OXXV. IRlDEiE. 378 



spikes or tliyrsi. Perianth twisted after flowering. Flowers sky-blue or 

 rarely white. 



5. WITSENIA, Tlmnb. 



Perianth tubular, the limb 6-fid, equal, spreading or con- 

 verging. Stamens in the throat of the tube, included ; fila- 

 ments very short. Style filiform, exscrted ; stigma 3-toothed 

 or very shortly S-M.—^iuU. Gen. n. 1233. 



Almost shrubby, simple or much-branched plants, with tuberous roots. 

 Stem w^oody, 2-edged, rough with the bases of old leaves ; branches ending 

 in fan-like tufts of disticlious, sword-s1iaped, nerved leaves. Peduncles 

 simple or branched, often corymbose. Flowers blue. — Few species. 



G. OVIEDA, Spreng. 



Perianth funnel-shaped, with a short or- long slender tube, 

 and 6-parted, erect or spreading limb ; the segments equal. 

 Stamens in the throat, erect or snbsecund ; filaments subulate. 

 Style filiform ; stigmas 3, narrow-linear, conduplicate, 2-parted, 

 with revolute lobes. — Endl. Gen. n. 1236. 



Small, bulbous plants, with compressed or angular, simple or branching 

 stems ; gladiate or channelled leaves, often rigid, with rough edges, the 

 lower ones felcate ; and laxly spiked or corymbose flowers. Spathes herba- 

 ceous, with withered tips. Flow^ers blue or white. — Several species. 



7. ANOMATHECA, Ker. 



Perianth salver-shaped, with a long, slender tube, constricted 

 in the throat ; limb 6-parted ; segments oblong, spreading, tlie 

 2 back ones nearer. Stamens in the throat, snbsecund ; fila- 

 ments short. Style filiform ; stigmas 3, narrow-linear, com- 

 plicate, 2-fid. Capsule subglobose, somewhat rough wirh 

 raised points. — l!lndl. Gen. n. Vl'^1 . 



Bulbous plants, with ensiform leaves, a slender, rigid stem, and branch- 

 ing spikes of subsecund flowers. Flowers crimson, spotted. — 1 or 2 species. 



8. BABIAISTA, Ker. 



Perianth-tube long or very long, gradually expanding into a 

 funnel-shaped, nearly regular or a very irregular, ringent 

 limb. Stamens in the throat, ascending. Style filiform ; 

 stigmas 3, cuneate, folded, entire. Capsule subovate, — Endl. 

 Gen. n. 1238. 



Bulbous plants, with spiked flowers and coarsely plaited, broad, mostly 

 downy leaves. Tlie perianth varies greatly in shape, being (as in B. ringeiis) 

 sometimes extremely unequal, and in others nearly bell-shaped. Bracts 2, 

 witli a witliered apex, tlie iiuier deeply 2-fid. — Several species, with blue 

 purple red or white flowers. 



9. GLADIOLUS, Tourn. 

 Perianth-tube curved, widening ui)\v;u'ds ; liml) more or less 



