XYI. PAP AVE II ACE jE. 



I. PLATYSTEMON SERIES. 



We shall, begin this order by the study of the genus Platystemon l 

 (figs. 108-111), which, by its gynseceum, presents us with a tran- 

 sition between Banunculacea and Papaveracece. The floral receptacle 



Plaiystemon californicus. 



Fig. 109, 

 Diagram, 



Fig. 111. 



Fruit (|). 



Fig. Ho. 

 Gynseceum ('■[■). 



forms a little platform, slightly depressed and cupuliform at the 

 apex. 2 This part is empty, while on the edges of the cupule are 

 inserted in due order a calyx and two corollas, all trimerous, and an 

 androceum and gynseceum, both formed of an indefinite number of 

 elements. The calyx is regular polysepalous and caducous, of con- 

 torted or imbricate pignoration. The petals are similar to one 

 another, twisted or imbricate, sessile ; the three outer alternate with 

 the sepals, to which the three inner are superposed. The stamens 

 are arranged in whorls of nine each ; 3 they are free, each formed of a 



1 Benth., in Trans. Jlort. Soc, ser. 2, i. 3 According to Pateb (Ice. cit., 220), " these 



405. — Endx., Gen., n. 4832. — Benth., in Lin- nine stamens make their appearance in two stages; 



ncea, xii. 661. — Payer, Organog., 217, t. 46. — first come six in pairs superposed to the outer 



B. H., Gen., 51, n. 1. petals, and then three each in front of an inner 



3 The top of the peduncle is slightly dilated petal." Some of the latter may be deduplicated. 

 below the insertion of the perianth. 



