Part 38

This plant is remarkable for its beauty, and grows to a height of twenty to thirty-five feet. It was long popularly supposed to bloom only once in a century; hence the name. Though this is a mistaken idea, the vegetative growth of the plant is many years. The plant produces flowering stems, sometimes several feet in height, ultimately terminating in a large panicle of flowers and dying of the effort. A single plant may produce five thousand flowers, so that the ground beneath is wet with the honey distilled by them. The fiber of the leaves was used by the ancient Mexicans for paper parchment, and is now largely exported for that purpose and for cordage.

THE CURIOUS MISTLETOE, A ROBBER PLANT OR PARASITE

The mistletoe is one of the most interesting of the parasite plants. It grows on various trees, and is celebrated on account of the religious purposes to which it was consecrated by the ancient Celtic nations of Europe. It is a small shrub, with oblong, somewhat leathery leaves, and small yellowish-green flowers, the whole forming a pendent bush, covered in winter with small white berries, which contain a glutinous substance. It is common enough on certain species of trees, such as apple and pear trees, hawthorn, maple, lime, and other similar trees, but is very seldom found on the oak. Its roots penetrate into the substance of the tree on which it grows, and though it may live for forty years, it finally kills the branch supporting it.

In days of old the mistletoe was looked upon with awe as a mysterious and wonderful plant. The ancient Druids held it sacred, and cut it down with a golden sickle with all sorts of strange, mystic rites. It was the symbol of peace and friendship; and that is why we hang it up at Christmas time, and when two people meet under its green leaves, they are expected to “kiss and be friends.”

A PLANT THAT GROWS IN SNOW

Strangest of all the plants is the Soldanellas, a small species which exists on the lower slopes of the Alps. When the flower stems are in their most active state of growth they release a considerable amount of heat. In this way they will bore a course up through a thick coating of ice and snow to the light and air above, when by some means the plant is aware that the spring has arrived. There seems to be something more wonderful in this than can be explained by mere mechanical causes. Indeed, the sympathy of the plant with its surroundings is surely one of those mysteries which are as inscrutable as life itself.

THE PRIMARY USE OF LIQUID RUBBER TO PLANTS

The grubs of many beetles live in wood, upon which they feed. This probably gives a clue to the primary use of the important commercial substances india-rubber and guttapercha, which are the dried sticky juices of various shrubs and trees growing in hot climates. Beetles of the wood-boring kind, which seek to pierce and lay eggs in such plants, are liable to be snarled and killed by the viscid fluids which ooze out.

Arums, and various other plants, ward off the attacks of snails and slugs in a rather curious way The outer parts of their stems and leafstalks contain bundles of excessively sharp crystals (_raphides_), composed of oxalate of lime. These pierce the soft mouths of snails and slugs like so many needles, conveying a lesson which usually needs no repetition.

=STRANGE LIFE HABITS OF UNUSUAL PLANTS=

=SCIENTIFIC TERMS USED IN BOTANY=

=Completely Classified, Illustrated and Exemplified=

ROOTS.

=Kinds.=--(1.) PRIMARY, growing from root-end of embryo.

(a.) SIMPLE.--_Conical_, [Illustration]; _napiform_, [Illustration]; _fusiform_, [Illustration].

(b.) MULTIPLE.--_Moniliform_, [Illustration] necklace-like. _Fasciculated_, [Illustration] tufted, thick and fleshy. _Tubercular_, [Illustration] having small tubers. _Fibrous_, [Illustration] threadlike.

(2.) SECONDARY, growing from stems.

_Underground_, starting from stem below ground. _Aerial_, starting from stem above ground.

STEM.

=Parts.=--[Illustration] _n_, _Node_, part to which the leaf is fastened.

_i_, _Internode_, portion between nodes.

_a_, _Axil_, the angle between leaf and stem, upper side.

=Class.=--_Exogenous_, outside-growing (Maple, Elm).

_Endogenous_, inside-growing (Corn-stalk, Timothy).

=Situation.=--(1.) _Above ground_, usually leaf-bearing.

