50 REPRESENTATIVE PLANTS 



2. The Hazel 



Statement. The Hazel is a member of the Birch family 

 and is an easily obtained shrub growing abundantly in 

 thickets. It is in bloom about the time of the willow. 

 In this shrub the flowers are not borne on separate plants 

 (dioecious), but both kinds are found on different parts of 

 the same plant {monrjecious). 



Staminate catkins. Examine the staminate catkin and 

 observe its form, color, and position on the branch ; also the 

 separate scales, sporophylls, that make up the catkin. Draw 

 a catkin natural size. 



Examine a single scale (?n) and find the stamens. How 

 many are there? Plow do they compare with the willow 

 stamens in size and parts ? Draw a single scale with its 

 stamens (in). 



Examine the pollen Qip) and sketch. 



Pistillate flowers. Look along the twig for small red 

 clusters of pistillate flowers. How are they surrounded ? 

 Examine (m) the pistils and stigmas. 



Sketch a pistillate cluster (m). 



Dissect a cluster and examine a single flower (m) or (Jp). 

 Try to determine its parts. Sketch. 



Other work. Recall, if you have seen them, the full-grown 

 hazelnuts in their "shucks" that are the result of the 

 growth, after fertilization, of these pistillate flowers. Oak, 

 chestnuts, and various other trees have similar flower ar- 

 rangements, and all belong to two closely related families, 

 the Birch and the Beech. What useful trees are found here ? 

 How many kinds of oaks do you know ? When does the 

 oak blossom ? How long does it take an oak acorn to ripen ? 



Final statement. The willow, hazel, and many related 

 forms belong to some lower orders of dicotyledons, having 

 one or both kinds of flowers in catkins or aments (another 

 term for pussy). All, with one or two exceptions, are spring 



