=A.= MOREÆ. The filaments are incurved in the bud. Leaves folded in the
bud--_Morus_ (Mulberry) (Figs. 342–344). Monœcious. The inflorescences
are catkin-like in appearance, but in reality composed of many small
dichasia. The flowers are similar to those of the Nettle, but with 2
carpels: in the ♂ with perianth 2 + 2, and stamens 2 + 2 (Fig. 342),
in the ♀, perianth 2 + 2, and 2 carpels in regular alternation. The
small drupes are enveloped by _the perianth, which eventually becomes
fleshy_, and as all the flowers on the axis very accurately fit
together, the collection of fruits is formed, which we call a Mulberry
(Fig. 344). The leaves are folded in the buds, and have small stipules.
~The following are allied to _Morus_:--_Maclura_, _Broussonetia_ (the
Paper-mulberry tree) which has spheroid ♀ inflorescences (made up of
dichasia), etc.~
_Dorstenia_ presents an interesting transitional form to the Fig
in its flat, open, and, in some instances, lobed inflorescence
on which the ♂ and ♀ flowers are sunk in grooves. Indications
of a somewhat similar structure are found in certain Nettles,
the sympodial axes of the dichasia becoming flatly expanded. The
fruits are 1-seeded, but, nevertheless, spring open and eject
their seeds.
=B.= ARTOCARPEÆ. Filaments straight in the bud; foliage-leaves with
convolute vernation. An interpetiolar leaf-sheath (ocrea) formed in the
axil of each leaf by the connate stipules, covers the younger leaves
as a hood. It falls off as the leaf expands, and leaves a ring-like
scar on the stem.--_Ficus_ (the Fig). The inflorescence (the so-called
syconus) has a pear-shaped, fleshy, but hollow axis, on the interior
surface of which the flowers are situated (Fig. 345). It is a kind
of capitulum, with a hollow receptacle, whose “involucral” leaves
close over the entrance to the interior; it is not, however, a simple
capitulum, but a coalescence of cymose inflorescences. The edible parts
are the fleshy stem-portion and perianth-leaves. The ♂-flower has a
2–6 divided perianth, 1–2 (–6) stamens; the ♀-flower has an oblique
ovary. The fruits are drupes, with thin flesh.--~Many species have
aerial roots, and some live as epiphytes on trees. POLLINATION, in the
edible Fig, is effected by a small Gall-wasp (_Cynips psenes_ L.),
which lays its eggs in the Fig, and hence carries the pollen away. Even
in very ancient times it was customary to hang infected wild Figs on
the branches of cultivated ones, so that the young Gall-wasps, as they
emerged, could immediately effect the pollination (caprification).
_Ficus carica_, and other species, have two kinds of ♀-flowers, besides
the ♂-flowers. One kind has a short style and no stigmatic hairs,
and it is only in the ovaries of these that the wasps lay their eggs
(gall-flowers); the other kind has a long style and well-developed
stigmatic-hairs, but the wasps cannot reach their ovaries--these are
“seed-flowers.” There are, moreover, two kinds of plants of _Ficus
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