SOME ABNORMAL FLOWERS OF ARGEMONE MEXICANA AND THEIR BEARING ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE GYNOECIUM OF PAPAVERACEAE

Abnormal flowers of Argemone mexicana are described in whichthe gynoecium has been transformed into a cup with lobed marginor into free leafy carpels. The number of lobes or leafy carpelsin such gynoecia is found to vary from three to five. This agreeswith the general view of systematists regarding the number ofcarpels composing the gynoecium in this species, and is againstthe views of Saunders and Dickson who postulate twice as manycarpels.