, or combined so as to form a one-celled
ovary with three parietal, pluri-ovulate placentae; the ovary in these
flowers was formed of the basal vaginiform part of the leaf; the three
styles were formed by the petioles, while the stigmas were represented
by trifoliolate leaves. The back of the leaf in these cases is usually
directed away from the centre of the flower. When this change occurs it
is commonly attended by an increased number of parts, as in the trefoil
just mentioned, or in the double cherry, where usually two foliaceous
carpels may be met with, and sometimes more.

The change is also of interest when it affects such orders as the
_Umbelliferae_, which have their ovaries inferior under ordinary
circumstances; but when these organs assume a leafy condition they
become superior also, _i.e._ they are detached from the calyx.

As regards the position of the ovules in these foliaceous pistils, they
may be placed, as in _Aquilegia_, _Delphinium_, &c., on the edges of the
carpel or on the surface, as in some flowers of _Ranunculus repens_ and
_R. Ficaria_. A similar position of the ovules is recorded in the case
of the vine (_Vitis_), where the pistil consisted of leaves bearing the
ovules on their inner surface.[266] The supposed causes of this and
other similar malformations are alluded to under the head of chloranthy,
but it may be here remarked that semi-double flowers, fertilised by the
pollen of similar flowers, are said to produce flowers with a centre of
small green leaves, this central tuft resulting from the expansion and
frondescence of the pistils.

As this condition rarely occurs without corresponding changes in other
parts of the flower, further remarks on this subject will be found in
the chapter relating to Chloranthy.

Phyllody of the pistil has been most frequently recorded in the
following plants:

Paeonia officinalis.
Ranunculus repens!
*Aquilegia vulgaris!
Delphinium elatum.
crassicaule.
Ajacis.
amaenum.
Nymphaea dentata.
Sinapis arvensis!
Diplotaxis tenuifolia.
*Brassica oleracea!
*Sisymbrium officinale!
Dianthus. sp
Reseda Phyteuma.
Triumfetta, sp.!
Lychnis dioica.
Cerastium, sp.!
*Dictamnus Fraxinella!
Cerasus avium.
vulgaris!
*Rosa, var. cult.!
*Daucus Carota!
Heracleum, sp.
Epilobium hirsutum!
Lathyrus latifolius.
*Trifolium repens!
hybridum.
Melilotus, sp.
Medicago, sp.