ASH 



57 



ultimate branchlets end in the flowers, of which a very large 

 number are borne on each inflorescence. The flowers themselves 



11 



FlG. 14. The Ash. I, End of shoot in spring, showing the terminal bud 

 and two inflorescences ; 2, 3, flowers with both stamens and pistils ; 

 4, pistillate flower with stamens which do not open ; 5, one of these 

 stamens ; 6, staminate, or male flower, with rudiment of the pistil ; 

 7, male flower with no trace of pistil ; 8, 9, the anther seen from back 

 and front ; 10, ripe fruit opened to show the seed ; n, young fruit, 

 showing the attachment of the ovule; 12, sterile fruit; 13, the four 

 ovules from a young fruit, one of them is enlarging to form the seed ; 

 14, the young seed. (After Schumann.) 



are individually inconspicuous and of very simple construction. 

 The most complete flowers consist of two stamens and a pistil 



