¢ 
540 CXLVIIL HA MODORACEZ. LoprHiota. 
mass of leaves, to the height of 15—25f, bearing a pyramidal panicle. Flowers 
yellow. There isa variety with striped leaves. 
5. HY POXIS. 
Gr. irw, under, ofvs, sharp; on account of the pointed base of the fruit. 
Spathe 2-leaved ; perianth persistent ; capsule elongated, narrowed 
at the base; seeds numerous, roundish, with a black, crustaceous in- 
tegument.—Small, bulbous, grass-like plants, with yellow flowers. Lvs. 
radical, linear. yas 
H. erecta. Star-grass. 
Pilose ; scape about 4-flowered, shorter than the linear-lanceolate leaves, 
—In woods and meadows, Can.and U.S. Leaves all radical, 6—12’ by 3—5”, 
very acute. The slender, hairy scapes, several from the same root, arise 6—8’, 
divided at top into a sort of umbel with 3—5 peduncles having each a minute, 
subulate spathe at the base. Perianth hairy and greenish without, yellow 
within; segments oval, rather obtuse. June. 
Orpver CXLVIIL HAHMODORACEA.—Bvtooproots. 
Herbs with fibrous, perennial roots and perfect flowers. 
Lvs. permanent, ensiform, equitant, usually in 2 ranks. pret’ 4 [cylindrical tube 
Periunth more or less woolly. adherent. the sepals and petals often indistinguishable, and united into t 
Sta. arising trom the perianth, either 3 and opposite the sepals, or 6. 
Ova. 1 or 3-celled, cells 1, 2, or many-ovuled. Szy and stzg. simple. 
Fr.--Capsule covered with the withered perianth, valvular, seldom indehiscent. 
Sds. definite or indefinite. Ewnbryo short, straight, in cartilaginous albumen. 
Genera 13, species 50, sparingly occurring in N. America, S. Africa, New Holland, &c. The root of 
Lacnanthes tinctoria abounds in a red coloring matter. One of the most intense bitters known is Aletris 
osa. 
Conspectus of the Genera. 
2 Re he . ae 
¢ Perianth woolly, 6-parted. Lophiola. 2 
Stamens (6. 2? Perianth mealy, 6-toothed. Aletris. 3 
1. LACNANTHES. Elliot. 
Gr. ayn, soft hair, aySos; in allusion to the woolly corollas. 
Perianth woolly, tube adherent; calyx lobes exterior, of 3 linear 
sepals, as long as the 3 lance-oblong petals; stam. 3, equaling the 
sepals, and opposite to them; stig. minutely 2-lobed ; caps. 3-celled, 
truncated, many-seeded.—Lws. lanceolate-linear. ls. corymbose. 
L. tincroria. Ell. (Dilatris. Pursh.) Red-reot. . 
Swamps and borders of ponds, R. I., Olney! N. J. to Flor. An interest- 
ing plant, with rush-like leaves. Stem erect, strict, 18—24’ high, clothed with 
white wool above. Leaves mostly radical, fleshy, 3—4’ wide and nearly as 
high as the stem. Cauline leaves remote and bract-like. Corymb terminal, 
close, 15—30-flowered. Flowers densely clothed with white wool outside, gla- 
brous and yellow within. Anthers bright yellow. Jl—The root is said to be 
employed in dyeing. 
2, LOPHIOLA. Ker. 
Gr. dowWos, a crest; alluding to the crested petals. 
Perianth half superior, 6-cleft, persistent, woolly ; petals narrower 
than the sepals, somewhat interior; sta. 6; filament naked ; anthers 
erect; style conical, 3-partible; stigma simple; capsule opening at 
the summit, 3-celled, 3-valved, many-seeded—Lwvs. ensiform. ls. 
corymbose. 
L. Americana, Wood. (L, aurea. Ker. Conostyles. Br.) Golden Crest- 
: fl-wer—Sandy swamps, pine barrens, N. J. Stem 1—2f high, erect, 
hoary-tomentose when young. Leaves glaucous, narrowly linear, two-edged, 
glabrous, the lower and radical long, cauline 2 or 3, shorter. Corymb finally 
mueh expanded, many-flowered. Corolla weelly and yellow within, segments 