(2.) _Under ground_, scale-bearing.

Stems above Ground.

=Character.=--_Herbaceous_, soft, not woody (Four-o’clock).

_Suffrutescent_, slightly shrubby (Toad-flax).

_Suffruticous_, shrubby at base (Trailing Arbutus).

_Fruticous_, shrubby (Currant-bushes).

_Arborescent_, tree-like (Flowering Dogwood).

_Arboreous_, tree (Elm).

=Direction of Growth.=--_Repent_, [Illustration] prostrate and rooting from the under surface (Partridge-berry).

_Procumbent_, prostrate, but not rooting (Purslane).

_Decumbent_, [Illustration] prostrate, except at the extremity (Poor Man’s Weather-glass).

_Assurgent_, [Illustration] ascending obliquely.

_Erect_, upright (Indian Corn).

_Scandent_, [Illustration] climbing with tendrils or rootlets (Grape, English Ivy).

_Voluble_, [Illustration] twining (Morning-glory).

_Declinate_, [Illustration] declined or bent downwards (Blackberry).

_Diffuse_, [Illustration] loosely-spreading (Red Currant).

=Forms of Branches.=--_Sucker_, [Illustration] a branch of subterranean origin that finally rises out of the ground. The Raspberry multiplies in this way.

_Offset_, [Illustration] a short, prostrate-rooting branch with a tuft of leaves at the end (Houseleek).

_Runner_, [Illustration] a long, prostrate-rooting branch with tuft of leaves (Strawberry).

_Stolon_, [Illustration] a branch that curves downward and takes root. The Currant multiplies in this way.

_Tendril_, [Illustration] a thread-like coiling branch used for climbing.

_Spine or Thorn_, [Illustration] a hard, sharp-pointed branch.

Stems under Ground.

=Kinds.=--_Rhizoma or Rootstock_, [Illustration] a perennial, horizontal stem, partially or wholly subterranean (Calamus).

_Tuber_, [Illustration] an enlarged stem with eyes (White-potato).

_Bulb_, [Illustration] a bud, usually subterranean with fleshy scales (Onion, Lily).

_Corm_, [Illustration] a solid bulb (Indian Turnip).

LEAVES.

=Parts.=--[Illustration] _b_, _Blade_, the expanded portion.

_p_, _Petiole_, the stem.

_s_, _Stipules_, leaf-like appendages at base of petiole.

=Kinds.=--(1.) SIMPLE, [Illustration] having but one blade.

_Sessile_, [Illustration] without petiole.

_Petiolate_, [Illustration] with petiole.

_Stipulate_, [Illustration] with stipules.

_Cirrhous_, [Illustration] with tendril.

(2.) COMPOUND, [Illustration] having more than one blade.

(a.) _Pinnate_, [Illustration] with leaflets arranged along a common petiole.

_Abruptly pinnate_, [Illustration] with even number of leaflets.

_Odd-pinnate_, [Illustration] having an odd leaflet.

_Unipinnate_, [Illustration] divided but once.

_Bipinnate_, [Illustration] divided twice.

_Tripinnate_, divided three times.

(b.) _Palmate_, [Illustration] leaflets diverging from one point.

_Unipalmate_, [Illustration] divided but once.

_Bipalmate_, [Illustration] divided twice.

_Tripalmate_, [Illustration] divided three times.

=Framework.=--_Midrib_, the central vein.

_Ribs_, [Illustration], [Illustration] strong veins branching from near the base of midrib.

_Veins_, the branching framework.

_Veinlets_, [Illustration] small veins.

=Venation.=--_Parallel_, [Illustration] with simple veins running parallel from base to apex.

_Feather_, [Illustration] with lateral veins branching at regular intervals from midrib.

_Radiate_, [Illustration] with strong veins branching from apex of petiole.

_Reticulate_, [Illustration] with veins and veinlets that unite and separate in the form of network.

=Form.=--(a.) BROADEST AT THE MIDDLE.--_Peliate_, [Illustration]; _orbicular_, [Illustration], _oval_, [Illustration]; _elliptical_, [Illustration]; _oblong_, [Illustration]; _linear_, [Illustration]; _acerōse_, [Illustration] (Pine).

