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Ohio Journal of Science (Ohio Academy of Science)
Ohio Journal of Science: Volume 16, Issue 8 (June, 1916)
1916-06
A General System of Floral Diagrams
Schaffner, John H.
The Ohio Journal of Science. v16 n8 (June, 1916), 360-366
http://hdl.handle.net/1811/1914
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A GENERAL SYSTEM OF FLORAL DIAGRAMS.
JOHN H. SCHAFFNER.
Diagramatic representations of flowers are of great conyenience in assisting one's memory in respect to floral structions,
especially when comparative and evolutionary studies are
undertaken. Such diagrams have been in use for a long time
and are found in most botanical text books and systematic
works. However, as usually constructed they are rather
vague and of various designs, which makes it difficult to employ
them in any exact way. The writer has devised a system by
which most of the essential structures of any flower may be
represented by a single transverse diagram, which at the same
time indicates in a general way the degree of advancement of
the flower in the evolutionary series.
There are five general types of flowers which call for definite
diagramatic representation, as follows:
1. Hypogynous flower, as in the lily.
2. Perigynous flower with a free hypanthium, as in the rose.
3. Perigynous flower with adnate hypanthium, as in the
apple.
4. Epigynous flower without hypanthium, as in the
honeysuckle.
5. Epigynous flower with hypanthium, as in the evening
primrose.
The various signs used are as follows: carpel, a small circle
(Fig. 1 a); vestigial carpel, the same in black (Fig. 1 b); axis
of inflorescence, a circle with a dot in the center (Fig. 1 c);
stamen, a pair of circles or figure eight without a line through
the center if the anther has but two microsporangia or with a
line through the center if it has four microsporangia (Fig. 1 d);
vestigial stamen, the same in black (Fig. 1 e); united carpels,
a large circle with radii to represent the partition walls, (Fig.
1 f); united carpels forming a unilocular ovulary, a similar
circle with points on the inside to represent the place of union
of two contiguous carpels (Fig. 1 g); sepal, a curved line,
thickened in the middle (Fig. 1 h); petal, a curved line thickened
in the middle and with a prominent point (Fig. 1 i). A necter
pit or spur is represented as shown in Fig. 1 j . Bracts are
360
June, 1916] A General System of Floral Diagrams
361
represented by curved lines of uniform thickness. The empty
glumes and flowering glumes of grasses, on account of their
importance, call for special treatment. The empty glumes are
represented simply like a pair of bracts, but the lemma receives
a narrow point at the middle projecting outward and the
palet two such points, one on either side of the middle and some
distance apart.
In representing spirals no attempt is made to show the
"pitch," or irregularities. Only the average number of spirals
with the number of parts in each, is shown, as in figures 2 and 3.
Usually only one spiral line is drawn, as in Figure 3, which
represents a cone with five spirals, with seven carpels in each
spiral. Fig. 2 represents a cone with three spirals, each with
nine carpels and all spiral lines represented.
Aside from representing the spiral curves, the diagrams can
be made with a pair of compasses and ruler and finished in
detail with a pen. Of course, many peculiarities may be
added without detracting from the definiteness or clearness
of the formal signs.
Figure 4 represents an ordinary hypogynous, actinomorphic,
pentacyclic, trimerous flower with united carpels, like a Yucca or
lily. If each petal sign were joined at its ends by a straight
line to the sepal sign, the diagram would represent a flower
like the lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria). In general, connecting
lines mean union with or position on an organ.
Figure 5 represents a perigynous, zygomorphic pentacyclic
flower with united sepals. The hypanthium is represented by a
heavy dotted circle. Sepals, petals and stamens are shown
situated upon this by the connecting lines. Nine of the stamen
filaments are united, but one is free, showing plainly a diadelphous andrecium. The single free carpel is represented
in the center and the slight adhesion of one pair of petals is
shown by a dotted connecting line. In general, it is convenient for comparison to place all the diagrams with the odd
sepal on top. The relation of the flower to the axis of inflorescence can then be shown by placing the proper sign above or
below the diagram.
Figure 6 represents the diagram of an apple, in which the
perigynous hypanthium is grown together with the ovulary.
This is represented by filling in the space between the two with
dots. The sepals and petals are on the hypanthium and are
362
The Ohio Journal of Science
[Vol. XVI, No. 8,
therefore connected with it by lines. The stamens are also
on the hypanthium and properly should also be connected
with it by lines, but as they are sometimes very numerous,
these lines may be omitted for convenience; since the position
of the stamens between the perianth and the hypanthium
necessarily implies that they are situated on the latter organ.
