Flowers of Cassia fistula — ^Neal 
89 
CONCLUSIONS 
Conclusions concerning the common form 
of flower of C. fistula: The 10 stamens are ar- 
ranged in two series. The five inner stamens 
are opposite the five petals. They have similar 
filaments and similar basiventral anthers, but 
one stamen is much smaller than the others. 
The five outer stamens are opposite the five 
sepals. They have similar anthers, which open 
by clefts; but two have smaller anthers and 
shorter filaments than the other three. The 
three so-called "abortive” stamens contain 
and discharge pollen as do the seven larger 
stamens. 
Conclusions concerning the aberrant forms 
of flowers of C. fistula on tree B are that three 
forms which are irregularly three-, four-, or 
five-parted seem to dominate. Stamens and 
petals are more or less interfunctional, as also 
are sepals and petals, but not stamens and 
sepals. Inasmuch as all flowers examined on 
tree B deviated from the common form of the 
species, this tree may be a sport. It is possible 
that 2,4-D caused the fasciation in peduncles 
and rachises found in some inflorescences, 
but it is not likely that it caused the odd 
flower forms. It seems improbable that 2,4-D 
caused reduction in the size of the leaves, 
which were not malformed. Among the other 
trees examined, irregular flower forms may 
develop; but they are rare and not the rule. 
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