LILIACE^. 285 



or spikes. They luxuriate best in deep, rich, rather moist 

 loam, and are available either for the mixed border or for intro- 

 ducing amongst shrubs ; and the stronger-gi-owing species are 

 also very fit subjects for naturalising in open moist woods, and 

 by the banks of streams and pieces of water. All are easily 

 increased by division in autumn or in early spring. 



A. creticus, syn. A. capillaris {Dwarf Yclloiu Asphodel). — 

 This species grows about 18 inches or 2 feet high. The stems 

 are clothed with narrow, linear, dark-green leaves, diminishing 

 in length as they ascend, and disappearing altogether some way 

 below the raceme. The raceme is rather open, and the flowers 

 are yellow, appearing in June and July. Native of Candia. 



A. fistulosus {Hollow -leaved Asphodel). — A very distinct 

 species, but not one of the most ornamental. The leaves are 

 all confined to the roots, and are produced there in dense 

 masses, and are roundish, hollow, and about 2 feet long. The 

 flower-stems are erect, about 23^ or 3 feet high. The racemes 

 are rather loose, and the flowers are white, appearing in June 

 and lasting a month or two. Native of France and Italy. One 

 of the best for naturalising, and least worthy of an important 

 position. 



A. luteus {Tall Yellow Asphodel). — This is one of the hand- 

 somest of the species. It grows about 3 feet high, the stems 

 being clothed to the base of the raceme with the triangular 

 narrow-tapering leaves, which are dark green, and marked ^^'ith 

 narrow longitudinal lines of a paler colour. The racemes are 

 dense and erect, and the flowers bright yellow, appearing in 

 May, June, and July. Native of many countries of southern 

 Europe. 



A. ramosus {Branching White Asphodel). — This is a bold 

 striking species, growing in rich moist soil often to the height 

 of 5 feet. The leaves are all radical, and are sharply keeled 

 on the under side and channeled above, and 2 or more feet 

 long. The stem.s are smooth, round, and branch out freely 

 into bold open racemes. The flowers are white, and appear in 

 May and June. Native of France, Italy, Corsica, and Sardinia. 



Bulbocodium vernum {Spring B.) — A very pretty little plant 

 at first sight, resembling a Crocus, but easily distinguished from 

 that genus always by the six stamens and the inferior perianth; 

 and further distinguished by the structure of the bulb and its 

 covering, which is of a downy nature, not fibrous, as in the case 

 of the Crocus. The plant grows well in any good, light, well- 

 drained loam, and is increased by division of the roots, which 

 should take place immediately the leaves are ripe. The flowers 

 appear in February and March, a short time before the leaves, 



