Descr. Bulbs, arising from an oblique perennial root-stock 
thicker than a quill, which gives out downwards abundant 
radicular fibres, and is sheathed by a dense coating of dry 
matted wiry fibres. eaves five or six, sheathing the base of 
the stem for about a couple of inches, all leaving it at the 
same point, suberect, fleshy, narrow-linear, six or nine inches 
long, two or three lines broad, flat, fleshy, glaucous. Scape 
over-topping the leaves, nearly terete. V/owers two to ten 
in a close umbel which droops before they expand. <Spathe 
large membranous ovate-lanceolate, usually simple, tinged 
with purple. Pedicels shorter than the flowers. Perianth 
permanently campanulate, deep purple, half or even three- 
quarters of an inch deep, the segments obovate or oblong » 
with a distinct cusp. Stamens not more than half as long as 
the perianth, the filaments uniform slightly flattened. Style 
twice as long as the depressed globose ovary, tricuspidate at 
the very tip. Ovu/es two ina cell. Seeds black triquetrous. 
—J. G. Baker. 
Fig. 1, Flower, with the corolla laid open; 2, apex of pedicel and ovary 
—both magnified. 
