84 REPRESENTATIVE PLANTS 



collections of plants, growing in a given habitat, are called 

 associations. 



The plant body. Observe the peculiarities of the plant form 

 and growth : habit, unbranched or branched, low or tall ; 

 leafiness varying in degree ; dry and harsh with scurf, 

 down, hair or bristles, or smooth ; color of various shades 

 of green, yellow, brown, or red ; the size, form, and division 

 of the root. 



The leaf. Observe the size, form, and color of the expanded 

 blade, the degree of division, and the arrangement on the 

 stem. Crush the leaf to discover if there is any odor. Exam- 

 ine carefully with the lens to see whether the surface is 

 smooth or is covered with projections (scurf, hair, or bris- 

 tles) ; observe the method of attachment of the blade to the 

 stem by means of a longer or shorter stalk, or directly, 

 without this structure. 



Inflorescence. Observe the inflorescence or flower bearing . 

 i.e. flowers borne singly or in clusters of various size 

 and shape (each cluster having a special name). Diagrams 

 will enable you to decide which form your plant possesses. 

 These may be drawn by the instructor. 



In position the inflorescence is terminal, on stem or branch, 

 thus halting further growth for that year, or it is axillary 

 and does not so affect the plant. Observe the relation 

 between the size of the flower and the size and kind of 

 inflorescence. What forms would favor large flowers ? 



The flower. (The flower is treated of in detail and rela- 

 tionship in Part I.) Observe the form, size, color, odor, and 

 number; beginning below, or on the outside of a flower, 

 note the different series of parts, each bearing a technical 

 name: (a) sepal, (h) petal, (c) stamen, (d) pistil ; observe 

 also the difference in form and color between the members 

 of the various series. 



Drawings to be made. 1. The whole plant, if small, or a 

 leafy branch, if large. 



