Fig. 195.—Diagram of flower of Orchis mascula with two additional lips, two perfect and two imperfect stamens (after Cramer).
Morren[454] describes some flowers of Orchis morio in which there were three sepals, three petals, and within the latter two other ternary series of petals; this would seem to be a case of petalody of all six stamens. Morren, however, seems to have considered the additional segments as repetitions of the corolline whorl, though he describes a central mass as the column bearing a "souvenir of the anther." Nevertheless, there is no decisive evidence either in his figure or his description in support of his opinion as to the nature of the central mass, which might be a distorted condition of the styles, or, as is more probable, a rudimentary and irregular flower. Morren also describes another flower of the same plant in which there were three sepals, two lateral petals partially lip-like in aspect, a third labellum normal, two additional labella representing the two anterior stamens of the outer whorl, while more or less developed rudiments of the remaining four stamens also exist.
While, in most cases, the supernumerary stamens can, by reason of their relative position, their complete or partial antheriferous nature, be safely referred to one or other of the six stamens, making up a typical orchid flower, there are other specimens in which the additional stamens are altogether adventitious, and do not admit of reference to the homologue. Thus it was in a specimen of Odontoglossum Alexandræ examined by the writer, and in which, within a normally constructed perianth, there were six columns, all polliniferous, but arranged in so confused and complicated a manner that it was impossible to make out any definite relation in their position. There was nothing to indicate a fusion of flowers, but rather an extension of the centre of the flower, and consequent displacement of the stamens, &c. Again, the existence of adventitious stamens does not necessarily imply the development of organs usually suppressed, inasmuch as they may result from the assumption by the lateral petals of staminal characteristics.
Nevertheless, as far as teratology is concerned, specimens may be found in which some or all of the usually suppressed stamens of Orchidaceæ may be found. These stamens may be all perfect (polliniferous), or, as is more frequently the case, more or less petal-like. Moreover, when the stamens are petalodic, the form assumed is usually that of the labellum.
The presence of stamens in undue numbers in orchids is very generally, but not always, attended by some coincident malformation, of which the most frequent is cohesion of two or more sepals, and consequent displacement or adhesion of one petal to the side of the column. Petalody of the styles and median prolification are also sometimes found in association with an augmented number of stamens.
Fig. 196.—Increased number of carpels, tulip.