Diagrams, in addition to those requested in the lab instructions, will be useful. For exams, you will be expected to be able to identify structures present in preserved or fresh floral material. Herbarium specimens will be on display during each laboratory period. You should be able to identify these to genus, family, and subclass by recognizing the characters we discuss. For a copy of the overhead presented in lab, click here .
Flowers are often perfect and relatively large and showy.
NOTE polypetalous perianth with gradation from sepaloid to petaloid appendages. This is the only completely epigynous family of the Caryophyllidae. NOTE areoles in axils of the small leaves on the base of the flower. Glochids are restricted to Opuntia . The flowers are easier to dissect in shallow water.