The best rule to follow in this respect perhaps is that where the
stamen are few in number and the lines can be drawn conveniently the connections should be made, but where they are
very numerous, the connecting lines may be omitted, provided that they are shown with the parts of the perianth.
The same procedure would be followed in epigynous types,
either with or without hypanthium.
The epigynous type of flower with an epigynous hypanthium
is represented in Figure 7. The representation of this type
is the same in general as in the perigynous flower, but the
hypanthium is connected with the ovulary wall by lines showing
its superior position. The ovulary wall is shown with a heavy
line in all epigynous types. This is merely to make the diagram
more striking when compared with the hypogynous type and is
not absolutely necessary since the epigyny is definitely shown
by the connecting lines. Diagram seven represents Fuchsia,
the four black oval spots inside of the hypanthium indicating
four glands.
The epigynous flower without hypanthium is shown by
figure 8, which represents Houstonia ciliolata. The calyx is
composed of united sepals and the corolla of united petals.
The stamens are distinct, but their filaments are united with
the corolla. This is indicated by the line connecting the
anther signs with the corolla sign. The lines connecting the
anthers with the ovulary represent the epigyny of the stamens
and the same is shown for the calyx and corolla. Extreme
reductions and specialization like the pappus of the dandelion
may be represented by a circle of dots.
In many cases it is possible to represent other structural
details in connection with the usual floral organs, but nothing
should be added that will obscure the real representation of the
important and fundamental morphology of the flower. If
properly and consistently constructed, such a series of flower
diagrams will be found a great aid in any study of comparative
morphology or evolutionary series.
OHIO JOURNAL OF SCIENCE.
John H. Schaffner.
VOL. XVI, PLATE XXVII.
364
The Ohio Journal of Science [Vol. XVI, No. 8,
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXVII.
Fig. 1. The conventional signs7used to represent the ordinary flower parts.
a. Carpel.
b. Vestigial carpel.
c. Axis of inflorescence.
d. Stamen.
e. Vestigial stamen.
f. United carpels, plurilocular ovulary.
g. Unilocular ovulary with three carpels,
h. Sepal.
i. Petal.
j . Petal with nectar cup.
Fig. 2. Diagram of carpellate cone of Tsuga canadensis, with three spirals.
Fig. 3. Diagram of carpellate cone of Sequoia washingtoniana, with five spirals,
only one traced out.
Fig. 4. Diagram of hypogynous flower of Yucca filamentosa.
Fig. 5. Diagram of perigynous flower of Lathyrus odoratus.
Fig. 6. Diagram of perigynous flower of Malus malus, with adnate hypanthium.
Fig. 7. Diagram of epigynous flower of Fuchsia, with epigynous hypanthium.
Fig. 8. Diagram of epigynous flower of Houstonia ciliotata.
Ohio State University.
INDEX TO VOLUME XVI.
Academy of Science, Ohio, 109.
Africa, South, Homoptera, 161.
Agallia, 180.
American Chemist and War's Problems, 219.
Apple Trees, starch, 356.
Athysanus, 187.
Anatomy, Jassoidea, 299.
Biemiller's Cove, sunfish nests, 125.
Boundary, Ordovician—Silurian, 329.
Bromides, spectra, 118.
Carbonaceous material in Monroe formation, 155.
Caryomyia, 43.
Cave, Reames, 209.
Cecidiomyia, 37, 43, 269.
Cedar Point marsh, evaporation, 91.
Cedar Point, Toledo, 216.
Celtis occidentalis, zoocecidia, 249.
Cephalelus, 184.
Chemist, American, 219.
Chlorides, spectra, 117.
Cicadula, 195.
Constitution, Ohio State Univ. Sci.
Soc, 32.
Cordia, 173.
Debarya, 18.
Deltocephalus, 186.
Derived solutions, differential equations, 231.
Diagrams, floral, 360.
Differential equations, derived solutions, 231.
Dipterous galls, 268.
Electrical behavior, porcelain and glass,
81.
Electrical conductivity, indium and
thallium, 244.
Empoasca, 197.
Epibranchial placodes, 336.
Equations, differential, 231.
Eriophyes, 43.
Eriophyes on Celtis, 256.
Eriophyidae, 37, 256.
Evaporation and Plant Zones, 91.
Exhibit cases, 105.
Floral diagrams, 360.
Galls, insect, 37, 249.
Geometry, translated normal curve, 60.
Glass, electrical behavior, 81.
