Classification of Plants 



195 



Acidanthera. — Perianth nearly regular, with a long tube. Bracts 



long, green. 

 Synnotia. — Perianth irregular. Bracts paper)-, deeply cut. 

 Gladiolus. — Perianth irregular, with a funnel-shaped tube. Bracts 



large, green, lanceolate. 

 Antholyza. — Perianth irregular ; tube swollen at the middle. Bracts 



oblong, lanceolate. 



Morsea. — Flowers without a tube, regular, but the petals 

 are much smaller than the sepals. Sepals showy, usually 



Fig. 197. — Mpnra 

 tripetala. 



Fig. 198. — Gladiolus gracilis. 



narrowed into a claw. Petals lanceolate, sometimes minute 

 with a long tapering point. 



The genus is known from the other genera by the large petal-like 

 stigmas. It is nearly like the Iris, "The fleur-de-lys," which is the flower 

 of chivalry, the emblem of the Crusader, I.ouis VII. 



The anthers turn back from the stigmas to discharge their 

 pollen. The moist stigma is placed in position to receive 



