40 8 



THE RANALES 



are regarded by some as modified stamens, as in the monkshood, 

 columbine, larkspur, etc. (Fig. 306, B). 



The parts of the perianth, which are more frequently in three's 

 or indefinite in number than in five's are also subject to consider- 



n 



FIG. 306. Modifications appearing in the Ranales : A, flower of Helle- 

 borus n, nectar glands due to modifications of stamens. B, columbine 

 n, honey leaves due to modifications of the petals or possibly of the 

 stamens. 



able variation. Very frequently the corolla is not developed or 

 partially suppressed, and the sepals become colored and petaloid, 

 as in the marsh marigold, hepatica, certain windflowers, rue, 

 spice bush, larkspur, etc. In a few of the genera the perianth 

 becomes greatly modified and even irregular, as in the columbine 

 (Fig. 306, B, n}, where five of the petals, often regarded as 

 modified stamens, are transformed into tubular honey leaves or 

 into spurs and hoods, as in the larkspur and monkshood (Fig. 

 307, B, D). These flowers illustrate very well the progressive 

 coloration that is often associated with the variation of the peri- 

 anth. The simpler forms are usually yellow or white, while 

 flowers with more highly modified parts are pink and pale blue 

 (columbine), blue in higher types (larkspur) and ultra-marine 

 blue in the most irregular and highly modified type (monks- 

 hood). Any of these flowers may take on by reversion the lower 

 grades of color, so that a blue-colored form may vary and its 

 offspring may produce white or yellow flowers, as in the colum- 



