CROWFOOT OR BUTTERCUP FAMILY 481 
plants are like those of the preceding families in character of 
the ovary and seeds but differ from them in having a perianth 
differentiated into a showy corolla 
and a large calyx (Fig. 426). They 
are regarded as a transition group 
between the Apetalac and Poly- 
petalae. Among them are some 
garden favorites, such as the Carna- 
tions, Pinks, Sweet Williams, and 
Lychnis, and also some weeds of 
which the Chickweeds, Corn Cockle, 
Cow-herb, and Bouncing Bet are 
common ones. 
Polypetalae 
As previously stated the Poly- 
petalae have petals and the petals 
are generally separate. The colored 
corolla is usually distinct from the 
green calyx, and the flowers are pol- 
linated chiefly by insects. Among 
the lower families of the Polypeta- 
Fic. 426.— A portion of a 
plant of Corn’ Cockle (Agro- 
stemma Githago) (X34). The 
flowers have a perianth consist- 
ing of a calyx and showy corolla. 
Modified from Beal. 
lae, as the Buttercups (Ranunculaceae) illustrate, the flower usu- 
ally has numerous stamens and 4 number 
rangement. 
of separate pistils. The calyx and corolla 
are also attached below the stamens and 
pistils or, in other words, the flowers are 
hypogynous. 
vanced families of the Polypetalae, the 
number of stamens and carpels become 
more definite, and assume the cyclic ar- 
There is also a tendency for 
In passing to the more ad- 
the carpels to join and a tendency of the 
Fig. 427. — A flower 
of a Buttercup, showing 
the many stamens and families. 
flower toward epigyny in the higher 
visti, 2; Crowfoot or Buttercup Family (Ranun- 
culaceae). — This family includes numer- 
ous species, mostly herbs, having in common separate petals, 
and separate sepals. The stamens and commonly the carpels 
