IRIDE^. 195 



/. plicata. L. Flower de Luce. A tall and splendid plant 

 of gardens ; odor of flowers pleasant. 



/. pumila. L. Dwarf Iris. A small species from Hungary, 

 often set for the edging of walks ; very beautiful early in the spring. 



/. ochroleuca. L. Yellow Iris. A beautiful species with 

 yellowish flowers, from the East. 



/. Chinensis. L. Stripid Iris, from China. Another fine 

 species. 



It is rather singular, that of the 70 species of this genus, no 

 more have come into cultivation for their beauty. 



Gladiolus. L. 3. 1. Corn-flag. 



Named from its sword-like leaves ; a genus of 80 species, of 

 which only 1 or 2 seem to have found their way into our gardens, 

 or as pot-flowers. 



G. communis. L. Corn-flag. A beautiful species, with fine 

 leaves and splendid flowers ; indigenous to the South of Europe. 



SiSYRINCHIUM. L. 3. 1. 



Chiefly an American genus ; 3 species belong to the United 

 States ; one is common over the country. Spathe 2-leafed, 

 corolla flat, equal. 



S. anceps. L. Blue-eyed Grass. A beautiful, grass-like 

 plant, with two-edged stem, and flat leaves, growing over pastures 

 and upland meadows, with a few fine blue flowers. It would be a 

 beautiful plant in gardens, and would grow probably without difii- 

 culty. A foot high or less ; July. 



Crocus. L. 3. 1. 



Spathe radical, and corolla funnel-form with a long slender 

 tube ; a beautiful genus of plants. 



C. sativus. L. Saffron. Sometimes named C. officinalis, L., 



