The polypetalous corolla is saucer-shaped, about 1 cm. 
across (Fig. 2); and white, or more rarely pink. The filaments 
are white. The flower of the broad-leaved form has five to ten 
stamens; the number varies because some of the antipetalous 
stamens, which are always shorter than the antisepalous, 
are often suppressed; in the flower of the narrow-leaved form 
(f. decumbens), the number of the stamens is generally ten." 
The filaments are glabrous except in the lower part, a short 
distance above the base, where they are covered with short 
projecting hairs (Fig. 2 B, F); these hairs probably serve to 
retain the honey. The anthers are glabrous and have no 
appendages (Fig. 2 B, G, H). 
Fig. 2. A-H, Ledum palustre f. groenlandica; I, L. palustre var. decumbens. 
(From West Greenland; July, 11, and 12, 1884.) 
A, Open flower. B, Stamens and pistil of a completely closed bud; the pores are open. 
C, Pollen tetrad. D, Stigma seen from above. Z, Base of the pistil. 7, Base of a filament. 
G, H, Anthers. J, Open flower. (E. W., 1885.) 
The plant is protogynous for a short time and then homo- 
gamous. The pores at the apex of the anthers are open in the 
bud while the latter is still quite closed, and while the stamens 
as yet are highly twisted and lie close to the pistil (Fig. 2 B 
1 Unlike BERGGREN (Fanerogamfloran, p. 856) I have been unable to find 
any constant difference between the flowers of the narrow-leaved forms 
and those of the broad-leaved (Fig. 2 A shews that of f. grönlandica, 
with 6 stamens and Fig. I that of f. decumbens). 
