Cross. — Investigations on Phormium. 65 



The following is a brief outline of the classification :- 



Phormium tenax. 



Group A (seven varieties). 



I. Habit, erect ; fans well separated. 



II. Leaves, light green, rigid ; butt only slightly reddish ; margin 

 narrow, distinct, and thickened. 



IV. Inflorescences, erect, stout, straight. 

 V. Flower, dark red. 



VI. Capsules, erect, stout, straight. 



Group B (three varieties). 



I. Habit, inner leaves erect, outer drooping. 

 II. Leaves, light green, rigid, very wide, shorter than those of A ; butt 



very red ; margin " running in." 

 IV. Inflorescences, more numerous than those of A. stout, straight. 

 V. Floivers, darker red than in A. 

 VI. Capsules, very numerous, erect, stout, straight. 



Group C (four varieties). 

 I. Habit, drooping, especially outer leaves ; fans more closely set. 

 HI. Leaves, dark green, not rigid ; margins narrow, distinct, and 



thickened ; butt of medium redness. 

 IV. Inflorescences, numerous, tapering scorpioid, falling in all directions. 



V. Flowers, dark red. 



VI. Capsules, inclined at various angles, straight and narrow. 



Group D (ten varieties). 



I. Habit, erect : fans closely set. 



II. Leaves, very narrow and rigid ; butt" of medium redness. 

 IV. Inflorescences, "few, erect, short and straight. 



V. Floivers, dark red. 

 VI. Capsules, erect, short, straight, flattened on top. 



Group E (three varieties). 



I. Habit, drooping ; fans closely set. 

 II. Leaves, long and wide ; margins narrow, distinct, and thickened ; 



butt of medium redness. 

 IV. Inflorescences, numerous, spreading in all directions, straight, 

 tapering, and somewhat slender. 

 V. Flowers, bright red or yellowish red. 



VI. Capsules, erect, long, narrow, generally slightly twisted. 



Gradation Forms. 

 Group F (five varieties). 

 I. Habit, fairly erect ; fans closely set. 



II. Leaves, light green, narrow, thin, and flaccid ; margins narrow, 



distinct, unthickened, and inclined to curl backwards ; butt 



of medium redness. 

 IV. Inflorescences, numerous, short, erect, and slender. 



V. Flowers, dark red. 

 VI. Capsules, stout, short, erect, straight or twisted. 



3 — -Trans. 



