472 ii{ii>A<i:.i:. (iitis i-amilv.) 



7. T. recurvata, Pmsli. Leaves seurfv, bristle-awl-sliiipfd, ctiiviil, nearly 

 terete, slioiter tluui the stem ; stem naked alM)ve, 1 - 2-flt)Wered ; eorolla longer 

 than tlie eaiyx. — Kast Floiiihi, Z,«wi<e. — Stem 6' liigh. heaves ush-color, 2- 

 ranked, narrowly eliaimelled. 



* * Sltmsjilijorm, pendent: JJowers solilitri/, (/rren. 



8. T. usneoides, L. (Lose Moss.) Scurfy and lioary ; stems (1°- 2° 

 lonj^) braiuliin^ ; leaves 2-ranked, linear-awl-shaped, recurved ; flowers sessile 

 at the summit of the hranches, small ; sepals lon;j:er than the bracts, half as long 

 as the linear recurved green petals. — Humid situations in the lower districts, 

 Florida to Nortli Carolina, and westwiu'd. June - Sept. 



Okdku lt7. IRIDACEiE. (Tnis Family.) 



Herbs, with linear or sword-sliapcd Cfjuitant nerved leaves, and fuga- 

 cious often showy flowers from a 2-leaved s])at]ie. — Pei-ianth G-parted, 

 the divisions spreading and equal, or the inner ones smaller, convolute in 

 the bud. Stamens 3, distinct or united : anthers extrorse. Ovary adnate 

 to the tube of the perianth, 3-eelled ; the numerous anatropous ovules 

 fixed to the central placentas. Style single: stigmas 3. Capsule loculi- 

 cidally 3-valved. Embryo in the axis of lli'shy albumen. 



Synopsis. 



1. IRIS. Stigmas petal-like, covering tlie stamens : capsule angular. 



2. STSYKIXCinUM. Stigmas filiform : capsule globular : stem flat. 



3. NEMASTYLTS. Stigmas filiform, 2-parted : stem terete. 



1. IRIS, L. Bh:e Flag. Flower-dk-Luce. 



Perianth corolla-like, 6-parted, the exterior divisions recurved, and often 

 crested or bearded within, the interior mostly smaller and erect. Stamens 3, 

 opposite the outer divisions of the perianth, concealed by the dilated petal-like 

 2-lip]ied spreading stigmas. Style 3-angled. Capsule 3 - 6-angled. Seed nu- 

 merous, flattened, packed in 2 rows in tlic cells. — Perennial herbs, with creep- 

 ing or tuberous rootstocks, simple or branched stems, linear or sword-shaped 

 leaves, and showy flowers from a scarious spathe. 



* Stems tali, leafy : divisions of the perianth unequal. 



1 . I. versicolor, L. Stem nearly terete, simple or branched ; leaves 

 sword-shaped ; flowers terminal, single or spiked, crestless ; perianth pale blue, 

 variegated with white, yellow, and purple, the inflated tube shorter than the 

 obtusely 3-angled ovary ; stigmas 2-toothed at the base, with the lips entire, or 

 slightly crenate ; capsule oblong, obtusely 3-angled. — Wet places, Florida, and 

 northward. April and May. — Stem l^°-2° high. Lowest leaves }^°-2° 

 long, 1' - 1^' wide. Perianth 2' long. 



2. I. hexagona, Walt. Stem terete, simple ; leaves lincar-sword-shaped ; 

 flowers axillary and terminal, solitary, crested ; perianth deep blue, variegated 

 with white, yellow, and purple ; the cylindrical angular tube longer than the 



