278 



DICOTYLEDONS. 



LEGUMINOS^e. 



534. Lesson XIV. The pea family (papilionaceae). — This 

 family is well represented by the common pea. The flower is 



Fig. 368. 

 Details of pea flower; section of flower, perianth removed to show the diadelphous 

 stamens, one single one, and nine in the other group. (From Warming.) 



butterfly-like ot papilionaceous, and the showy part is made up of 

 the five petals. The petals have received distinct names here 

 because of the position and form in the 

 flower. At fig. 369 the petals are separated 

 and shown in their corresponding posi- 

 tions, and the names are there given. The 

 flower is irregular and the parts are in fives, 

 except the carpel, which is single. The 

 calyx is gamosepalous (coherent), the 

 corolla polypetalous (distinct). The ten 

 stamens are in two groups, one separate 

 stamen and nine united ; they are thus 

 diadelphous (two brotherhoods). The 

 fruit form.s a pod or legume, and at petals forming keel, 

 maturity splits along both edges. 



535. There are three families in the legume-bearing plants : 

 ist, including the locusts, cassias, etc.; 2d, the pea family, in- 

 cluding peas, beans, clovers, ground-nuts, or peanuts, vetches 

 aesmodium, etc.; 3d, including the sensiti\'e plants like mimosa. 



Fig. 369. 

 Corolla of pea. 5, stand- 

 wings ; A", 