(b.) BROADEST AT BASE.--_Deltoid_, [Illustration]; _ovate_ [Illustration]; _lanceolate_, [Illustration]; _subulate_, [Illustration]; _cordate_, [Illustration]; _reniform_, [Illustration]; _hastate_, [Illustration]; _sagittate_, [Illustration].

(c.) BROADEST AT THE APEX.--_Obovate_, [Illustration]; _oblanceolate_, [Illustration]; _spatulate_ [Illustration]; _cuneate_ [Illustration]; _obcordate_, [Illustration]; _lyrate_, [Illustration]; _runcinate_, [Illustration].

=Bases.=--_Auriculate_, [Illustration]; _oblique_, [Illustration]; _tapering_, [Illustration]; _abrupt_, [Illustration]; _clasping_, [Illustration]; _perfoliate_, [Illustration]; _connate_, [Illustration]; _decurrent_, [Illustration].

=Apexes.=--_Obcordate_, [Illustration]; _emarginate_, [Illustration]; _retuse_, [Illustration]; _truncate_, [Illustration]; _obtuse_, [Illustration]; _acute_ [Illustration]; _acuminate_, [Illustration]; _mucronate_, [Illustration]; _cuspidate_, [Illustration]; _aristate_, [Illustration].

=Margins.=--_Entire_, [Illustration]; _repand_, [Illustration]; _sinuate_, [Illustration]; _crenate_, [Illustration]; _dentate_, [Illustration]; _serrate_, [Illustration]; _incised_, [Illustration]; _laciniate_, [Illustration]; _palmately-lobed_, [Illustration]; _palmately-cleft_, [Illustration]; _palmately-parted_, [Illustration]; _palmately-divided_, [Illustration]; _pinnately-lobed_, [Illustration]; _pinnately-cleft_, [Illustration]; _pinnately-parted_, [Illustration]; _pinnately-divided_, [Illustration].

=Surface.=--(a.) WITHOUT HAIRS.--_Glabrous_, smooth.

(b.) SOFT HAIRS.--_Pílous_, few, short; _hirsute_, few, long; _pubéscent_, dense, short; _villous_, dense, long; _seríceous_, silky; _lanūginous_, woolly; _toméntous_, matted like felt; _flóccous_, fleecy tufts.

(c.) STIFF HAIRS.--_Scābrous_, minute, hard points; _hispid_, few, short points; _sētous_, bristly; _spinous_, having spines.

=Color.=--_Glaucous_, covered with whitish powder.

_Canéscent_, grayish-white with fine pubescence.

_Incānous_, hoary-white.

_Punctate_, having transparent dots.

_Hyaline_, nearly transparent.

=Texture.=--_Succulent_, fleshy; _coriaceous_, leather-like; _scarious_, dry; _rúgous_, wrinkled.

=Phyllotaxis=, arrangement on the stem.--_Alternate_, [Illustration]; _opposite_, [Illustration]; _whorled_ (verticillate); _radical_, [Illustration] near the ground; _cauline_, on the stem; _rosulate_, [Illustration] clustered; _fascículate_, [Illustration] in bundles.

=Vernation=, arrangement in the bud.

_Induplicate_, [Illustration] folded crosswise (Tulip-tree).

_Conduplicate_, [Illustration] folded along midrib (Oak).

_Plicate_, [Illustration] folded like a fan (Red-currant).

_Circinate_, [Illustration] rolled lengthwise (Fern).

_Convolute_, [Illustration] rolled edgewise (Cherry).

_Involute_, [Illustration] both edges rolled inward (Apple).

_Revolute_, [Illustration] both edges rolled outward (Willow).

_Equitant_, [Illustration] astraddle (Iris).

_Obvolute_, [Illustration] half equitant (Jerusalem Sage).

_Triquētrous_ [Illustration] triangular equitant (Sedges).

=Duration.=--_Fugacious_, falling very early.

_Deciduous,_ falling at the close of the season.

