128 History of H Ingham. 



77. iridace-E. (Iris Family.) 



Herbaceous plants, with tuberous roots, natives of the Cape 

 of Good Hope, Central Europe, and North America. They are 

 celebrated more for their beauty than for use, although some 

 are medicinal and the root-stocks of a few are edible. Saffron 

 is the product of one species. 



The Flower-de-Luce, Crocus, and Gladiolus are of this family. 



Iris, Tourn. 



versicolor, L. Blue Flag. 

 prismatica, Pursh. Slender Flag. 



Sisyrinchium, L. 



anceps, Cav. Blue-eyed Grass, 

 angustifoliuin, Mill. 



78 AMARYLLIDACE5!. (AMARYLLIS FAMILY.) 



Generally bulbous herbs, mostly tropical, furnishing our gar- 

 dens with some of their most splendid flowers. A few species have 

 poisonous properties. The celebrated Mexican drink, pulque, is 

 made from the Agave. 



Hypoxis, L. 



erecta, L. Star-grass. 



79. LILIACEiE. (LlLY FAMILY.) 



A large family of principally herbaceous plants, with generally 

 bulbiferous roots, found mostly in the warmer portions of the 

 temperate zones. A few tropical species are trees or shrubs. The 

 order embraces many of our most beautiful wild and cultivated 

 plants. Some species are useful in medicine, furnishing squills, 

 aloes, etc. A few such as Onion, Garlic, Asparagus, are edible 

 Some are used in the arts. 



Smilax, Tourn. 



rotundifolia, L. Greenbrier. 



glauca, Walt. Rare. 



herbacea, L. Carrion-flower. 

 Asparagus, Tourn. 



officinalis, L. 



Polygonatum, Tourn. 



biflorum, Ell. Solomon's Seal. 

 Smilacina, Desf. 



racemosa, Desf. 



stellata, Desf. 

 Maianthemum, Wigg. 



Canadense, Desf. Low Solomon's Seal. 

 Hemerocallis, L. 



fulva, L. Day Lily. 



