522 BURMANNIACEiE H^MODORACE^ AMARYLLIDACE^I. 



volatile oil, and it has been used in the form of tincture and syrup, 

 as an emmenagogue and antispasmodic. The stigmata of Crocus autum- 

 nalis and C. odorus, also supply saffron. The roasted seeds of Iris 

 pseudacorus have been used as a substitute for coffee. 



1067. Order 1 90. Burmanmacei e, the Burmannia Family. (Mono- 

 epigyn.) Perianth coloured, tubular, 6-cleft, the three outer segments 

 (calyx) often keeled at the back, the three inner (petals) minute. 

 Stamens 3, inserted in the tube of the perianth, opposite its inner 

 segments, sometimes with 3 alternating sterile filaments ; anthers 

 dithecal, opening transversely, with a fleshy connective. Ovary in- 

 ferior, either 1- or 3-celled, in the latter case the cells opposite the 

 outer segments of the perianth ; ovules 00 ; style simple ; stigmas 3. 

 Fruit a 1 -3-celled, 3-valved capsule, crowned by the persistent peri- 

 anth. Seeds 00, minute, striated. Herbs, with radical leaves and 

 bisexual flowers. Natives of moist grassy places in tropical regions. 

 They have no properties of importance. There are about 10 known 

 genera, and 35 species. Examples Burmannia, Apteria, Apostasia V 



1068. Order 191. Htemodoraccte, the Blood-root Family. (Mono- 

 epigyn.) Perianth petaloid, more or less woolly, 6-cleft. Stamens 

 inserted on the perianth, either 3, and opposite the inner segments of 

 the perianth, or 6 ; anthers introrse. Ovary adherent to the tube of the 

 perianth, usually 3-celled, rarely 1 -celled; ovules 1-2 or numerous; 

 style simple ; stigma undivided. Fruit a 3-valved capsule, sometimes 

 indehiscent. Seeds either definite or 00, sometimes peltate; embryo in 

 cartilaginous albumen. Herbs with fibrous roots, equitant distichous 

 leaves, and bisexual flowers. They are found in various parts of the 

 world, more especially in the warm parts of South America, at the 

 Cape of Good Hope, as well as in North America and Australia. 

 Lindley mentions 13 genera, and 50 species. Examples Haemodorum, 

 Anigosanthus, Vellozia, Barbacenia. 



1069. The plants receive the name of Blood-root, from the red 

 colour of their roots, which are used for dyeing. Vellozias, Tree 

 Lilies, give a decided feature to the vegetation of the mountains of 

 Minas Geraes in Brazil. Their trunks are covered by the withered 

 remains of the leaves, and their branches are dichotomous, and bear 

 tufts of leaves at the extremities. The outer surface of their stems 

 is covered thickly with numerous adpressed rootlets. 



1070. Order 192. Amaryliidacete, the Amaryllis Family. (Mono- 

 epigyn.) (Fig. 251). Perianth petaloid, regular, 6-cleft, the outer 

 segments overlapping the inner. Stamens 6, inserted in the perianth, 

 sometimes cohering by the dilated bases, and forming a kind of cup ; 

 occasionally there are additional sterile stamens, which sometimes 

 form a corona above the tube of the perianth; anthers introrse. Ovary 

 inferior, 3-celled ; ovules 00, anatropal ; style 1 ; stigma 3-lobed. 

 Fruit either a 3-celled, 3-valved capsule, with loculicidal dehiscence, 



