Seed Plants : Angiosperms 



311 



the Easter lily, tulip, hyacinth, and narcissus are of com- 

 mercial importance because of their flowers. 



The orchid family. This is 

 a large family most abundant 

 in the tropics, and it includes 

 about a fifth of all the mono- 

 cots. In temperate America 

 there are many species grow- 

 ing in bogs, swamps, and 

 shaded woods, some of which 

 are noted for their beautiful 

 flowers. The pink moccasin 

 flower and the yellow lady's 

 slipper are examples. In the 

 tropics most of the species 

 found are epiphytes (page 

 189). These species are 

 world-renowned for their 

 marvelous shapes and for 

 the coloring of their flowers. 

 Among flower fanciers the 

 orchids are the most sought- 

 after plants, and prices of 



more than 1 1000 have been paid for single plants of the rarer 

 species. They hybridize freely, and there are innumerable 

 hybrid varieties in cultivation. 



Important families of the dicotyledons. This division of 

 the flowering plants contains over 200 families and more than 

 100,000 species. Consequently only a few conspicuous fami- 

 lies can be discussed here, and they will be dealt with briefly. 

 In this group belong our broad-leafed trees and shrubs, and 



Fig. 184. A tropical epiphytic orchid. 

 The orchids are noted for their varied and 



beautiful llowers. 



