DIOSCOill ACEjE. SS7 DIOSCOKEA. 



2. S. mucrona'tum. 



Saipr. simple, subsctaceous; spathe colored, outer valve longer than the 

 peduncles, eiidinrr in a long, nincronate point. Found in wet meadows where 

 the grass is not luxuriant, l-eaves radical, a line wide. Scape G — 10 inches 

 high. Spatlie of '2 very unequal valves. H — 4-floweicd, tinged with purple. 

 Flowers smaller than in the preceding, of a fine blue color. June. 



5. CROCUS. 



Pcrianlii funnel- form, ilie segments unilcd at base into a 

 loni; aiuJ sleiulci- tiil)e ; sliijma o-clofi, convolute, cicsicd. 



Named from the youth Crocus, M'ho, according to Grecian mythology, wns 

 chaniied into this flower. Spalhe radical, 1—2 leaved, thin, transparent. 

 The long tube of the flower nearly or quite sessile upon the bulb. After 

 flowering t!ie ovary arises from the ground by the growth of the scape, to 

 ripen its seeds in the sun. 



1. C. SATI'VUS. — Lcnrc.t linear, revolute at the margins; stigmn 

 3-parted, as long as the corolla, reflexed. From Asia. Stem bulbous. Leaves 

 radical, with a longitudinal, white furrow above. Flower nearly or quite 

 sessile on the bulb, with a long white tube, and purjjle, elliptical segments. 

 Stigmas long, emarginate, exsert. of a deep orange-color, its virtues, both 

 medicinal and coloring, reside chiefly in the large stigmas. Sept. A variety, 

 perhaps the most common, hasj'ellow perianths. Stiffion, 



2. C. VF.RNUS. — Sdjirmas included within the flower, with 3, short, 

 wedge-shaped segments. Native of the .Alps. Stem bulbous. Scape an inch 

 or two high, 3-sided. Flowers vary in color, eenerally purple, often yellower 

 white ; tube very long, slender, gradually enlarged upwards, closed at the 

 moulh with a circle of hairs, limb cnmpaiiulate, much shorter than the tube. 

 Anlheis yellow, sagittate. P'lowers in March or April. The Crocus is prop- 

 agated in gardens, chiefly by bulbs. Spring Crocus. 



ORDER CLT. DIOSCORIACE^. Uc Yam Tribe. 



Fls. — Dicecious. Perianth tube adherent to the ovary ; sef^ments of limb C, in 2 series. 

 Sterile. — Stame.Ms 6., inserted into ihe base of the sepals and petals. 

 Fertile.— Ovary .3-celled. cells 1— 2-ovalei!. Styles and s/igiias nearly distinct. 

 Pr. — Capsule 3-win,?ed, compressed, '.2 of the cells .siimelinies alxirtive. 

 Sds. — Flat, compressed. Embryo small, in cartilaginous albumen. 



A small order of twiniiip; shrubs. Leaves usually alternate and reticulate-veined. 

 Flowers inconspicuous. The only remarkable or useful product of this order is yams, an 

 important article of food in all tropical countries. They are the large, mucilaginous, 

 sweetish tubers of Dioscorea saliva, iScc. 



DIOSCO'REA. 



Flowers dioecious; styles of llie fertile flowers 3; cells of 



the capsule 2-seeded ; seeds membranaceoiislj margined. 



Named in honor of Pedacius Dioscorides, a Greek physician and florist, 

 who is supposed to have lived under Nero. 



D. VI LLC's A. 



Leaves alternate, opposite and verticillale, cordate, acuminate, pubescent 

 beneath, 3-nerved ; sUm round. This delicate vine is occasionally found in 

 low woods and hedges, flowering in June. Stem slender, smooth, twining 



