128 



List of Species. 



1 Kaempferia, Linn. 2 Strelitzia, Ait. 



natalensis, Schltr. B. Augusta, 'J'hb. AB- 



ORDER CLXXIL H^MODORAOEJE, 



A small family, two genera of which are found in Natal, one of 

 which is represented by a single species only. The only genus of the 

 Order having any economic value is Sanseviera, whose leaves yield 

 the " Bowstring Hemp " of commerce which is being cultivated com- 

 mercially in several parts of the worhl. We have but two species of 

 this genus indigenous to the Colony, but another one (-6'. sulcata) is 

 found in the Transvaal. 



Number of species 120. 



ORDKR CLXXm. IRIDE.^. 



A family which is well represented in South Africa, some of the 

 tfenera being quite confined to it. The tubers or rhizomes of many of 

 the species of Iris liave been, and perhaps still are used medicinally, 

 those of /. /orevAhV/a are known as Orris root. The stigmas of Crocus 

 sntiva are dried and used as a yellow dye, and ;-.lso medicinally, they 

 form the " Saffron' of commerce Many of our indigenous species of 

 the Order bear handsome flo^^ers, more especia ly those of Gladic lus, 

 Watsonia and 1 ritt nia, while the tubers of somt species of Moraea are 

 said to be poison us, and the leaves are called by the Dutch and 

 Colonists " Tulp " or " Tulip," and are certainly deleterious to catt.e. 



Number of species more than 700. 



KEY TO SUBORDERS. 



Inflorescence corymbose, flowers comparatively fugitive, 

 generally more than 1 to a spathe. Stamens 

 opposite to -the style-branches, and adpressed to 



them. A More^:. 



Inflorescence corymbose. Stamens alternate with the 



style-brnnches. B Sisyrinchiej:. 



Inflorescence spicate. Flowers not fugitive, solitary, 



each subtended by a pair of spathe valves, C Ixiej;. 



