390 VARIOUS PLANT GROUPS 
but one other family besides the above. Both are made up 
of herbs with leaves of varied form, sometimes rudimentary or 
absent; regular flowers in an unbranched spadix, with one or 
more spathes; and the superior ovary having one or more cells 
and one or more ovules. 
See formula of Arales on pages 422, 423. 
149. The rush family (Juncacez) is typified by the com- 
monrush. (Fig. 221, page 234.) 
See formulas of Juncus and Juncacez on pages 422, 423. 
At first sight the rushes appear somewhat similar to grasses, : 
and indeed certain botanists have regarded them as belonging 
to the same order. The resemblance comes chiefly from the 
grass-like leaves of many species and the glumaceous charac- 
ter of the perianth.1 The family may be defined as herbs with 
regular flowers having a glumaceous perianth, either six or three 
stamens, and a superior, compound ovary. 
150. The lily family (Liliaceze). Examples: onion (Figs. 60, 
61, pages 63, 64), asparagus (Fig. 62, pages 64, 65), Indian 
poke (Fig. 186, page 199), and lily-of-the-valley (Fig. 193, 
page 204). 
Formulas of Allium, Asparagus, Convallaria, Veratrum, and 
Liliacee are given on pages 424, 426. 
One of the largest and most important, the lily family is 
generally easy of recognition as being composed mostly of 
herbs with regular flowers having a petaloid perianth, six stamens 
and a superior, compound ovary. 
151. The iris family (Iridacez) is represented by saffron 
(Fig. 168 II, page 176). 
See formulas of Crocus and Iridacee on pages 424, 425. 
The Iridacez are herbs having flowers like those of the lily 
family but with only three stamens, and an inferior ovary. 
152. The lily order (Liliales or Liliiflore) comprises 
several families which are like the lily family in being mostly 
herbs with leaves of varied form; inflorescence never spadiceous 
1 Indicated in the formulas by the inverted exclamation mark. 
we 
