70 REPRESENTATIVE PLANTS 



How many divisions on each whorl ? Observe carefully 

 the corolla. How are the petals related to each other? 

 Flowers of this character with the petals more or less in 

 one j)iece are gamopetalous or symiietalous. In what direc- 

 tion do the petals point ? Look at the stamens. Upon 

 what are they borne ? AVhat i)ositions do they occupy with 

 reference to the petal lobes ? 



Draw a diagram of the inflorescence and the flower plan 

 and a side view of the flower. 



Read in reference books the subject, " Primrose," particu- 

 larly the English forms. What are cowslips ? 



Prairies. What are prairies ? How is their presence 

 exjdained? What part of the United States is largely 

 prairie ? Why did the Indian and the old settler burn the 

 prairie ? When was it done, and what effect had this on 

 plant life ? Why do prairie flowers differ so markedly from 

 woodland species. If possible, compare the wood phlox and 

 the prairie phlox, or compare Other related species of the 

 two localities or environments. What is meant by the 

 latter term ? 



17. The Peculiar, Highly Specialized Flowers of 

 THE Milkweed Family — Milkweed (Asclepias) - 



Forms. The true milkweeds form a large group of plants 

 having very characteristic features, but most of the species 

 bloom too late to permit them to be in condition for school 

 study. There are a number of June-flowering forms, how- 

 ever, and the genus has such remarkable specialization for 

 insect pollination that an examination of the flowers will 

 be amply repaid. The instructor may have to explain the 

 complicated pollination mechanism, as the flower is very 

 difficult for the student to master. 



The plant. Examine the plant and observe the character 

 and arrangement of the leaves. Observe the peculiar sap 

 (latex). What is its color and consistency ? Touch the 



