54 PHARMACEUTICAL BOTANY 



leaves of pale green color mottled with purple and white, and later, a 

 flower stalk (scape), which bears upon its summit a single yellow, 

 nodding flower, which is often marked with purple stripes. The 

 flower consists of a torus or receptacle which will be observed as the 

 upper swollen end of the flower stalk (scape). Inserted upon it, 

 passing from periphery toward the center, will be noted four whorls 

 of floral leaves which, in order, are calyx, corolla, andrcecium and 

 gyncecium. The calyx is composed of three lance-shaped and re- 

 curved yellow parts called sepals] the corolla of three similarly 

 looking parts called petals which alternate in position with the sepals. 

 Both of these whorls are collectively called the perianth or floral 

 envelope. The androecium or male system of organs is composed 

 of two whorls or circles of structures called microsporophylls or 

 stamens. There are three stamens in each whorl. The outer whorl 

 of stamens will be found opposite the sepals while the inner will be 

 observed opposite the petals. Each stamen (microsporophyll) con- 

 sists of an awl-shaped stalk or filament bearing upon its summit an 

 oblong-linear body called an anther. The anther consists of two 

 lobes called microsori. Each lobe or microsorus contains two anther 

 sacs or micros porangia in which when mature are to be found micro- 

 spores or pollen grains. In the center of ihe flower will be noted 

 the gynoecium or female system of organs. This, upon dissection, 

 will be found to consist of three fused carpellary leaves termed mega- 

 sporophylls (carpels) forming a somewhat flask-shaped structure 

 called a pistil-. The swollen basal portion of the pistil is called the 

 ovary; the stalk which arises from it is called the style and the knob- 

 like viscid summit of the style is termed the stigma. 



Microscopical examination of sections of the ovary will reveal it 

 to be composed of three chambers called locules, within each of which 

 are to be noted several inverted ovules. Each of these ovules is 

 developed upon a nourishing tissue termed "placenta" which con- 

 nects the ovules to the inner angle of the wall of the locule. The 

 ovule is composed of a central prominent megasporangium or nucellus 

 which is almost completely invested by two upgrown integuments 

 or coverings. The opening between the tips of the inner integument 

 is called the micropyle (little gate). This is the gateway for the 

 entrance of the pollen tube on its way to the nucellus. It is also 



