SEED-BEARING PLANTS 459 



407. Lizard j s-tail Family (Saururacese). The lizard's 

 tail (Saururus cernuus), closely related to the willows, 

 has apetalous but .perfect flowers, borne sessile on a moder- 

 ately long, common axis, called a spike (Figs. 342 and 343). 

 There are three to five more or less united ovaries. The 

 plant is commonly found in swamps and marshes. 



FIG. 342. Lizard's-tail (Saururus cernuus). 

 POLYPETAL.E 



408. Crowfoot Family (Ranunculacese). The Latin 

 name Ranunculus (little frog) was applied to the butter- 

 cups by the ancient Roman naturalist Pliny, because they 

 are common in wet places where frogs abound. The name 

 of the family is derived from this generic name, but the 

 family comprises about 35 genera, 28 of which occur in 



