APETAL/E— CUPULIFER^ 



109 



branch has no foliage-leaves, but it bears on its basal parts a 

 number of scales, whilst its 

 terminal portion is a staminate 

 inflorescence (catkin). In ad- 

 dition, lateral catkins may arise 

 in the axils of one or two of 

 the higher scales of this dwarf- 

 branch. The scales soon drop 

 off. Thus, when we examine 

 the Hazel-trees flowering in 

 February (see fig. 131), we find 

 the staminate catkins ( c? ) are 

 arranged, usually several to- 

 gether, on short branches of 

 the previous year's stem : the 

 catkins rest naked through the 

 winter. The buds ( $ ) enclos- 

 ing the carpellary flowers now 

 show that they are not vegeta- 

 tive resting-buds, a tuft of red 

 stigmas protrudes from their 

 tips. These buds also stand 

 laterally on a part of the stem 

 which was formed in the pre- 

 vious year; also occasionally 

 in the axils of the basal scales 

 of the dwarf- branch which 

 bears the catkins. 



Staminate Inflorescence 

 (fig. 131^). — The inflores- 

 cence consists essentially of a 

 number of bracts and axillary 

 flowers, which are spirally ar- 

 ranged on a long axis. There 

 is one flower in connection with 

 each bract. Two prophylls 

 (fig. 132, pr), representing the 

 first two leaves on the flower- 

 stalk, are present, but are 

 fused with the bract {br), for 

 no flower-stalk occurs. The staminate flower (fig. 132) con 



Fig. 131.— Shoot of Hazel bearing in- 

 florescences. The stem fromthe scale-scars 

 (jc) was produced in the previous'year. The 

 dotted leaves have fallen off; i/=vegetative 

 buds. 



