16 SYNOPSIS OF THE ORDERS. 



flower usually in threes (never in fives), and the leaves mostly parallel- 

 veined. Our species herbaceous, excepting Smilax. 



# Ovary inferior (superior in Bromeliaceas, nearly so in some Hemodoraceae) ; 

 at least the inner lobes of the perianth petal-like. 



t- I . Seeds without albumen, very numerous and minute. 



108. Hydrocharidaceae (p. 495). Aquatics, with dioecious or polygamous 

 flowers from a spathe; outer perianth calyx-like, the inner sometimes 

 wanting. Stamens 3 -12. Ovary 1-celled with 3 parietal placentte or 

 6 - 9-celled with axile placenta. 



109. Burmanniaceae (p. 496). Terrestrial, with scale-like cauline leaves and 

 regular perfect triandrous flowers. Perianth corolla-like. 



110. Orchidaceee (p. 497). Terrestrial, with very irregular perfect flowers. 

 Stamens and style connate ; anthers 1 or 2. Capsule 1-celled; placentae 

 3, parietal. Perianth corolla-like. 



<- 2. Seeds albuminous. (Ovary 3-celled and flowers regular in our genera.) 



111. Bromeliaceee (p. 511). Mostly epiphytes, with dry persistent scurfy 

 leaves. Flowers 6-androus ; outer perianth calyx-like. 



112. Hemodoraceae (p. 512). Fibrous-rooted, with equitant leaves and per- 

 fect 3- or 6-androus flowers. Perianth persistent, woolly or scurfy outside. 

 (Ovary sometimes nearly free; leaves flat in Aletris.) 



113. Iridaceae (p. 513). Root not bulbous; leaves equitant in two ranks. 

 Flowers from a spathe. Stamens 3, opposite the outer lobes of the co- 

 rolla-like perianth ; anthers extrorse. 



114. Amaryllidacese (p. 515). Often bulbous-rooted and scapose. Peri- 

 anth corolla-like. Stamens 6 ; anthers iutrorse. 



115. Dioscoreaceae (p. 517). Climbing, with net-veined leaves. Flowers 

 dioecious, small, 6-audrous ; perianth calyx-like. Ovules 1 or 2 in each cell. 



* * Ovary superior (very rarely partially adnate to the calyx in Liliacese). 

 M- 1 . At least the inner perianth corolla-like ; ovary compound ; seeds with 



copious albumen. 



116. Liliaceae (p. 517). Flowers perfect, 6-androus, the regular perianth 

 corolla-like (dioecious in Smilax, dimerous in Maianthemum, the outer 

 divisions herbaceous in Trillium). Fruit a 3-celled capsule or berry. 



117. Pontederiaceae (p. 535). Aquatic, with more or less irregular perfect 

 flowers from a spathe ; perianth corolla-like. Stamens 3 or 6, mostly un- 

 equal or dissimilar. Capsule 1-celled or imperfectly 3-celled. 



118. Xyridaceae (p. 536). Rush-like, scapose. Flowers capitate, perfect, 

 3-androus, the calyx glumaceous. Capsule 1-celled. 



119. Mayaceae (p. 537). Moss-like aquatic. Flowers perfect, axillary, soli- 

 tary, 3-androus ; calyx herbaceous. Capsule 1-celled. 



120. Commelinaceae (p. 538). Flowers perfect, regular or somewhat irreg- 

 ular, with 3 more or less herbaceous persistent sepals and 3 fugacious 

 petals. Stamens 6 or some sterile. Capsule 2 - 3-celled. 



127. Eriocauleae (p. 566). Scapose aquatic or marsh plants, with linear 

 leaves and dense heads of monoacious (rarely dioecious) minute flowers. 

 Corolla tubular or none. Capsule 2 - 3-celled, 2 - 3-seeded. 



