Handbook of the British flora : a description of the flowering plants and ferns indigenous to, or naturalised in, the British Isles / [George Bentham].

  • George Bentham
Date:
1912
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Handbook of the British flora : a description of the flowering plants and ferns indigenous to, or naturalised in, the British Isles / [George Bentham]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    85/672
    Stem, when perennial, consisting of a pith in the centre, of one or more concentric circles containing fibrous tissue, and of the bark on the outside. Seeds with two cotyledons, the young stem in germination proceeding from between the two lobes of the embryo, or from a notch in its summit. The above characters are all that can be said to be constant to separate Dicotyledons from Monocotyledons. They are, however, in most cases very difficult to observe, and yet the distinction is essential, for these two great classes have each their peculiar aspect, which, after a very little habit, the botanist will in most cases recognise at a glance. All British trees and shrubs are Dicotyledons, so also are all plants with opposite, or whorled, or netted-veined leaves (except Paris and a few aquatic plants), and almost all those which have the parts of the flower in fours, fives, or eights. [For other characters see p. Ixxv.] I. RANUNCULACE.®. THE RANUNCULUS FAMILY. Herbs with alternate or radical leaves, or, in one genus, climbers with opposite leaves, the leafstalk generally dilated at the base without stipules, the leaf often cut, and the flowers solitary or in terminal racemes or panicles. Sepals distinct, more than 2 (usually 5). Petals distinct, usually 5, but some- times deformed, or very minute, or wanting. Stamens indefinite, usually numerous, inserted on the receptacle. Carpels several, distinct or partially united (very rarely solitary), each enclosing a single cell, with 1 or more ovules or seeds attached to the base or to the inner angle of the cavity. Seed containing a copious albumen, with a minute embryo. Although, from the variable nature of the flowers, especially of the petals, the above characters may be somewhat vague, yet the great majority of Panunculaceoe are easily distinguished by their numerous, free, hypogynous stamens, and by their distinct carpels. Where, as in Myosurus, the stamens are few, the carpels are numerous ; and, on the other hand, if in Actoea and some Ddphinia the carpels are solitary, they are unilateral, with the ovules attached to one side or angle of their single cell, showing that they are simple, not composed of the union of several, as is the case with the central ovaries of Papaveraeea; and Cistncece, which have either several cells or several rows of ovules. Another very distant Order, which may at first sight be confounded A
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3