1 64 SHEPHERDS-PURSE. 



When not flowering, the plant consists of a rosette of 

 notched leaves lying flat upon the ground. From this 

 rosette there arises a flowering stalk upon which are 

 a few scattered leaves and the many small white flowers. 

 The seed-pods are triangular heart-shaped structures 

 that serve well to distinguish the plant from all others. 

 The plant is most abundant in spring and early summer, 

 but can be found in bloom throughout the warm months, 

 and may be quite readily grown in the greenhouse for 

 winter use. 



In order to study the leading family characters as 

 shown by this plant and to determine its classification 

 only gross structures need be considered. 



LABORATORY WORK. 



I. THE PLANT BODY. Observe: 



1. The main root from which arise 



2. The secondary roots. 



3. The stem and its branches. 



4. The leaves. 



a. The rosette leaves, their general position, and their 

 arrangement enabling all or nearly all to receive light. 



b. The leaves on the upright stem, their form and size as 

 compared with the rosette leaves. Note the differences 

 in leaves on different parts of the stem. 



II. THE FLOWERS. Observe: 



1. Calyx; size, form, and number of sepals. 



2. Corolla; size, form, and number of petals. Are they alter- 

 nate or opposite the sepals ? 



3. Stamens; size and relative length; number of cycles of 



