4i6 THE LILIALES 



presents several features of special interest. The flower is later- 

 ally placed or slightly pendulous. The perianth is conspicuously 

 developed, consisting of two whorls of three numbers each though 

 these organs are not as yet fully differentiated into calyx and 

 corolla. The stamens are also arranged in two whorls of three 

 members each and the three carpels form a single whorl appearing 

 as a compound pistil. The members of these whorls alternate 



Fig. 288. Lower forms of the Liliales: A, a common rush, Juncus, show- 

 ing grass-like appearance of the stem and inflorescence. B, a flower enlarged, 

 showing a lily type. C, white hellebore, Veratrum. D, flower enlarged, 

 showing the partial coherence of the carpels of this primitive type of the 

 Liliales. 



