MONOCOTYLEDONS. 285 



those of (1) a dry corm, (2) a bud on a dry corm, (3) a shoot 

 which has grown from a bud. 



306. The Crocus and Iris Family (Iridaceae) is easily 

 distinguished from other Monocotyledons by the petaloid 

 6-lobed perianth, the 3-chambered inferior ovary, and the 

 3 stamens. 



Examine the two common British species of Iris Yellow Flag 

 (7. pseudacorus) and Roastbeef Plant (/. foetidissima) or one of the 

 cultivated Irises. Note the very large petaloid stigmas (Fig. 107). 



307. Bluebell or Wild Hyacinth (Scilla nutans) is one 

 of the most familiar of spring-flowering plants. It grows 

 best in woods which are not too deeply shaded, but it sends 

 up its leaves and flowers early in the year, thus gaining the 

 benefit of the light and of insect- visits before too many other 

 plants have joined in the competition. By the end of May, 

 when the wood has become darker with the full foliage of 

 the trees, the Bluebell has ceased flowering. 



Note the long (9 to 18 ins.) and narrow (about ^ in.) leaves ; 

 the flowering shoot which grows, as a rule, beyond the 

 leaves ; the bell-shaped perianth, the six parts of which are 

 free, or joined only at the bases ; the stamens, one inserted 

 on the base of each perianth-leaf. Below each flower there 

 are paired bracts, which help to pack up and protect the 

 flowers in the bud-condition. Note the blue colour of bracts, 

 perianth, filaments, and pistil. The latter consists of a ribbed 

 ovary (cut it across and note the structure), style, and three- 

 lobed stigma (the lobes are often very faintly marked). 

 Honey is found along the grooves which run down the out- 

 side of the ovary ; the nectaries or honey -producing glands 

 are in the partitions between the three chambers of the ovary. 



The flowers are sometimes pink or even white, instead of 

 having the typical blue-purple colour. The flower-stalk is 

 erect until the flower opens; then it bends down and the 

 drooping flower is protected against rain, which would spoil 

 the pollen and honey ; finally, when the fruit is ripe the 

 stalk curves upwards again, so that the seeds are shaken out 

 gradually from the three slits into which the capsule 

 opens. 



