BARREN FLOWERS. The male or staminate flowers of many plants, such as the Cucumber, Melon, &c., are popularly known as Barren Flowers, i.e., they produce no fruit. This condition is, in some respects, similar to "blind" Strawberries or "blind" Cabbages, so far as fruition is concerned, but structurally and functionally it is widely different. The Barren Flowers of the Cucumber, Melon, &c., are produced by what are known as monoecious plants, i.e., having male and female organs in different flowers, but on the same plant. In the Strawberry, &c., Barren Flowers are generally the result of unfavourable surroundings, or unskilful cultivation. A good example of Barren Flowers is seen in the ray-florets of many Composite plants, which are frequently really neuter, having neither male nor female organs.