376 COMMELYNACEiE. 



Order CXXXVIII. H^MODORACE^.— Blood Roots. 



Perianth petaloid, 6 -cleft, usually more or less woolly. Sta- 

 mens inserted on the perianth, either 3 and opposite the inner 

 segments, or 6 ; anthers bursting inwardly. Stigma undivided. 

 Fruit capsular, somewhat nucamentaceous. — Herbaceous plants, 

 with fibrous perennial roots and permanent ensiform equitant 

 leaves. 



1. LACHNANTHES. ^ZZ.— Lachnanthes. 



Perianth superior, 6-cleft ; segments unequal. Stamens 3. 

 Style declining. Stigma minutely 3-lobed. Capsule 3-celled, 

 truncate, many-seeded. 



L. t'mctoria EU. Dilatris tinctoria Pursh. 



Sandy swamps. N. J. to Flor. July. %.. — Stem erect, 2 feet high, hairy at 

 the top. Leaves ensiform, shorter than the stem. Flowers in a corymbose pan- 

 icle, woolly, yellow withiii. The root yields a red color, which is used for dye- 

 ing. Red Root. 



2. '? ALETRIS. Linn.—Stdit Grass. 



(From the Greek aXtiap, meal ; in allusion to the mealy appearance of the 

 flowers.) 



Perianth tubular or tubular-campanulate, rugose, 6-cleft. 

 Stamens 6, inserted at the orifice of the tube. Style triquetrous, 

 finally 3 -parted. Capsule 3-celled, many-seeded, opening at 

 the summit. 



1. A. farinosa Linn. : leaves radical, lanceolate, acuminate, smooth ; 

 flowers pedicellate, oblong-tubular; perianth rugose-muricate. A. alba 

 Mich. 



Sandy woods. Can. to Car. July. %. — Scape 2 feet high, with several 

 bract-like leaves. Flowers white, in a terminal raceme which is sometimes a 

 foot in length. Perianth appearing as if covered with a rough powder. The 

 root is intensely bitter. Star-grass. Colic Root. 



2. A. aurea Walt. : leaves radical, lanceolate, acuminate ; flowers sub- 

 sessile, short ; perianth rugose and very rough. 



Sine Barrens. N. J. to Car. July, Aug. %. — Scape 2 — 3 feet liigh. Flowers 

 , ow, in a terminal raceme, less numerous than in the preceding. 



Yellow Star-grass 



Order CXXXIX. COMMELYNACE^.— Spiderworts. 



Perianth in 2 rows ; outer row herbaceous, 3 -leaved ; innei 

 petaloid, 3 -leaved or 3 -cleft. Stamens 6 or fewer, some of 

 them deformed or abortive. Ovary 3-celled ; stigma 1. Cap- 



