THE LILY FAMILY 



105 



far north as the Orkneys. It can bear uninjured a temperature 

 of 15*-* Fahrenheit, and it is only at O'^ that the tops of the 

 leaves become frost-bitten. It appears to be a plant suitable 

 for universal naturalization, on account of the varying 

 temperature it will bear unhurt, and the fact that sheep and 

 cattle do not usually eat it. 



Fig. 28. Pbormium tenax. (The New Zealand Flax.) 



The root of the Phorinium is a thick, creeping rhizome. 

 The leaves have no footstalks, but ascend straight from the 

 crown of the plant. The flowers are more curious than 

 beautiful, and are of a dull, dingy red, or sometimes yellow 

 colour. The dark stamens hang out far below the petals, and 

 are tipped with bright yellow anthers. These blossoms secrete 

 a great quantity of nectar, which is very attractive to birds. 



