I70 MONOCOTYLEDONS 



bracts. Flower (fig. 213) actinomorphic, $, cyclic, hypo- 

 gynous. Perianth {F, p) 3 + 3, brightly coloured, combined to 

 form a single tube with six free segments. Stamens (a) 3 + 3, 

 inserted on the perianth-tube ; anthers introrse. Carpels three, 

 syncarpous, superior; ovary (pv) three-chambered, placenta axile, 

 with a number of ovules in each chamber ; style, one ; stigma, 

 three-lobed. Pollination. — The flower-buds are directed up- 

 wards, but they bend downwards as they open. This pendulous 

 position of the flowers serves to protect the pollen. Apparently 

 no honey is excreted ; probably long-tongued insects stab the 

 fleshy parts of the perianth and suck the juice. The stamens 

 and carpels ripen simultaneously. Fruit a three-valved capsule 

 dehiscing along the dorsal sutures. Seeds numerous, endo- 

 spermic. Dissemination. — After pollination, as the fruit ripens, 

 each flower-stalk once more bends upwards and straightens. 

 The ripe capsules consequently become erect, and the seeds 

 do not drop down immediately round the parent plants (as 

 ttjey would if the capsule were pendulous), but are wafted away 

 by the wind. 



OTHER TYPES, USES, etc. of Liliace^. 



The Asparagus has certain slender gi-een stems and definite 

 green branches, which might be mistaken for leaves.. The 

 leaves assume the form of minute pale scales, in whose axils 

 the green branches arise. The edible parts of the Asparagus 

 are the succulent basal shoots which just protrude above the 

 soil. The Asparagus has small flowers, which are frequently 

 diclinous; its fruits are berries. The Lily-of-the- Valley {Con- 

 vallarid) possesses a sympodial rhizome and a raceme of 

 pendulous white flowers, which, in their main features, agree 

 with those of the Hyacinth. Onions and Garlic are cultivated 

 for the sake of their bulbs. The Bluebell, Tulip, Lilies, Fritil- 

 laries, Meadow Saffron are familiar plants belonging to this 

 family. 



AMARYLLIDACEiE (Daffodil Family) 



The characters are practically the same as those of the Lily- 

 family, except that the flowers are epigynous : P3 -h 3 A3 -I- 3 

 G(3). 