_Persistent_, remaining through the winter.

INFLORESCENCE.

=Parts.=--_Flower_, [Illustration] the blossom.

_Peduncle_, [Illustration] the stem of a solitary flower or the main stem of a flower-cluster.

_Scape_, [Illustration] a peduncle that grows from the ground.

_Pedicel_, [Illustration], p, the stem of each flower of a flower-cluster. _Bracts_, b, small floral leaves.

_Involucre_, [Illustration] a cluster of bracts.

=Kinds.=--(1.) SOLITARY, single, alone.

_Terminal_, at the summit of the stem.

_Axillary_, [Illustration] in the axils of the leaves.

(2.) CLUSTERED, several flowers collected in a bunch.

(a.) INDEFINITE OR INDETERMINATE, flowering from axillary buds. Inflorescence centripetal.

{_Racēme_, [Illustration] flowers arranged along the {axis; pedicels about equal in length (Currant). { {_Córymb_, [Illustration] same as raceme, except that the {lower pedicels are elongated, making the top flat FLOWERS {(Hawthorn). PEDICELLATE { {_Umbel_. [Illustration] same as corymb, except that the {pedicels branch from about the same point (Milkweed). { {_Panicle_, [Illustration] compound raceme (Blue-grass). { {_Thyrsus_, a compact panicle (Lilac).

{_Spike_, [Illustration] same as raceme with flowers {sessile (Mullein). { {_Spādix_, [Illustration] a fleshy spike, generally {{enveloped by a large bract called a _Spāthe_, FLOWERS {[Illustration] (Calla Lily). SESSILE { {_Ȧment_ or _Catkin_, [Illustration] a slender pendent {spike, with scaly bracts (Birch). { {_Head_ or _Capitulum_, [Illustration] a shortened spike, {reduced to a globular form (Clover).

(b.) DEFINITE or DETERMINATE, flowers all terminal. Inflorescence centrifugal.

_Cyme_, [Illustration] flat-topped or rounded inflorescence (Elder).

_Fascicle_, a compact cyme (Sweet-William).

_Glomerule_, a cyme condensed into a head (Mint).

_Verticillaster_, [Illustration] two opposite glomerules joined (Motherwort).

_Scorpioid_, [Illustration] a one-sided and coiled cyme (Forget-me-not).

FLOWER. [Illustration]

=Parts.=--_Receptacle_, the part upon which the several organs of the flower are inserted.

_Calyx_, [Illustration] the exterior floral envelope.

_Corolla_, [Illustration] the interior floral envelope. The calyx and corolla constitute the _protecting organs_, sometimes called _perianth_.

_Stamens_, [Illustration] the fertilizing organs.

_Pistils_, [Illustration] the seed-bearing organs. The stamens and pistils constitute the _essential organs_.

=Kinds.=--_Symmetrical_, [Illustration] same number in each set of organs; _unsymmetrical_, different number.

_Complete_, [Illustration] all the sets present; incomplete, some sets wanting.

_Regular_ [Illustration] sepals and petals uniform; _irregular_, [Illustration] sepals or petals unlike.

_Perfect_, stamens and pistils both present; _imperfect_, one set absent.

_Staminate_, with stamens only; _pistillate_, with pistils only; _neutral_, with neither.

_Monœcious_, staminate and pistillate on same plant; _diœcious_, on different plants.

_Dichlamydeous_, having calyx and corolla; _monochlamydecous_, having calyx only; _achlamydecous_, having neither.

_Di_, [Illustration] _trí_, _tetrá_, _pentá-merous_, [Illustration] two, three, four, or five parts in each set.

_Sessile_, without peduncle; _pedunculate_, [Illustration] with peduncle.

DEVIATIONS FROM THE NORMAL OR PATTERN FLOWER ARISE FROM

_Augmentation_, increase of floral circles (Water Lily).

_Cherisis_, increase of organs by division. The Bleeding-heart shows the _collateral chorisis_ of stamens, and the Catchfly [Illustration] shows the _transverse chorisis_ of corolla.

_Anteposition_, parts opposite instead of alternate (Grape).

