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A TEXTBOOK OF THEORETICAL BOTANY 



5. Amaryllideae. Rootstock usually bulbous, producing a small umbel 

 of large, brightly-coloured flowers which are usually zygo- 

 morphic. Perianth tube absent or short. Ovary trilocular with 

 numerous ovules in each loculus. Amaryllis and Nerine. 



The genera Amaryllis and Nerine (Fig. 1965) are both found wild in 

 South Africa but are commonly cultivated in this country. Amaryllis bella- 

 donna is the only species and is found in Cape Colony. It has been exten- 

 sively cultivated and a number of garden varieties have been produced. 



Fig. 1965. — Nerine flexiiosa. Umbellate inflorescence. 



Nerine has a similar distribution but there are some fifteen species. They 

 are also cultivated but are less commonly seen than the previous genus. 



6. Crineae. Rootstock usually a large bulb. Inflorescence a cluster of 



many flowers, or occasionally a solitary flower; involucre com- 

 posed of two bracts. Flowers actinomorphic or zygomorphic. 

 Perianth tube long. Ovary trilocular containing numerous ovules 

 in each loculus. Criniim, Cyrtanthus and Ungernia. 

 The genus Criniim occurs in tropical and subtropical climates, 

 particularly along the coasts. Several species are cultivated. The 

 seeds of C. asiaticum have thin, corky coverings and are apparently distri- 

 buted by water. The ovule has no integuments and the testa is replaced 

 by cork which is developed on the outside of the endosperm. There are 

 sixteen species of the genus Cyrtanthus found growing in tropical and 

 southern Africa, several of which are grown as ornamental flowers. 



7. Zephyrantheae. Rootstock generally a bulb. Flowers actinomorphic 



and solitary or in biflorous umbels. Perianth tube elongated. 

 Involucre composed of two bracts which may be free or united. 

 Ovary trilocular with numerous ovules in each loculus. Zephyr- 

 anthes, Haylockia, Sternhergia and Cooperia. 



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