401 CXXXIV. MELANTIIACEJE. 



Perianth tubular-campaniilate, with a 6-partecl, 



spivachng limb 3. WuRMBEA. 



Periaiitli of 6, clawed, deciduous sepals. 



Claws long ; limb convolute-cucullate, bearing a 



stamen 1. Androcymbium. 



Claws moderate ; limb flat or expanded. 



Sepals 2-saccatcabovctheclaw; styles 3, fihform 2. Melanthium. 

 Sepals with a dark spot above claw; stigmas 



subsessile ; ovary long 4. B^OMITEA. 



Perianth of 6, sessile, persistent sepals, reflexed 



after flowering 5. Ornithoolossum. 



1. ANDROCYMBIUM, Willd. 



Perianth 6-parted, clceiduous ; segments with Ions; tdaws, 

 eouvolute-eiicullate above the claw, the hood nectariferous. 

 Stamens inserted in the hood-like limb of tlie sepals, extrorse. 

 Styles 8, short, distinct. Capsule 8-parted ; lobes opening 

 on the inner face, above. — Kimtli, I.e. p. 153. 



Bulbiferous, nearly stemlcss plants, with 2-4 broad, radical, many-nerved 

 leaves. Flowers subsessilc on a very short scape, crowded, hidden among 

 large, leafy or coloured bracts. — Several species, some undescribed. 



2. MELANTHIUM, Linn. 



Perianth 6-parted, deciduous ; segments clawed, 2-saccate 

 above tlie claw, stellately spreading. Stamens 6, inserted at 

 the base of the sepals ; anthers extrorse. Styles 3, liliform, 

 distinct. Capsule 3-parted. — Kuntli, I.e. p. 154. 



Bulbous plants, with simple, few-leaved stems, ending in a few- or many- 

 flowered spike of white or rosy flowers. Leaves sheathing at base, radical 

 or cauline, the upper ones short, reduced to sheaths. — 6 or 8 species. 



3. WURMBEA, Thunb. 



Perianth tubular-subcampanulate, persistent, with a 6-cleft, 

 spreading limb; tube with 6 gibbosities, externally at base; 

 throat plaited. Stamens in the throat of the perianth, ex- 

 serted. Styles 3, filiform. Capsule 3-parted. — Ktinth^l.e.p. 



Small, bidbous plants, with the habit of Melanthium, and deep purple 

 flowers. — 3 species. 



4. BiEOMITRA, Salisb. 



Perianth 6-parted, deciduous ; segments narrowed into claws 

 below, lanceolate, above the claw marked with a blackish spot, 

 not glandular, spreading. Stamens inserted near the summit 

 of the claw. Ovary prismatic, linear, 3-celled; styles? (or sub- 

 sessile- stigmas) very short, revolute. Capsule elongate. — 

 Kunth, I.e. 2). 162. 



B. columellaris, Sal. [Kulhea Brei/niana, Schl.), is a small, bulbous ])lant, 



