SHAPE OF THE RECEPTACLE 



75 



Perigynous flowers (fig. io6).— The end of the flower-stalk of 

 some other flowers is hollowed out to form a basin-like or deep 

 urn-like concave receptacle. The carpels are attached to the 



Figs. 105-107. — Vertical sections of flowers, showing the shape of 

 the receptacle (r) which is shaded black : ow=ovary. 



I 



base (e.g. Cherry, fig. 177), to an outgrowth from the base 

 (e.g. Blackberry, fig. 173), or to the sides and base {e.g. Rose, 

 fig. 168), of the concavity, whilst the sepals and petals are 

 inserted on its rim. The flower is then perigynous; the 

 gynsecium is still described as superior. 



Epig3mous flowers (fig. 107). — Finally, there are flowers 

 possessing a receptacle which is hollowed, as in the perigynous 

 flowers, and the carpels are not only concealed in the concavity 

 thus formed, but they are actually fused with and coherent to 

 its sides. It thus becomes impossible to separate the wall of 

 the ovary (or ovaries) from the receptacle, and the sepals and 

 petals appear as if they were inserted upon the ovary (or 

 ovaries). The flower is then described as epigynous. The 

 gynKcium is, in this case, said to be inferior {e.g. Heracleum, 

 fig. 183; Daisy-family, figs. 202, 209, 211; Honeysuckle, fig. 

 199; Daffodil, fig. 215). It will be seen that the wall of an 

 inferior ovary really consists of portions of the carpels and of 

 the receptacle. 



Other peculiarities of insertion. — In hypogynous, perigynous, 

 and epigynous flowers, frequently the stamens are attached to 

 the petals {e.g. Primrose, Dead Nettle, Daisy-family) ; they are 

 then said to be epipetalous. When the stamens are inserted 

 on the perianth-leaves they are described as being epiphyllous 



