448 



UMBELLIFER^ 



pound umbel: the bracts of the involucre extend as far as or 

 beyond the flowers, and are pinnatifid, the segments very narrow 

 and acuminate. The umbellules have involucels of narrow, 

 or pinnatifid bracteoles. 



After flowering the outermost main branches of the compound 

 umbel curve inwards, and the whole inflorescence then forms a 

 hollow cup or nest-like structure. 



The flowers (i. Fig. 137) are epigynous : the calyx superior, con- 

 sisting of five short tooth-like sepals : the corolla is composed of 

 five white incurved petals alternating with the sepals (the petals 

 of the central flower of the umbel are often pink or reddish) ; the 



Fig. 137. — I. Flower of Carrot (Daucus Carota L.). c Minute sepal of calyx ;/S petal ; 

 o ovary ;_ st withered stamen ; d stylopodium ; j style and stigma. 



2. Fruit of Carrot. The ovary is covered with long spines and hairs. </ Stylopodium ■ 

 5 style and stigma. 



3. Transverse section (magnified) of ovary through Vmc A,B,d (2). / Primary ridges ; 

 s secondary ridges ; v vittje ; v6 vascular bundles ; e»t embyro of seed. 



andrcecium possesses five stamens, which set free their pollen 

 and fall away soon after the flower opens; the gynaecium is 

 inferior and syncarpous, consisting of two united carpels; the 

 upper part of the ovary has a white fleshy stylopodium which 

 bears two curved stigmas. 



The four secondary ridges on each carpel are more prominent 

 than the primary ones, and bear ten or twelve long spinous pro- 

 jections, on the end of which are three or four slightly hooked 



