RANUNCULACE^E. 39 



Plate 14. 

 AQUILEGIA, Tourn. 



Calyx 5-sepalus, petaloideus, regularis, deciduus. Petala 

 5, consimilia, margine limbi oblicpii affixa, inter sepala deor- 

 sura in calcar cavum infundibuliforme l.onge producta. Fol- 

 liculi 5, conniventes, sessiles, polyspermi. — Caiiles panicu- 

 lato-ramosi : folia bi - triternata. 



Aquilegia, Toum. Inst. t. 242. Linn. Gen. 6S4. Gaertn. Fr. t. 11$. 

 DC. Syst. 1. p. 333. Endl. Gen. 4795. 



Columbine. 



Calyx petaloid, regular, imbricated in aestivation : sepals 

 5, spreading, ovate or oblong, deciduous. Petals 5, all sim- 

 ilar in size and shape, hypogynous, inserted by the inner 

 margin or lip of the oblique expanded limb, alternate with 

 the sepals, and produced backwards between them into a 

 long infundibuliform-tubular spur. Stamens indefinite, hy- 

 pogynous, obscurely collected into 5 to 10 clusters : fila- 

 ments filiform and elongated ; some of the innermost abor- 

 tive, destitute of anthers, and converted into membranaceous 

 scales which collectively surround the ovaries : anthers 

 oval, innate, the cells opening lengthwise laterally. Pistils 

 usually 5, sessile, erect or appressed : ovary cylmdraceous, 

 one-celled, many-ovuled : style filiform, elongated : stigma 

 unilateral at the apex. Ovules indefinite, occupying the 

 whole length of the ventral suture in two series, horizontal, 

 anatropous ; the raphes collateral. 



Follicles usually 5, sessile, erect and appressed, nearly 

 cylindrical, veiny, tipped with the slender persistent styles, 

 dehiscent through the ventral suture from the apex down- 

 ward. Seeds numerous, in two series, horizontal, small, 

 oval, smooth and shining ; the crustaceous testa conformed 

 to the nucleus. Embryo minute, at the base of the corneous- 

 nVshy albumen, cordate ; the radicle next the hilum. 



