474 DIOSCOUKACK.*;. (VAM I.V.MII.V.) 



1. S. Bermudiana, L. Lojivos linenr, erect; stem simple or sparintjlj 

 l)r:uuliod, iiiikid or 1 -S-leiivcd, more or less broadly 2-\viii}j^d ; leaves of the 

 Fpathc ei|iial and shorter than the Howers, or the lower one niiuh longer than 

 the flowei-s ; jjerianth blue, yellow in the centre ; the divisions notched and 

 bristle-awned at the apex. (S. inucroiiatuni, Mirhx.) — Grassy meadows, or 

 sometimes in dry soil, Florida, and northward. July and Aiip. — Stem 6'- 18' 

 high. Leaves mostly shorter than tiie stem Flowers 4-C in a spathe, ^' wide, 

 opening in the evening. 



3. NEMASTYLIS, Nutt. 



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

 tinct, with the subulate filaments much shorter than the elongated linear anthers. 

 Style short, S-lobed, with the lobes 2-parted, each division proiluced into filiform 

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

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



1. N. COBlestina, Xutt. Bulb small, roundish ; radical leaves few, elon- 

 gated, sheathing; those of the stem diminishing upward, the uppennost bract- 

 like ; flowers mostly solitiiry, terminal ; divisions of the perianth oblong-obovate ; 

 capsule obtusely 3-angled ; seeds angular, brown. (Ixia coelestina, Bartram) — 

 IMne barrens, Florida to South Carolina, and westward. May and June. — Stem 

 U° - 2° hi<rh. Flowers bright blue. 



Ordku 148. DIOSCOREACE^. (Yam Family.) 



Twining horljs. with tuberous roots, ribbed and reticulated leaves, and 

 small regular ditccious flowers, in axillary spikes or panicles. — Perianth 

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

 Stamens 6 : anthers 2-celled, introrse. Ovules anatroj)ous, 1 - 2 in each 

 cell. Styles 3, more or less united below. Fruit mostly capsular, 3-6- 

 seeded. Embryo minute, in hard albumen. 



1. DIOSCOREA, Plum. Yam. 



Tube of the perianth 3-wingcd. Stamens inserted at the base of the limb. 

 Capsule 6-seeded, membranaceous, 3 winged, opening scpticidally through the 

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

 Petioles tumid at the base. 



1. D. villosa, L. Stem smooth (10<^- 15° long) ; leaves alternate, oppo- 

 site, or wiiorlcd, broadly cordate, acuminate, 7-9-nervcd, smooth, or pubescent 

 beneath, mostly longer than the slender petiole ; flowers 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 ape.x ; capsule 

 oval or obovate, strongly 3 winged, nodding (D quatcrnata, Walt.) — Margins 

 of swamps, Florida, and northward. July. 



