2022 A TEXTBOOK OF THEORETICAL BOTANY 



developed in two whorls which may not be equal in size. A corona is often 



present, and the perianth segments are frequently united into a tube. 



The androecium consists of six stamens, which are inserted opposite 



the perianth segments. These stamens are hypogynous, or may be 



inserted on the tube or at the base of the segments. The filaments are 



either free or else expanded at the base and connate forming a corona. 



The anthers are bilocular, introrse and either versatile or basifixed. The 



lobes open by longitudinal slits. 



The gynoecium is composed of three carpels and the ovary may be 



either superior or inferior. Placentation is usually axile. The style is either 



capitate or trilobed. The ovules are anatropous, arranged superimposed in 



two rows in each loculus. 



The fruit is either a capsule or may be fleshy and indehiscent. 



The seeds are numerous and contain a fleshy endosperm enclosing a 



small embryo. Sometimes the seeds are angular, compressed or winged. 

 The family includes about ninety genera and about i,ooo species. They 



are characteristic of the temperate and warm temperate regions of the world 



and comparatively few are found in the tropics. 



Reference has already been made to the reasons for the adoption of a 

 new set of principles in limiting the Amaryllidaceae. This has led on the 

 one hand to the inclusion within the family of several groups previously 

 regarded as part of the Liliaceae while on the other hand it has resulted in 

 the exclusion of a considerable part of the Amaryllidaceae as conceived by 

 Engler. Of the four sub-families which he recognized, only the first, the 

 Amarylloideae, is now retained, the others are referred to separate families. 

 The following classification of the Amaryllidaceae is taken from 

 Hutchinson's treatment of the family and it should be pointed out that he 

 does not recognize sub-families in his method of classification of the 

 Angiosperms but prefers to group the genera of a family simply in a series of 

 tribes. 



1. Agapantheae. Rootstock a rhizome, bearing a leafless scape-like 



stem. The inflorescence is an umbel subtended by two or more 

 involucral bracts. The perianth segments are all similar and 

 united into a tube with six stamens inserted on it. The ovary 

 is superior and the fruit a loculicidal capsule. Agapanthus and 

 Tidbaghia. 



Species of Agapanthus occur in South Africa and several are 

 cultivated in gardens. The best known is A. umbeUatus (African Lily), 

 which bears large umbels of conspicuous blue flowers. It is often grown as 

 a show plant in tubs placed out of doors during the summer months. 



2. AUieae. Rootstock a bulb or a corm. Stem scapose and leafless, 



the leaves being all radical and often with long, sheathing bases. 

 The inflorescence is an umbel subtended by an involucre of two 

 or more bracts. The perianth is composed of six, equal, free 



