EPIGYNE^ 303 



In height the Gladiolus is i to 3 ft. It flowers in 

 June and July, and is a herbaceous perennial. 



The anthers ripen before the stigmas. The tube, 

 which is curved, is short so that the flowers are 

 adapted to humble bees. The flowers are sometimes 

 complete, sometimes female only. Being conspicuous, 

 the flowers are visited by insects, and cross-pollin- 

 ation results. 



The seeds, being winged, may be wind-dispersed, 

 being also blown out of the capsule by the wind. 



The only names are Corn Flag (used for Csegetum), 

 Jacob's Ladder, and around Torquay the name Fox- 

 glove is given to the garden forms. 



Gladiolus illyricus. — Note in the illustrationy 

 Fig. 82, the one-sided character of the flowering spike, 

 with lance-shaped spathes or bracts. The perianth is 

 curved, the segments spoon-shaped. 



78. The Snowdrop Group. 



Of the Order Amaryllidaceae there are about 700 

 species and seventy-five genera. Amongst British 

 plants are included the Narcissus, Snowdrop, and 

 the Snowflake. 



These plants are found in the Tropical, Subtropical 

 and Temperate regions. The group is related to the 

 Liliaceae, but the ovary is inferior. The Amaryll- 

 idaceae are also related to the Iridacese, but have six 

 stamens, not three. 



