Ayris. | , CXLII. XYRIDEZ (BROWN). 7 
1. XYRIS, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Pl. iii. 842, 
Sepals 3; two lateral and exterior, boat-shaped, keeled ; one interior, 
membranous, convolute or obtusely calyptriform, closely enveloping the 
corollawhen in the bud, circumscissile at the base and deciduous as 
the corolla develops. Corolla with a slender tube and 3 spreading 
cuneate-obovate lobes. Staminodia 3, simple, bifid or 2-armed, 
-glabrous, hairy, or divided into a brush-like tuft of hairs, Style fili- 
form, without tubercles or processes, 3-branched above ; stigmas dilated 
or subcapitate. —Peduncles with a basal sheath, naked above. All other 
characters as in the Order. 
A genus of about 150 species, having the same distribution as the Order, 
In the following descriptions, flowering bracts taken from the middle of the spike 
are those described, unless others are specially mentioned, and their nervation is given 
as seen by transmitted light when they are placed in water, The shape and breadth 
of the lateral sepals is given as when seen lying on their side. In most of the species 
the leaves and peduncles are usually more or less twisted. The ciliation or toothing 
on the keel of the lateral sepals in some species is very minute, and, unless examined 
under a lens of considerable power, may easily be overlooked. The dorsal area, men- 
tioned in the descriptions, is an area on the back of the bracts in which the surface is 
of a different character from the rest of the bract and usually appears somewhat 
impressed, as if stamped upon it. 
Outermost bracts 4-6 in. long, unequal, spreading, much 
longer than the spike and forming a distinct involucre 1. X. foliolata, 
Outermost bracts shorter or nearly equalling the spike, 
adpressed, not forming a spreading involucre. 
Bracts (or at least 2 or 3 of the outermost) with a stout 
awn at the apex ; plants 1-3 ft. high. 
Bracts dull dark brown, with broad white lacerate 
and ciliate membranous margins . ° 2. X. aristata. 
Bracts blackish or dark brown, shining, witht 
membranous margins. 
Inner bracts ciliate at the apex; lateral sepals very 
distinctly and evenly ciliate all along the keel 
from the base to the apex . 3. X. rigidescens. 
Inner bracts not ciliate at the apex ; lateral sepals 
minutely ciliate along the middle part of the 
keel or occasionally to the apex, but not on 
the basal third 4. X, dispar. 
Bracts all without awns, but sometimes shortly muero- 
nate (see also X. dispar, in which most of the 
bracts are without awns). 
* Bracts(or at least the inner), minutely ciliolate 
at the apex, very obtuse. 
Keel of lateral sepals very narrowly winged, 
not ciliate . . 22. X. angustifolia. 
Keel of lateral sepals ciliates bracts chestnut- 
brown. 
Spike 23 lin. thick ; bracts with a distinct 
greyish dorsal. area . . 29. X, congensis, 
Spike 3-33 lin. thick; bracts shining 
rowing with an obscure dorsal area 
on some of them . : : . 80. X. nitida. 
