CHAPTER XIII 



ANGIOSPEBMS 



130. General characters. This is the greatest group of 

 plants, both in numbers and importance. It comprises 

 more than 100,000 species, and forms the most conspicuous 

 part of the vegetation of the earth. It includes herbs, 

 shrubs, and trees in profusion, and represents the plant 

 kingdom at i^s highest development. There is the greatest 

 possible variety in habit, size, and duration: from minute 

 floating forms to gigantic trees; erect, prostrate, and 

 climbing; aquatic, terrestrial, epiphytic; from a few days to 

 centuries in duration. 



The most striking feature of the Angiosperms to the 

 ordinary observer is that the majority of them produce 

 what every one recognizes as flowers; and hence they are 

 often spoken of as flowering plants. The production of 

 flowers, however, is not the real distinction of the group, 

 but it is a very prominent feature and suggests the group to 

 most people better than any other character. 



The general structure of the roots, stems, and leaves of 

 this great group was presented in Chapters II, III, and IV, 

 so that there remain for consideration the flower and the 

 structures associated with it. 



131. The flower. It is impossible and unnecessary 

 to define a flower, but it is not at all difficult to recognize 

 ordinary flowers. They are objects of such common ex- 

 perience that no one is at a loss to understand what is 

 meant when the word is used. The parts of a flower may 



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