271 



relation of Pontedereae is with Asphodeleaer, (to which Link actually refers Pon- 

 tedera,) and Butomea?, from both which they are known by their irregular 

 flowers rolling inwards after expansion, independently of more minute charac- 

 ters derived from the structure of the seeds and fruit. Dr. Hooker, who has 

 given an excellent figure of Pontederia azurea, states that each fibre of the 

 roots has a calyptrate covering at the extremity, similar to that found on the 

 roots of the Duck-weed. 



Geography. Water-plants found exclusively in North and South America, 

 the East Indies, and tropical Africa. 



Properties. Plants with neat deep green leaves and showy flowers ; of 

 no known use. 



Examples. Pontederia, Hcteranthera. 



CCXLVII. ASPHODELEiE. The Asphodel Tribe. 



Asparagi and Asphodeli, of Juss. chiefly, (1789). — Asphodele.e, R. Brown, Prodr. 275. 

 (1810); Dec. and Dubij, 463. (1828) a section of Liliacea: ; lAndl. Sy?iops. 266. (1829).— 

 Alliace-E, Aloin.e, H vacinthin.k, Dracenacee, Link Handb. vol. 1. (1829,) all sections 

 o/*Liliaceac. — Asparagin^e, lb. 272. (1829.) 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloideous monocotyledons, with a superior ovarium, 

 anthers turned inwards, a coloured perianthium, a 3-celled fruit, a hard black 

 brittle testa, and an undivided style. 



Anomalies. Tricoryne has three distinct carpella. 



Essential Character. — Calyx and corolla forming a 6-parted or 6-cleft, petaloid, regular 

 ■perianthium. Stamens 6, inserted upon the perianthium, or hypogynous ; the 3 opposite the 

 sepals sometimes either unlike the rest or wanting, Ovarium superior, 3-celled, with 2- or 

 many-seeded cells ; ovules when 2, ascending; style 1; stigma entire, or with 3 short lobes. 

 Fruit mostly a 3-celled, 3-valved capsule, with a loculicidal dehiscence; occasionally succu- 

 lent, and sometimes 3-parted. Seeds with a testa, which is black, brittle, and crustaceous ; 

 albumen fleshy ; embryo included. — Herbaceous plants, or occasionally trees, with bulbs, or fas- 

 cicled roots. Leaves with parallel veins. Peduncles articulated in the middle. Flowers co- 

 loured. 



Affinities. There is really no other absolute distinction between these 

 and Juncea: on the one hand, than their more petaloid perianthium and hard 

 brittle testa ; or Liliacea?, on the other, than their smaller flowers and testa. 

 They are, nevertheless, properly established as an independent order, occupy- 

 ing a higher place in the scale of developement than the Rush tribe, and a 

 lower than that of Lilies. From Melanthaceee they are known by their an- 

 thers not being turned outwards ; from Smilacea?, their simple undivided style, 

 narrow leaves, erect habit, and hard brittle testa, are marks of separation ; at 

 least it seems that, unless the two tribes are to be so distinguished, they must 

 be considered the same. By some they are actually united ; by others different 

 limits have been sought ; but the baccate and capsular genera can by no means 

 be collected into two groupes. Mr. Brown justly remarks (Prodr. 275), that 

 there is very commonly in this tribe an articulation in the middle, or at the 

 apex of the peduncle, which is scarcely found in any of the neighbouring 

 tribes, except in some Aneilemas, among Commelinea3, and in Sanseviera, a 

 genus usually referred to Asphodeleae, but which Mr. Brown appears to consi- 

 der belonging to some other tribe, without stating to what, perhaps to his He- 

 merocallideee, which are understood here to be the same as Liliaceae. The 

 greatest confusion exists in authors as to the limits of the orders near Asphode- 

 leae, particularly in regard to those now mentioned. 



