474 DIOSCOREACE^. (yAM FAMILY.) 



1. S. Bermudiana, L. Leaves linear, erect; stem simple or sparingly 

 branched, naktcl or 1-2-leaved, more or less broadly :2-\vinged ; leaves of the 

 sputhc equal and shorter than the flowers, or the lower one much longer tlian 

 the flowers ; perianth blue, yellow in the centre ; the divisions notched and 

 bristle-awncd at the apex. (S. mucronatum, Mirhjc.) — Grassy meadows, or 

 sometimes in drj' soil, Florida, and northward. July and Aug. — Stem C- 18' 

 high. Leaves mostly shorter than the stem. Flowers 4-6 in a spathe, h' wide, 

 opening in the evening. 



3. NEMASTYLIS, Nutt. 



Perianth 6-parted, the divisions nearly equal and spreading. Stamens 3, dis- 

 tinct, with the suliulate filaments much shorter than the elongated linear aniiiers. 

 Style sliort, 3-lo!)eii, with the lobes 2-parted, each division jjroduced into filiform 

 nidiating stigmas. Capsule oblong, truncated. — Herbs with coated bulbous 

 roots, linear plicate leaves, and very fugacious flowers from a 2-leavcd spathe. 



1. IT. CCelestina, Nutt. Bulb small, roundish; radical leaves few, elon- 

 gated, sheathing; those of the stem diminishing iqnvard, the uppermost bract- 

 liUe ; flowers mostly solitary, terminal ; divisions of the perianth oblong-obovate ; 

 capsule obtusely 3-angled ; seeds angular, brown. (Ixia ca'lestina, Uartram) — 

 I'inc barrens, Florida to South Carolina, and westward. May and June. — Stem 

 Uo _ 2° high. Flowers bright blue. 



Ordku 148. DIOSCOREACE.'T]. (Yam Family.) 



Twining herbs, with tuberous roots, ribbed and reticulated loaves, and 

 small regular dioecious flowrers, in axillary spikes or jjanides. — Perianth 

 6-parted, the tube (in the fertile flower) adherent to the 3-celled ovary. 

 Stamens 6 : anthers 2-celIed, introrse. Ovidos anatropous, 1 - 2 in eacli 

 cell. Styles .3, more or k'ss united below. Fruit mostly capsular, 3-G- 

 seeded. Embryo minute, in hard albumen. 



1. DIOSCOREA, Plum. Yam. 



Tulic of the perianth 3-winged. Stamens inserted at the base of the limb. 

 Capsule 6-seecled, memliranaccous, 3 winged, opening septicidally tlirough tiie 

 wings. Seeds flat, broadly winged. — Leaves petioled, mostly cordate and entire. 

 Petioles tumid at the base. 



1. D. villosa, L Stem smooth (10°- 1.5° long) ; leaves altcniatc, oppo- 

 site, or whoried, broadly cordate, acuminate, 7-'Jnerved, smootli, or pubescent 

 beneath, mo-tly longer than the slender ]u>tiole ; flijwers very small, whitish ; the 

 sterile ones in scattered clusters on the very slender branches of the axillary 

 panicles , the fertile in a simple spike ; stigmas notched at the apex ; ca[)';ulc 

 oval orobovate, stronirlv 3 win'j-ed. nodding (D quatcrnata, Wait.) —Margins 

 of swamps, Florida, and nonhwaid July. 



