Complete and Perfect Flowers 



lor 



in some flowers of the Ash, both coats may be absent. An 

 imperfect flower is one where there is only one whorl of the 

 essential organs, as in the Hazel and Oak. 



It follows that every complete flower must be perfect, but every 

 perfect flower is not necessarily complete ; on the other hand, every 

 imperfect flower must be incomplete, but every incomplete flower 

 is not imperfect. 



Perfect flowers are sometimes spoken of as hermaphrodite. 



Imperfect flowers are either 

 stamiaate (fig. i6o) if the 

 pistil be absent, or pistillate 

 (fig. i6i) if the stamens be 

 absent. 



Fig. i6o.— Staminate ($ ) flower 

 of Callitriche vema^ with two 

 sickle-shaped bracts. 



Fig. i6i.— Pistillate (9) flower 

 oi Callitriche verna. 



Fig. 162. — The Hazel {Corylus 

 Avellana) : branch with male 

 and female flowers. 



If Staminate and pistillate flowers grow upon the same 

 plant, as in the Hazel (fig. 162), Oak, and Birch, the plant js 



