54 



THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



doubtless continue to be listed under the old and well known 

 name. Clcoine pungens, then, is a plant of tropical America 

 but it thrives in gardens as far north as Canada and from mid- 

 summer till frost displays in profusion its large rose-purple or 

 white flowers. These open about sunset and last until a new 

 set opens the following day. 



The opening of the flower, how^ever, is noi such rapid pro- 

 cess as may be witnessed in many species, the evening primrose 

 for example, where the petals and sepals may be seen to spread 

 open with a snap at the proper moment. In fact, the opening 

 may be said to be a matter of several days' duration. The 



petals early outgrow the sepals, but before they are unfurled 

 the impatient stamens have begun to back out of their embrace 

 and the curved filaments projecting from the bud may be con- 

 spicuous for a day or more before the flower is fully spread. 

 The stamens always push out on the under side of the flower, 

 being guided in this direction by the arrangement of the petals 

 which, though set in a circle on the receptacle, nevertheless have 

 slightly more space between the two on the lower side. Coinci- 

 dent with the opening of the petals a large drop of nectar 



The flower suggests a spider. 



