CALYX* 
67 
When the calyx drops off before the flower fully expands, it is 
called caducous; the petals of the poppy are, at first, enclosed in a 
calyx of two large green leaves, but these fall oft'before the flower is 
full blown. When the calyx withers and drops off with the corolla, 
it is called deciduous. In many plants it remains until the fruit is 
matured; it is then called persistent. Upon a pea-pod, for example, 
the calyx may be seen as perfect as it was in the blossom. On ex¬ 
amining an apple or pear, the dried leaves of the calyx may be seen 
on the top of the fruit; this shows that the calyx was superior, as 
well as persistent. 
According to the divisions of Linnaeus, there are seven kinds of 
calyxes; viz.. 
Perianth., Involucrum , Ament, Spatha , Glume , Calyptra , Volva. 
Perianth. This term is derived from the two Greek words, peri, 
around, and anthos , flower. This is the only real calyx or cup, as 
the term cup does not properly apply to the other kinds. A good 
example of the perianth calyx is presented in the rose, where it is 
urn- form, with divisions at the top resembling small leaves. In the 
pink, the perianth is long and tubular, having the border dentate or 
toothed. The holly-hock, hibiscus, and many other plants, have a 
double perianth. The term perianth is often used when a flower 
has but one envelope, as in the tulip ; and more especially in cases 
where it is difficult to determine whether this envelope should be 
called a corolla or calyx. 
Involucrum. This term is derived from the Latin, involvo , to wrap 
up ; this kind of calyx is usually found at the base of an umbel, as 
in the carrot. It is said to be universal , when it belongs equally to 
the whole of an aggregate flower; and partial* when it encloses 
one floret which, with others, constitutes a compound or aggregate 
flower. The term involucrum is also applied to the membranous 
covering in the fructification of ferns. 
Ament or catkin ,f is a kind of calyx, by some classed as a mode 
of inflorescence ; it consists of many chaffy scales, ranged along a 
thread-like stalk or receptacle; each scale protects one or more of 
the stamens or pistils, the whole forming one aggregate flower. The 
ament is common to forest trees, as the oak and chestnut; and is 
also found upon the willow and poplar. In some trees, the staminate 
flowers are enclosed in an ament, and the pistillate in a perianth. 
Spatha , or sheath. It is that kind of 
calyx which first encloses the flower, 
and when this expands, bursts length¬ 
wise and often appears at some dis¬ 
tance below it. The wild turnip, or 
Arum, furnishes an example of this 
s kind of calyx, enclosing a kind of inflo¬ 
rescence called a spadix , (Fig. 67. a.) 
From the peculiar appearance of the 
spadix as it stands up surrounded by 
the spatha, it is sometimes called Jack- 
in-the-box. The spatha is common in 
many of our cultivated exotics, as in 
the Narcissus, where it appears brown¬ 
ish and withered, after the full expan¬ 
sion of the flower.. You see here a re- 
Duration—Different kinds of calyxes—Perianth—Involucrum—Ament—Spatha. 
