IRIDE^. 275 



I. variegata ( Variegated I.) — A rhizomatous species, growing 

 about 2 feet high. The stems each bear several large flowers. 

 The outer petals are notched or very blunt-pointed, the inner 

 ones are rather sharp-pointed ; all are yellow, netted with deep- 

 brown lines. Native of southern Germany. Flowers in May 

 and June. 



I. xiphioides (^English bulbous I.) — A very showy bulbous 

 species, of which there are a good many varieties in gardens. 

 It is the best known of the bulbous species. The stems rise i 

 foot or 2 feet high, each bearing two or three large flowers. 

 The petals are unequal, the outer being largest. The ordinary 

 colour in nature is blue, and in different shades ; it is also 

 the most prevalent amongst the garden varieties ; but there 

 are white, yellow, and variegated sorts also, and all are 

 extremely showy and beautiful. Flowers in June. Native of 

 the Pyrenees. 



I. xiphium {Spattish bulbous I.) — This is an equally hand- 

 some species, though not so showy as the last, and there are 

 fewer varieties of it. It grows about 9 inches or i foot high, 

 with nan-ow deeply-channeled leaves. Each stem bears two 

 or three flowers with narrow nearly equal petals. The most 

 common colour in nature appears to be blue, variegated with 

 yellow j the offspring in gardens present various colours. 

 Flowers in June. Native of Spain. This species and its 

 varieties are fond of peat, but succeed well in rich, light, sandy 

 loam. 



Sis3n:inchium. — This is a small genus of hardy and half- 

 hardy herbaceous plants from both North and South America. 

 They are very pretty border ornaments, with grass-like leaves 

 and flowers of various colours, some being very showy and 

 others pretty and fragrant. They grow best in rich, light, deep 

 loam, well drained, in a warm sunny aspect. They are easily 

 increased by division of the roots in early autumn. 



S. anceps, syn. Marica anceps {Two-edged S.) — A dwarf- 

 tufted species, with narrow linear grass-like leaves. The flower- 

 stems are much compressed, and are sharply two-edged. The 

 flowers are produced a few together at the top of the stem, and 

 are beautiful bright blue, appearing in June and July. Height 

 6 to 9 inches. 



S. convolutum, s}ti. Marica convoluta ( YelloT.v-spri?ig S.) — 

 This pretty and attractive species is perhaps scarcely hardy in 

 all parts of the country, but succeeds well in warm localities in 

 the southern parts. The plant grovrs about 6 inches high, with 

 foliage of the same character as the last, in rather dense tufts. 

 The stems are compressed and two-edged, and support two or 



