XV. SPECIAL EXERCISES ON TYPICAL FLOWERS 



170. TRILLIUM 



This is a particularly good flower for beginners, since its 

 structure is so simple and all its parts are so large and dis- 

 tinct. It may be found in damp, rich woods, in spring, 

 almost everywhere. 



Method. Procure if possible one entire plant, so as to 

 describe all parts. Does it spring from a rootstock or bulb? 

 Reasons for your an- 

 swer. Are the roots 

 fleshy or fibrous ? 

 Study the aerial por- 

 tion. Is the stem 

 monocotyl or dicotyl 

 in structure? Reasons 

 for your judgment. 

 What is the arrange- 

 ment of leaf? Num- 

 ber, veining, shape, FIG. 86. Trillium. 



and Outline Of leaves ? (Photographed by W. C. Barbour.) 



Note length and position of the flower stalk. Of how many 

 sepals does the calyx consist? Their shape and color? 

 How many petals? Their shape, color, and size? How 

 many stamens? Describe them. Remove all parts and 

 study the pistil. Is it simple (consisting of only one carpel) 

 or compound (composed of several united carpels) ? This can 

 be told by the number of stigmas, styles, or lobes of the ovary. 



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