HANDBOOK OF IRIDE^E. • 



1. Iris Linn. 



Perianth-tnhe cylindrical, long, short or obsolete ; segments of 

 the two rows more or less dissimilar in shape and size, the three 

 outer (falls) obovate-cuneate, reflexiug in the expanded flower; 

 the three inner (standards) distinctly unguiculate, usually erect. 

 Stanmts inserted at the base of the outer segments of the perianth 

 opposite the petaloid styles ; filaments short ; anthers linear, basi- 

 fixed. Ovary 3-celled ; ovules many in a cell ; style-branches 

 petaloid, with a terminal stigma and two deltoid petaloid crests. 

 Capsule oblong trigonal or hexagonal. Seeds globose. — Bootstock 

 creeping or bulbous. Leaves distichous, linear or ensiform. Flowers 

 very various in colour, one or few in a head ; outer spathe-valves 

 large, ovate, herbaceous or membranous. 



Series I. — Eootstock a short thick rhizome. 



Subgenus I. Apogon. Outer segments of the perianth without any 



beard or crest. 



Leaves linear Sp. 1-28. 



Leaves ensiform ...... Sp. 29-46. 



Subgenus II. Pardanthopsis. Habit of Evansia, but outer segments 

 without a distinct crest .... Sp. 47-50. 



Subgenus III. Oncocyclus. Outer segments diffusely hairy down 

 the claw and lower part of the blade . . Sp. 51-62. 



Subgenus IV. Eegelia. Connects Oncocyclus and Poqoyiiris. 



Sp. 63-66. 



Subgenus V. Evansia. Outer segments with a distinct crest down 

 the claw and lower part of the blade. 



Leaves linear Sp. 67-69. 



Leaves ensiform ...... Sp. 70-74. 



* Condensed, with many alterations and additions, from my paper on the 

 genus in the ' Gardeners' Chronicle ' for 1876. For a general sketch of the 

 genus from a horticultural point of view, see Foster in Journ. Hort. Soc, 

 vol. xi. p. 131, 



S 



