Petal connation

Petal connation Free = 0 Connate = 1 Free or connate = 2 Connate in one ring = 3... 

Connation and Adnation.—In the development of the flowers of primitive species of flowering plants, the parts of each whorl are disjoined or separate from each other. In many higher types, however, the parts of the same whorl frequently become partly or completely united laterally. This condition is termed connation, coalescence, cohesion or s)mgenesis. Illustrations of this ihay be seen in Belladonna, Stramonium and Uva Ursi flowers, where the petals have joined laterally to form gamopetalous corollas. When the one or more parts of different whorls are united, as of stamens with petals Rhammus) or stamens with carpels Apocynum) the union is called adnation or adhesion. 

Description Herbaceous biennial. Stems 60-200 cm with red-brownish spots on lower portion. Basal leaves triangular in outline, petiolate, 30-60 cm long, tripinnatisect primary and secondary segments petiolulate, tertiary segments sessile, oblong-ovate, pinnatifld. Inflorescence a compound umbel with 10-20 rays bracts 4, lanceolate, acute bracteoles 3-7, connate at the base. Petals 5, obcordate, white. Fruit a 2-seeded schizocarp, 3-3.5 mm long, nearly orbicular to ovate, with wavy ribs. 

I I Petals distinct or connate B Petals fused in one ring... 

CALYX. Outer whorl of floral envelopes, composed of the sepals the latter may be distinct, or connate in a single structure, sometimes petaloid as in some ranunculaceous flowers CAP. A convex removable covering of a part, as of a capsule in the grape, the cohering petals falling off as a cap CAPITATE. Headed in heads formed like a head aggregated into a very dense or compact cluster... 

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