NAT. ORDER; 



ZAliaceoe. 



CALOCHORTUS LUTEUS. MEXICAN LILY. 



Class V. Pentandria. Order I. Monogynia. 



Gzn. Char. Calyx, five-parted. Petals, five. Stamens, joined into 

 a tube, vphich is ten-toothed at the apex ; the alternate teeth 

 bearing anthers. Antliers, one-celled. Cells, transverse. 



Spe. CJiar. Stigma, of three joined ones, therefore triagonal, three- 

 furrowed. Ovarium, villous. Capsule, three-celled, destitute 

 of any central column. Seeds, mucronate at both ends. 

 This is a small herbaceous plant, with radical, cordate, stiff, 

 crenated leaves ; the scapes are naked, bearing a loose, spicate raceme 

 of small white flowers at the apex ; the stem is upright, straight, of 

 a hard woody texture, and near the top sends off several branches ; 

 the jiowers, which are of a deep beautiful yellow, are placed upon 

 short footstalks, at the extremity of the branches ; the root is a large 

 bulb, from one to two inches in diameter, and very much resembles 

 the common turnip. It is a native of Mexico, but is found growing 

 in the temperate parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It 

 flowers from July till September. 



Propagation and Culture. This plant is but little known in 

 this country ; consequently a lengthy description of the mode of its 

 cultivation, or its history, would not be interesting at this time. 

 Those who have propagated this plant, inform us tha4; it thrives best 

 in a peat soil, and, if planted out in a moist situation, will grow and 

 flower freely. It is readily increased by dividing the roots. 



Vol. iii— 70. 



