56 



THE FLOWER 



are practically alike in both shape and color; while in other 

 flowers there is no corolla. When the corolla is missing, the 

 calyx may be green, but it is usually of some other color which 

 deceives many observers into believing it to be the corolla. The 

 common hepatica and the wind flower are good examples of 

 flowers with colored calyx and no corolla. 



When the corolla alone is absent, the flower is described 

 as apetalous {i.e., without petals). Some plants have flowers 



Fig. 42. — Diagrammatic drawing and cross-section of a lily. 

 Fig. 43. — Diagrammatic longitudinal and cross-sections of a pea blossom. 



with neither calyx nor corolla, but these incomplete flowers are 

 just as important in the life history of the plant as the very 

 complicated and highly colored flowers of other species. 



The stamens in most flowers are distinct and have no external 

 resemblance to leaves, but in some flowers the gradual transi- 

 tion from petals to stamens is so apparent as to leave no doubt 

 whatever as to origin, even in the mind of the most casual 

 observer. This is especially well illustrated in the white water 

 lilies. In a state of nature, we sometimes find flowers in which 

 the petals assume stamen character or the stamens tend to 



