376 COMMELYNACE^E. 



ORDER CXXXVIII. H^EMODORACE^E. BLOOD ROOTS. 



Perianth petaloid, 6-cleft, usually more or less woolly. Sta- 

 mens inserted on the perianth, either 3 and opposite the inner 

 segments, or 6 ; anthers bursting inwardly. Stigma undivided. 

 Fruit capsular, somewhat nucamentaceous. Herbaceous plants, 

 with fibrous perennial roots and permanent ensiform equitant 

 leaves. 



1. LACHNANTHES. Ell. Lachnanthes. 



Perianth superior, 6-cleft ; segments unequal. Stamens 3. 

 Style declining. Stigma minutely 3-lobed. Capsule 3-celled, 

 truncate, many-seeded. 



L. tinctoria Ell. Dilatris tinctoria Pursh. 



Sandy swamps. N. J. to Flor. July. '2J.. Stem erect, 2 feet high, hairy at 

 the top. Leaves ensiform, shorter than the stem. Flowers in a corymbose pan- 

 icle, woolly, yellow within. The root yields a red color, which is used for dye- 

 ing. Red Root. 



2. 1 ALETRIS. Linn Star Grass. 



(From the Greek oXcap, meal ; in allusion to the mealy appearance of the 

 flowers.) 



Perianth tubular or tubular-campanulate, rugose, 6-cleft. 

 Stamens 6, inserted at the orifice of the tube. Style triquetrous, 

 finally 3 -parted. Capsule 3-celled, many-seeded, opening at 

 the summit. 



1. A. farinosa Linn. : leaves radical, lanceolate, acuminate, smooth ; 

 flowers pedicellate, oblong-tubular; perianth rugose-muricate. A. alba 

 Mich. 



Sandy woods. Can. to Car. July. 1\.. Scape 2 feet high, with several 

 bract-like leaves. Flowers white, in a terminal raceme which is sometimes a 

 foot in length. Perianth appearing as if covered with a rough powder. The 

 root is intensely bitter. Star-grass. Colic Root. 



2. A. aurea Walt. : leaves radical, lanceolate, acuminate ; flowers sub- 

 sessile, short ; perianth rugose and very rough. 



Pine Barrens. N. J. to Car. July, Aug. QJ.. Scape 23 feet high. Flowers 

 yellow, in a terminal raceme, less numerous than in the preceding. 



Yellow Star-grass 



ORDER CXXXIX. COMMELYNACE^E. SPIDERWORTS. 



Perianth in 2 rows ; outer row herbaceous, 3 -leaved; inner 

 petaloid, 3 -leaved or 3 -cleft. Stamens 6 or fewer, some of 

 them deformed or abortive. Ovary 3-celled; stigma 1. Car 



