SPECIAL EXERCISES ON TYPICAL FLOWERS 201 



173. THE BUTTERCUP OR ANEMONE 



There are many species of buttercup, and they differ so 

 in habit of growth that no exact outline can be laid down 

 for their study. The leaf is very different in different 

 species and the stem may be bulbous, erect, creeping, etc. 

 But the flowers are all essentially alike. 



What is the character of the stem? Is it erect, creeping, 

 bulbous, etc. ? Is it smooth or rough, silky or downy ? 

 Are the leaves opposite or alternate? How are they di- 

 vided? Draw a leaf. Are the upper leaves like the lower 

 ones? If not, draw one of each sort. Study a flower and 

 draw one. Is it complete or incomplete? Describe each 

 kind of organ found. 



How many sepals? Their shape? How many petals? 

 Their shape and any other characteristics? Remove a 

 petal and draw it. Look for a scale or nectary at or near 

 its base. Its use? How many stamens? How many 

 pistils? Describe one pistil. Has it all parts? If not, 

 which part is missing? 



Are the petals opposite or alternate with the sepals? 

 Draw a section through a flower, showing all parts in posi- 

 tion. Draw a plan of the flower, showing each floral 

 circle. 



In a bud or very young flower notice how the petals are 

 arranged with reference to each other. Are any of the petals 

 entirely outside the others (imbricate), or how are they ar- 

 ranged ? Indicate this on the floral plan. 



Note. The buttercup is the representative of a great family 

 of plants, the crowfoot family. 



Suggestion Study the flowers of clematis, anemone, 

 hepatica, columbine, and larkspur for comparison. Most 