_Cohesion_, [Illustration] union of parts of the same set (corolla of Morning-glory).

_Adnation_, union of different sets. In the Cherry the stamens and corolla are inserted upon the calyx.

_Irregularity_, parts of the same set unequally developed (Violet, Pea).

_Suppression_, non-development of some parts. In the mints some of the stamens are suppressed or wanting.

CALYX.

=Parts.=--_Sepals_, [Illustration] the divisions of the calyx.

_Tube_, the united portion of a gamosepalous calyx.

_Teeth_ or _lobes_, the distinct or divided portions of a gamosepalous calyx.

_Throat_, the orifice or summit of the tube.

_Pappus_, [Illustration] in Compositæ, the calyx border consisting of scales, teeth, bristles, or slender hairs.

=Cohesion.=--_Gamosepalous_ or _Monosepalous_, [Illustration] sepals partially or wholly grown together.

_Truncate_, [Illustration] without lobes.

_Toothed_, [Illustration] lobes small.

_Lobed_, [Illustration] parted about one fourth.

_Cleft_, [Illustration] parted about one half.

_Parted_, [Illustration] separated nearly to the base.

_Polysepalous_, [Illustration] separated to the base.

=Adnation.=--_Inferior_, [Illustration] calyx free from ovary.

_Half-inferior_, [Illustration] calyx adherent to the ovary half-way.

_Superior_, [Illustration] calyx adherent to the ovary.

=Form.=--See under COROLLA.

=Æstivation.=--See under COROLLA.

COROLLA.

=Parts.=--_Petals_, [Illustration] the divisions of the Corolla.

_Lamina_, the expanded portion of the petal.

_Claw_, [Illustration], the stem portion of the petal.

_Spur_, [Illustration]; _s_, the hollow portion of certain corollas.

_Crown_, [Illustration], a small projection from certain petals (Catchfly).

=Cohesion.=--_Gamopetalous_ or _Monopetalous_, [Illustration] petals partially or wholly grown together.

_Truncate_, [Illustration] _toothed_, _lobed_, [Illustration] _cleft_, _parted_.

_Polypetalous_, [Illustration] petals separate.

=Adnation.=--_Hypógynous_, [Illustration] corolla attached under the pistil (_gynia_, pistil).

_Perígynous_, [Illustration] corolla attached to the calyx. It is thus around the pistil.

_Epígynous_, [Illustration] corolla attached to the ovary. It is thus upon the ovary which is a part of the pistil.

=Form.=--GAMOPETALOUS and POLYPETALOUS.

{REGULAR. { { _Urceoiate_, [Illustration] urn-shaped (Whortle- { berry). { { _Tubular_ [Illustration] cylindrical (Trumpet Honey- { suckle) { { _Campánulate_, [Illustration] bell-shaped (Harebell). { { _Infundíbular_, [Illustration] funnel-shaped { (Morning-glory). { { _Hypocraterimórphous_, [Illustration] salver-shaped { (Phlox). GAMOPETALOUS. { { _Rotate_, [Illustration] wheel-shaped (Potato). { {IRREGULAR. { { _Ligulate_, [Illustration] strap-shaped (Dandelion). { { _Lābiate_, two-lipped. { { _Gāleate_, [Illustration] upper lip arched (Catmint). { { _Ringent_, [Illustration] both lips arched (Dead- { nettle). { { _Personate_, [Illustration] throat closed (Toad- { flax).

{REGULAR. { { _Rosāceous_, [Illustration] petals without claws { (Rose). { { _Liliāceous_, [Illustration] petals with claws { gradually spreading (Lily). { { _Caryophyllāceous_, long claws enclosed in a tube { (Pink). POLYPETALOUS. { { _Crucíferous_, [Illustration] four clawed petals in { the form of a cross (Mustard). { {IRREGULAR. { { _Papilionāceous_, [Illustration] butterfly-shaped { (Bean). { { PARTS.--_Vexillum_, banner; _alæ_, wings; _carīna_, { keel.

=Æstivation=, the arrangement of the floral organs in the bud.