Greenfield member, Monroe formation,
155.
Halogen compounds, spectra, 113.
Hemipterous galls, 259.
Hexagon notation, 135.
Hicoria, Zoocecidia, 37.
365
Homoptera of South Africa, 161.
Homopterous studies, 161, 299.
Idiocerus, 180.
Indium, electrical conductivity, 244.
Introductory, 1.
Insect galls, 37, 249.
Iodides, spectra, 116.
Itonididae, 37, 268.
Jassoidea, 161.
Jassoidea of Missouri, 354.
Jassoidea of Missouri, list, 71.
Jassoidea, Morphology, 299.
Leafhoppers, 161.
Leptostyla costofasciata, 326.
Locris, 170.
Macropsis, 178.
Making photographic objective, 3.
Maxville limestone, outliers, 151.
Missouri, Jassoidea, 71, 247, 354.
Mite gall, 37.
Monroe formation, carbonaceous material, 155.
Morphology, Jassoidea, 299.
Morphology, Zoocecidia, 249.
Nests, sunfish, 125.
News and notes, 79, 247.
Normal curve, translated, 60.
Notes on Zygnemales, 17.
Nutrients, renewal in sand cultures, 101.
Objectives, photographic, 3.
Ohio Acad. of Science, 109.
Ohio Maxville limestone, 151.
Ohio State University Sci. Soc, 32.
Ohio vascular plants, additions, 104.
Ordovician—Silurian boundary, 329.
Outliers, Maxville limestone, 151.
Pachypsylla on Celtis, 260.
Pediopsis, 179.
Penthimia, 182.
Philaenus, 175.
Photographic objective, 3.
Phytophaga, 271.
Placodes, epibranchial, 322.
Plant disease exhibit cases, 105.
Plants, Ohio, 104.
Plant zones, in Cedar Point marsh, 91.
Poophilus, 176.
Porcelain, electrical behavior, 81.
Reames cave, 209.
Rhinaulax, 169.
Sand culture, renewal of nutrients, 101.
Silurian-Ordovician, boundary, 333.
South Africa, Homoptera, 161.
Spectra, halogen compounds, 113.
Sphaerometer for short radii, 15.
Spirogyra, 23.
Index to Volume XVI
Squalus acanthias, epibranchial, placodes, 336.
Starch in apple trees, 356.
Sunfish nests, Biemiller's cove, 125.
Tennessee tingid, 326.
Thamnotettix, 192.
Thallium, electrical conductivity, 244.
Tingid, new, 326.
Toledo Cedar Point, 216.
Translated normal curve, 60.
Typhlocyba, 198.
Vascular plants, Ohio, 104.
Zones, plant, and evaporation, 91.
Zoocecidia on Hicoria, 37.
Zoocecidia, morphology, 249.
Zygnemales,, 17.
Zygnema, 21.
NEW SPECIES DESCRIBED IN VOL. XVI
Animal
Agallia cuneata Cog
Agallia nigrasterna Cog
Athysanus aethiopica Cog
Athysanus cyclopia Cog
Athysanus eriocephalus Cog
Athysanus nemesia Cog
Cicadula longiforma Cog
Deltocephalus aristida Cog
Deltocephalus breviatus Cog
Empoasca heliophila Cog.
Empoasca protea Cog
Idiocerus hewitti Cog
Leptostyla costofasciata Drake
Pediopsis capensis Cog
Philaenus hottentoti Cog
Thamnotettix cotula Cog
Thamnotettix karrooensis Cog
Thamnotettix karrooensis pallidus Cog
Thamnotettix pentzia Cog
Thamnotettix struthiola Cog
Typhlocyba elegia Cog
Typhlocyba mallyi Cog.
Typhlocyba purpureatincta Cog
181
180
189
191
190
191
196
187
186
197
197
180
326
179
175
193
192
192
194
194
199
198
198
Plants
Debarya americana Trans
Debarya decussata Trans
Debarya glyptosperma formosa Trans
Spirogyra borgeana Trans
Spirogyra crassa formosa Trans
Spirogyra farlowii Trans
.'
Spirogyra floridana Trans
Spirogyra hydrodictya Trans
Spirogyra micropunctata Trans
Spirogyra nova-angliae Trans
Spirogyra propria Trans
Spirogyra reflexa Trans
Zygnema cruciatum caeruleum Trans
Zygnema cylindricum Trans
Zygnema pectinatum crassum Trans
18
19
18
23
27
29
30
28
27
26
25
28
21
22
21
Date of Publication June 10,1916.