THE YUCCEAE. 71 



pend. The seeds are black, thin, margined, and rather 

 small. 



Of somewhat the aspect of Y. radiosa, but with more 

 rigid and denticulate not filiferous leaves, this species rivals 

 in gracefulness of habit the Nolinas of Mexico and the 

 grass-trees (Xanthorrhoea) of the South Sea, both of which 

 it far surpasses in beauty of inflorescence, and it should 

 prove a desirable addition to regions like California, Madeira 

 and the Mediterranean countries, where it will prove hardy, 

 and to some of the gardens of which I have been able to 

 send viable seed. 



AA. Fruit indehiscent (so far as known). 



B. Fruit soon drying, erect, spreading or pendent. Seeds thin, flat, 

 slightly margined: albumen not ruminated (but surface of seed often 

 somewhat grooved). Heteroyucca. 



1. Leaves finely denticulate, softly green-pointed. Large tree. 



Y. GIGANTEA Lemaire, 111. Hort. 6. Misc. 91. (Nov. 1859). 

 13:92. Rev. Hort. I860 : 222. Engelmann, Trans. 

 Acad. St. Louis. 3 : 212. Baker, Gard. Chron. 187O: 

 1184. Journ. Linn. Soc. Bot. 18 : 224. Hemsley, 

 Garden. 8: 134. Trelease, Kept. Mo. Bot. Gard. 

 9:141. pi. 40-42. 



At length a rough-barked branching tree 10 m. or more high. Leaves 

 rigidly spreading or somewhat flexuous, green, glossy, plicate, with soft 

 green tip, over 1 m. long and often 100 mm. wide, scabrid margined. In- 

 florescence compact, close to the leaves. Flowers resembling those of 

 Y. gloriosa. Fruit apparently soon drying. 



This species, if more than a form of Y. elephantipes, was 

 first described from young specimens cultivated in European 

 gardens, and again, in mature form, from a large tree cul- 

 tivated in the Azores. It does not appear to be known in 

 a state of nature. In habit and foliage, except for larger 

 dimensions, it resembles Y. elephantipes, but if the notes 

 on the spontaneous Azorean fruit are accurate, possesses 

 fruit comparable with that of Y. gloriosa, and it may be a 

 hybrid, Y. elephantipes being doubtless one parent, in this 

 x;ase ; but it is very doubtful as anything but a form of Y. 

 elephantipes. 



