“Corollas with petals all joined together are called monopetalous corollas,” continued Uncle Paul.
“For example, digitalis and tobacco,” said Jules.
“And the bell-flowers, don’t forget them, the beautiful white bell-flowers that climb the hedges,” Emile added.
“The five petals joined together are just as easily distinguishable in this flower we have here, called snap-dragon.”
“Why is it called snap-dragon?” asked Emile.
“Because when it is pressed on both sides it opens its mouth like an animal.”
Uncle Paul made the flower yawn; under pressure of his fingers it opened and shut its mouth as if biting. Emile looked on in amazement.
“In this mouth there are two lips, upper and lower. Well, the upper lip is split in two by a deep indentation, the sign of two petals, and the lower lip is split in three, indicating three petals. The corolla of the snap-dragon, although apparently all in one piece, is therefore in reality composed of five petals welded together.”
Snap-dragon