Classification of Plants 207 



Class I. — Monocotyledons. 



A. Flowers with marked indefiniteness in the 

 number of flower parts. 

 B. Perianth as a rule absent (Achlamydeous), 

 either as a primitive condition or by 

 loss of perianth formerly present in 

 earlier related types ; when present ill- 

 defined and consisting of bristles or 

 scales. Wind pollinated. 

 C. Stamens and carpels showing great varia- 

 tion in number ; apocarpous, or car- 

 pels more or less joined and at length 

 separating ; 1-4, each i-ovuled; 

 spathe wanting, aquatic or marsh 

 plants. 

 Perianth of bristles, flower spikes on 

 long scapes, staminate above, pistil- 

 late below ...... TvPHACE.E. 



Perianth none, or tubular, or of three or 



six valvate segments ; habit various . Naiadace,^. 

 CC. Stamens usually definite, carpels syn- 

 carpous. 

 Seed-coat fused with ovary ; leaf sheath 



split, ligule present .... Gkaminace.^. 



Seed-coat free from ovarv ; leaf sheath 



not split, ligule absent . . . Cyperace.^. 



BB. Perianth as a rule present, or absent 

 through reduction ; inflorescence sub- 

 tended by bracts ; stamens and carpels 

 as a rule definite ; usually insect pol- 

 linated. 

 Plants with root stock, spathe conspicuous Arace.e. 

 Minute floating plants, spathe incon- 

 spicuous ...... Lemnace.e. 



AA, Flowers of five whorls prevailing, each whorl 

 usually 3-parted. 

 B. Perianth with sepals and petals similar 

 (Homochlamydeous). 

 C. Perianth bracteoid or sepaloid, hypo- 

 g^'nous. 

 D. Carpels apocarpous, i-seeded, en- 

 dosperm cartilaginous, horny or 

 oily. 

 Dicecious trees with unbranched 



stems and pinnate leaves . . Palm-^. 



DD. Carpels syncarpous. 



