CHAP, xxvin DRY DEHISCENT FRUITS 117 



METHODS OF DEHISCENCE 



The fruit produced by the ripening of a compound pistil 

 is called a capsule, if dry and dehiscent. The capsules open 

 to release the seeds in several different ways. 



IV. Loculicidal Dehiscence. Take capsules of Iris, 

 Funkia or Day Lily, Althaea, Hibiscus, Gerardia, etc., which 

 have split open and notice how the splitting has taken place. 



1. The splitting is longitudinal. 



2. The split is directly along the middle line of the outer 



wall of one of the cells (loculi) of the capsule. 



3. The partitions remain coherent with the outer walls and 



separate from one another at the centre. 



4. Make a diagram or rather a ground plan to show 



this method of dehiscence. 



V. Septdcidal Dehiscence. Take capsules of Azalea 

 Rhododendron, Turtle Head ( Chelone) , or St. John's Wort, 

 which have split open and notice how the splitting has taken 

 place. 



1. The splitting is longitudinal. 



2. Each partition (septum] is split into two thin pieces. 



3. The partitions remain adherent to the outer walls and 



separate from each other at the centre. 



4. Make a ground plan of this method of dehiscence and 



show how it differs from the loculicidal method. 



VI. Septifragal Dehiscence. Take capsules of the 

 Morning Glory which have become thoroughly dried, but 

 which are either just splitting or which are still whole, 



