Anterior, or Inferior, or Lower side; while the side next the axis is the
Posterior, or Superior, or Upper side of the flower.
Fig. 275. Diagram of papilionaceous flower (Robinia, Fig. [261]), with bract below; axis of inflorescence above.
Fig. 276. Diagram of Violet-flower; showing the relation of parts to bract and axis.
274. So, in the labiate corolla (Fig. [256-258]), the lip which is composed of three of the five petals is the anterior, or inferior, or lower lip; the other is the posterior, or superior, or upper lip.
275. In Violets (Fig. [238], [276]), the odd sepal is posterior (next the axis); the odd petal is therefore anterior, or next the subtending leaf. In the papilionaceous flower (Fig. [261], and diagram, Fig. [275]), the odd sepal is anterior, and so two sepals are posterior; consequently, by the alternation, the odd petal (the standard) is posterior or upper, and the two petals forming the keel are anterior or lower.