. Botany of the living plant. Botany; Plants. 6o8 BOTANY OF THE LIVING PLANT The floral diagram (Fig. 455) shows the regular alternation of the successive whorls of three parts. As those of each whorl are all of equal size, and except- ing the carpels all separate from one another, the Tulip may be held as a relatively primitive type of Liliaceous flower. But the syncarpous state here seen is probably not the most primitive. In Colchicum, with its Crocus-like habit, the carpels are incompletely fused, and each has its separate style and stigma : an indication of a primitive apocarpous state. O
. Botany of the living plant. Botany; Plants. 6o8 BOTANY OF THE LIVING PLANT The floral diagram (Fig. 455) shows the regular alternation of the successive whorls of three parts. As those of each whorl are all of equal size, and except- ing the carpels all separate from one another, the Tulip may be held as a relatively primitive type of Liliaceous flower. But the syncarpous state here seen is probably not the most primitive. In Colchicum, with its Crocus-like habit, the carpels are incompletely fused, and each has its separate style and stigma : an indication of a primitive apocarpous state. Other members of the Order show various steps in cohesion and adhesion of the outer parts. For instance, in (2) the Wild Hyacinth (Scilla nutans, Sm.) the stamens are adherent to the perianth-segments (epiphyllous). In the Grape-Hyacinth (Muscari), and the Lily of the Valley {Convallaria) the segments of the perianth are coherent into a bell. In some Lilies the perianth may form a long tube, while the style is proportionally elongated. But still the ovary is superior ; even in Colchicum, where it is below ground, it stands above the insertion of the long tube-like perianth. In others, as in Hemerocallis, the gamo- phyllous flower is zygomorphic. Thus the primitive state seen in the Tulip may be modified in relation to pollina- tion by insects. Pollination. The flower of the Tulip is conspicuous by its size and colour ; but there is no honey, though in the nearly allied Fritillaria a large honey- gland lies at the base of each perianth- segment. The Tulip is visited by insects for its pollen, and so crossing may be effected ; but it is not a specialised mechanism. The fruit of the Liliaceae is either a capsule, splitting by longitudinal slits, and so shedding the seeds, which are flattened and readily carried by the wind ; or it may be a berry as in Lily of the Valley, or Asparagus, and thus be distributed by birds. The Liliaceae are world-wide in distribution. Many are cultivate
Size: 1634px × 1530px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookpublis, booksubjectbotany, booksubjectplants
