INTRODUCTION 
inferior , the corolla and stamens are hypogynous (Greek viro, hupo , under ; 
ywrj, gune , a woman), the carpels are superior , and the flower as a whole is 
called thalamiforal. If, as in the Bramble or the Strawberry, the calyx, 
corolla, and stamens are carried out from under the carpels by a horizontal 
disk-like extension of the receptacle, or if, as in the Plums or the Roses, 
sepals, petals, and stamens are carried up on a tube-like expansion of the 
receptacle which does not adhere to the sides of the carpels, the calyx is 
still termed inferior and the carpels superior, the petals and stamens being 
perigynous (Greek ire. pi, peri-, round; yvurj, gune, a woman). If, as in the 
Apple, the Pear, and the Hawthorn, this receptacular tube does adhere to 
the sides of the carpels, the calyx becomes superior , and the ovary formed 
by the carpels is inferior, petals and stamens being still perigynous. If, 
lastly, as in the Families Compositce and Umbelliferce, this adherent tube 
carries the sepals, petals, and stamens on to the top of the ovary, the calyx 
is superior, the ovary inferior, and the petals and stamens epigynous (Greek 
eVt, epi-, upon). When petals and stamens are perigynous or epigynous the 
flower is sometimes called calycifloral, from the mistaken interpretation of 
the structure as being a springing of petals and stamens from the calyx. 
This error is also perpetuated in calling the receptacular tube, which carries 
up sepals, petals, and stamens alike, a “ calyx-tube.” 
The calyx is usually green, though it may, as in the Marsh Marigold 
or Anemones, be petaloid, i.e. of some other colour and resembling the 
petals in texture. Its sepals are commonly five, four, three, 
Calyx or two in number, broad at the base, pointed above, simple 
in outline, and may be either free or polysepalous on the one hand or united 
{gamo sepal oils') on the other. In all hypogynous flowers the calyx, as we 
have seen, will be inferior, and in all epigynous flowers, superior, these terms 
implying the absence or presence of “adhesion” between calyx and ovary 
rather than mere lower or higher position. The direction of growth of the 
sepals is often an important distinctive character. They are, for instance, 
erect in the Cabbages, but ascending, growing upwards and outwards, in the 
closely-related Mustards, spreading or horizontal in the Common Buttercup, 
and refexed in the Bulbous Buttercup. Individual sepals may be pouched 
at the base to receive nectar secreted by other parts, as in the Wallflower, or 
prolonged into a tubular spur, as in the Larkspur. Want of symmetry 
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