24 



GLOSSARY OF 



THE FLOWER. 

 Parts : 



Calvx ; the outer set of flower-leaves, usually green or green- 

 ish^ as in Buttercup (Fig. 110 1. 



The pieces of which the calj'x is made ui> are called 

 sepals. 



Corolla : the second set of flower-leaves, immediately within 

 the calyx, and usuallj' some other colour than green 

 (Fig. 110). 



The pieces of which the corolla is made up are called 

 Fetals. 



These two sets taken together are known as the Floral 

 Envelopes, and also as the Perianth, but the latter term 

 is generally restricted to the flowers of Monocotyledons, 

 such as Lilies, where the parts are very much alike. 

 Some flowers of Dicot3'ledons, such as Marsh-Marigold 

 (Fig. Ill), have only one set of floral envelopes, and this 

 is then neai-ly alwaj's the calyx, no matter what its 

 colour is. 



Stajiexs or AxDRfECiUM : the third set of flower-leaves, 

 appearing as thread-like stalks with thickened ends (Fig. 

 112). These produce the pollen. 



PisriL or Gyxcecium : the central organ of the flower which 

 bears the seed. It may be in several pieces, as in Butter- 

 cup (Fig. 113), or in one piece as in Shepherd's Purse 

 (Fig. 114). 



These last two sets taken together are the Essential 

 Organs of the flower. Thej' alone are directly concerned 

 in the production of seed. The floral envelopes protect 

 the essential organs, and attract insects which help to 

 distribute the pollen. 



Receptacle : the enlarged top of the peduncle to which the 

 parts of the flower ai'e attached. 

 Note also the following points : Flowers are 



(a) Perfect, if they have both stamens and pistil, 

 whether cal^^x and corolla are present or not. 



(b) Imperfbict, if either stamens or pistil is wanting. 

 And imperfect flowers are 



(1) S'taminate, if they bear stamens, but not pistil, 

 as in Willow (Fig. 115). 



(2) Pistillate, if they bear pistils, but not stamens, 

 as in Willow (Fig. IIG). 



(3) Neutral, if both stamens and pistil are absent. 



(4) Moj}OZ:ious, when staminate and pistillate flowers 

 are borne on the same plant, as in Cucumber and 

 Indian Corn. 



Corolla. 



Caly.x. 

 Peduncle. 



Fig. 110. 



Fig. 111. 



Fig. 112. 



Fig. 113. 



Fig. 114. 



Fir. 11.0. 



Fii,'. lli>. 



