360 



NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS, 



campanulate, has 3-5 valvate lobes, most frequently imbricate in a 

 variable manner (fig. 384, 385), and sometimes reflexed at anthesis. 

 The stamens, inserted near the bottom of the corolla, are five in 



Sambucus Ebulus. 



Fig. 383. Flower (f). 



Fig. 386. Long. sect, of flower. 



number, alternate with the lobes, each formed of a filament ^ and a 

 bilocular introrse anther dehiscing by two longitudinal clefts.^ The 

 summit of the inferior ovary is surmounted by a disk often reduced 



Sambucus canadensis. 



Fig. 384. Diagram 

 (flower with. 5-celled ovary). 



Fig. 385. Diagram 

 (flower with 3-celled ovary 3). 



to a thin glandular bed ; it is produced in a conical form and divided 

 above into 3-5 short stigmatiferous lobes. Corresponding to these 

 and to the lobes of the corolla (fig; 384) are as many cells each 

 containing a descending ovule, inserted near the summit, with 

 micropyle interior and superior, while the raphe is dorsal.* The 

 fruit is a drupe with 3-5 putamens more or less thick, enclosing each 

 a descending seed, the fleshy albumen of which surrounds an embryo 



* Sometimes rugose or slightly embossed. 

 • 2 The pollen according to H. Mohl {Ann. Sc. 

 Nat, ser. 2, iii. 324), is "ovoid, three-fold; in 

 water, spherical having three bands, with three 

 papillae {Vibumumy Sambucus).^' 



' More accurately the petals ought to be 

 united in figs. 367, 384, and 385. 



* It may ultimately deviate so that the raphe 

 may become lateral. The coat is single. 