_Valvular_, [Illustration] pieces met by their margins (Lilac).

_Induplicate_, [Illustration] margins turned inward (sepals of Clematis).

_Reduplicate_, [Illustration] margins turned outward (sepals of Hollyhock).

_Convolute_, or _contorted_, [Illustration] each piece overlaps its neighbor in one direction (Geranium).

_Imbricated_, [Illustration] one or more petals wholly outside.

_Quincúncial_, [Illustration] five petals, two without and two within and the remaining one with one edge outside and the other inside.

_Triquētrous_, [Illustration] three petals, one without and one within, and the remaining one with one edge outside and the other inside.

_Véxillary_, [Illustration] having one large petal enclosing the others (Pea).

_Plicate_, [Illustration] the folding of gamopétalous flowers.

_Supervolute_, [Illustration] with folds turned obliquely in the same direction (Morning-glory).

STAMENS (ANDRŒCIUM).

=Parts.=--[Illustration] _Anther_, the enlarged and essential portion.

_Filament_, the stem holding the anther.

_Pollen_, the fertilizing powder found in the anther.

=Kinds.=--_Sessile_, [Illustration] anther without filament.

_Sterile_, filament without anther.

_Connivent_, [Illustration] converging.

_Exserted_, [Illustration] protruding out of corolla.

_Included_, entirely within the corolla.

_Didẏnamous_, [Illustration] four in number, two long and two short.

_Tetradẏnanious_, [Illustration] six in number, four long and two short.

=Cohesion.=--_Syngenesious_, [Illustration] united by their anthers.

_Monodelphous_, united by their filaments into one set.

_Diadelphous_, united into two sets.

_Polyadelphous_, united into many sets.

=Adnation.=--_Hypógynous_, [Illustration] borne on the receptacle.

_Perígynous_, [Illustration] borne on the calyx.

_Epipétalous_, borne on the corolla.

_Alternate_, [Illustration] with the lobes.

_Opposite_, in front of the lobes.

_Epígynous_, borne on the ovary at its summit.

_Gynándrous_, borne on the style (Orchid).

FILAMENT.

=Kinds.=--_Filiform_, _subulate_, _dilated_, _petaloid_, _bidentate_.

ANTHER.

=Parts.=--_Lobes_ (_thecæ_) and _connective_.

=Adnation.=--_Innate_, [Illustration] anther firm on summit of filament.

_Adnate_, [Illustration] anther attached by its whole length to filament.

_Extrórse_, facing the petals.

_Intrórse_, facing the pistils.

_Versatile_, [Illustration] attached near the middle.

=Dehiscence.=--_Longitudinal_, [Illustration] opening lengthwise.

_Transverse_, [Illustration] opening crosswise.

_Porous_, [Illustration] opening by terminal holes.

_Valved_, [Illustration] opening by valves or doors.

PISTILS (GYNŒCIUM).

=Parts.=--[Illustration] _Stigma_, the rough end to which the pollen adheres.

_Style_, the stem holding the stigma.

_Ovary_, the enlarged portion containing the ovules.

=Cohesion.=--_Simple_, [Illustration] having but one cell, placenta style and stigma.

_Multiple_, [Illustration] a collection of simple pistils (Blackberry).

_Compound_, [Illustration] simple pistils grown together, each called a _carpel_.

STIGMA.

=Kinds.=--_Sessile_, stigma on ovary: no style.

_Globose_, globular (Four-o’clock).

_Capitate_, [Illustration] broad and flat.

_Lobed_, rounded.

_Feathered_, like a feather (Grasses).

_Linear_, thread-like (Corn).

STYLE.

=Kinds.=--_Basal_, attached to base of ovary (Forget-me-not).

_Lateral_, attached to side of ovary (Strawberry).

_Terminal_, [Illustration] attached to top of ovary.

OVARY.

=Parts.=--_Placentæ_, the parts to which the ovules are attached.

_Dissepiments_, [Illustration] partitions.

_Cells_, cavities in which the ovules are arranged.

_Ovules_, unfertilized seeds.