400 fiEXANDRiA MONOGYNrA. 



3 — 5. Peduncles by pairs, one flowered, pendulous, jointed. Corolla 



campanulate, the interiur petals tlie longest. Linn, Flowers dioi- 

 C0U9. Willd. 



This fine vegetable, a native originally of Europe, is now natural- 

 ized in our country. It grows freely around enclosures and in pas- 

 tures where the seed is* deposited by birds. 



Grows in most soils, preferring those which are moderately dry. 



Flowers through the summer. 



YUCCA. Gen. pl, 580, 



Corolla campanulato- [ Cordla campaniilate, 

 patens. Stylus nulliis. | expanding:. Style 0. Cap^ 

 Capsula 34ocula<is. | side 3 celled. 



1. FlLAMENTOSA. 



Y. acaulis ; foliis lance. Stemless ; leaves lan- 

 olatis, intf^genimis, mar- ceolate, entire, with the 

 gine filamentosis ; stig- margin filanieiitose ; stig- 

 Inatilms recurvato-paten- j mas recurved, expaiid- 

 tibus. Pursh, i. p. 227- | ing. 



Sp. pL 2. p. 184. AValt. p. 124. Mich, 2. p. 196. 



Perennial ; producing its leaves almost from the surface of the 

 earth. Leaves 1 — 2 feet long, li inch Avide, acute, but not rigid? 

 nor terminating in a spine ; the margin serrulate and bearing long 

 threads, that appear to detach themselves from its surface. Scap 

 7 — 8 feet high, terminating in a long panicle of white flowers. 



Grows in loose, rich soils, not confineti to the sea coast The 

 leaves of this plant twisted and tied together are used for strings, 

 ropes, and even cables for small boats. It appears to possess the 

 stronpst fibres of any vegetable whatever, nnd if it can be raised 

 with facility may form a valuable article in domestic ceconomy. 



Flowers August. Silk grass. Bear grass. 



The root is substituted for soap in washing woollens. 



J ^ 



I- 



S. Gloriusa, 



Y. caulesccns'; foliis I Bearing; a stem 5 leaves 



lanceolatis, plicatis, inte- | lanceolate, plaited, very 

 gerrimis; petalis lanceo- entire j petals lanceolate, 

 latis. Pursh, 1. p. 2^8, | • 



Sp. pi. 2. p. 183. Walt. p. 124. Mich. 1. p. i9f\ 



