3 86 



THE LILIALES 



occupies a medium position in the evolution of the group. The 

 flowers are large and of the Erythronium type. Here belong 

 some of the most showy of our native and cultivated plants ; the 

 day lily, Erythronium, tulips, hyacinths, lilies, Fritillaria, onion, 

 aloes and Spanish bayonets (Yiicca) of arid regions. Among 

 the higher genera of the lily family the organs of the perianth 

 often cohere, forming a tubular structure. In the Amaryllis 

 family we find the same type of flower and fruit as in the lily 

 family, but the basal growth of the receptacle has enveloped the 

 ovary so that the flower has become epigynous (Fig. 289, A). 



Fig. 289. Advanced forms of the Liliales : A, Narcissus with inferior 

 ovary, 0. The six sepals cohere at their base, forming a tube and they 

 also develop an outgrowth at the mouth of this tube, which surrounds the 

 anthers and stigma like a cup. B, flower of Iris. C, section of same, 

 showing inferior ovary, 0; stigma, s; and anther, a. 



This large family furnishes a number of showy flowers, as the 

 jonquil and daffodil ( Narcissus), amaryllis, snowflake, Criiiitm, 

 star grass, century plant, etc. The flowers of some genera be- 

 come irregular through the unequal development of certain leaves 

 of the perianth. The Iris family marks the culmination of the 

 variations noted in the order. The type of flower and fruit are like 



