i 



A MANUAL OF BOTANY 69 



peculiar feature of form and foliage, and also of bark color. 

 Taste the bark. 



The iutiorescence is one of the type forms. What is it? 

 What is the size of the separjite tlowers ? (Some kinds 

 have the flowers in heads, surrounded by Umje colored bracts, 

 often mistaken for the flower.) 



Flower. Study the flower parts. What do you observe 

 about the se})als ? How are the petals arranged in tlie bud ? 

 Can you think of any advantages to the i)lant in having so 

 many small flowers clustered ? Make drawings showing a 

 diagram of inflorescence, a flower, and flower plan. 



Use. Read about the Black Gum tree or Tupelo; also 

 find out what you can about '' Kinnikinik " also the use of 

 these trees as ornamental forms for parks and lawns. 

 What particular value have the Siberian and the native red 

 dogwood as ornamental trees ? If possible, look carefully 

 at the common flowering dogwood flower, with its large 

 white or pink bracts looking like petals (petaloid bracts). 

 The ti-ue flowers are insignificant. What possible advan- 

 tage is such a scheme ? What use has the wood of this 

 tree? 



IG. Flowers, with United Petals (Gamopetalous, 



Sympetalous) of the Primrose Family — 



THE Shooting Star 



The plant habitat. This plant is very common in prairie 

 regions, often almost completely taking possession of the 

 ground. In many places it is found on the grassy "brows" 

 of bluffs and cliffs. Study it in its place of growth, if con- 

 venient. 



What leaf arrangement has this plant ? What is the 

 inflorescence ? What name do you apply to the common 

 flower stalk? What })osition have the flowers? What 

 position have the buds ? 



Flower. l^]xamine flowers as to color, form, and parts. 



