TAXONOMY 



307 



modified and fused with two outer petaloid stamens as a labellum 

 or lighting-board for insects. Third stamen of outer whorl fertile 

 (Orchidea) or a barren knob (Cypripedice) ; pollen of fertile anther ag- 

 glutinate as pollinia. Three stamens of inner circle barren and 

 petaloid or one absent (Cypripedia). Stamens all epigynous and 



p 



r 



FIG. 170. Floral organs of an orchid (Cattleya sp.). A, the entire flower; sep, 

 sepal; pet, petal; B, column, showir.g s, stigma and r, the rostellum (beak), with 

 the small glands at the tip; to the glands are attached the four strap-shaped 

 caudicles of the pollinia; C, pollinia, with the four caudicles; below, the gland; D, 

 longitudinal section of the column; p, pollinium; E, the same, enlarged. (Gager.) 



often three are fused with the style as gynandrium. Carpels three, 

 syncarpous, with inferior, three rarely four, one (usually)- celled 

 ovary. Fruit a capsule, three-valved and one-celled. Seeds minute, 

 abundant and wind disseminated. 



