RanunculacecB 



157 



and removing the parts of another. The sepals are five (in 

 the order they vary from three to six, usually five), inferior. 

 Corolla usually of five petals (varies in order from three to 

 fifteen), hypogynous. (In some plants of the order, as Marsh- 

 marigold (iig. 287) and Anemone, the corolla is absent.) 

 Stamens numerous, hypogynous; carpels distinct, numerous, 

 superior (sometimes in the order they are few). Fruit, an 

 etario of achenes. Some Ranunculacese have follicles (figs. 265 

 and 294, II.). The flowers in the case of the Buttercup are 



II. 



Fig. 294. — yisx^-ra&ngoldi {Caltka ^ahtsiris). I. Part of plant. 

 II. Fruit, consisting of follicles. 



regular; in other cases, as in the Aconite (fig. 172) and Larkspur 

 (fig. 202), they are irregular. Plants of this order contain a 

 watery acrid juice which is often poisonous. They grow in 

 damp and marshy places, especially in the temperate regions. 



Principal Plants of the Order. 



Aconitum. The British plant, A. NapeJhis, the Monkshood, 

 is easily recognised by its hooded calyx (fig. 172), the petals 

 being small and developed as nectaries (fig. 203). The plant 

 is very poisonous : the root has been mistaken for Horse-radish 

 with fatal results ; it is, however, much more conical in shape. 

 It is most useful for medicinal purposes. 



Adonis, Pheasant's-eye (fig. 295). Much like the Buttercup, 

 but the petals are bright scarlet and have no nectaries at the 

 base. Flowers in the summer and early autumn in corn-fields. 



