Abstract
IV.—Degeneration THE cases already detailed lead us gradually up to the *¦ consideration of those very degenerate flowers whose structure has become completely debased, and especially of those which have green perianths instead of coloured corollas. As a rule, evolutionists have taken it for granted that green flowers were the earliest of any, and that from them the coloured types have been derived by insect selection. But if the principles laid down so far be correct, then it is obvious that, since all petals were originally yellow, green petals must be degraded, or at least altered types. Of course, the flowers of gymno-sperms (in their blossoming stage) are mostly composed of green scales or leaves; and so it no doubt remains true that all flowers are ultimately descended from green, or greenish, ancestors. But if petals are by origin modified stamens, it will folio* that all corollas at least were once coloured; and we shall probably see reason in the sequel to extend the principle to all perianths whatsoever. Without insisting upon the rule too dogmatically, so as to embrace every kind of angiosperm, we may, with some confidence, assert that wherever a flower possesses a rudiment of a perianth in any form, it is descended from coloured and entomophilous ancestors.
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ALLEN, G. The Colours of Flowers, as Illustrated by the British Flora 1 . Nature 26, 371–375 (1882). https://doi.org/10.1038/026371b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/026371b0