270 IKIDACE^E. 



Style awl-shaped, 3-cleft. Pod ovate, enclosed in the persistent perianth ; 

 seeds numerous. 



A perennial herb with a horizontal rhizome and fibrous rootlets. 

 Leaves all radical, in a cluster, thin, flat, lanceolate. Flowers small, in a 

 wandlike raceme terminating a naked scape, 2 to 3 feet high. It blooms 

 in July and August. 



Habitat. In sandy and grassy woods ; widely distributed. 



Parts Used. The rhizome and rootlets formerly official. 



Constituents. Star- grass contains a bitter principle, not yet isolated, 

 starch, and other common vegetable constituents. 



Preparations. Commonly used in infusion or decoction. The bitter 

 principle, however, seems to be more soluble in alcohol than in water, and 

 hence a tincture would undoubtedly be more efficient. It has also been 

 employed in powder. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Star-grass probably possesses no me- 

 dicinal properties other than those of simple bitters generally, though 

 others have been ascribed to it ; and as remedies of this class produce 

 different effects, depending largely upon the manner of administration, so 

 this may be employed as a tonic, diaphoretic, emetic, etc. 



IRIDACE/E. 



Character of the Order. Herbs with corms, rhizomes, or fibrous roots, 

 equitant, 2-ranked leaves, and flowers from a sheath of 2 or more leaves or 

 bracts. Perianth 6-parted, in 2 rows, sometimes irregular, the tube cohe- 

 rent with the 3-celled ovary, and 3 distinct or monadelphous stamens, alter- 

 nate with the inner divisions of the perianth and opposite the stigmas. 

 Pod 3-celled, many seeded. 



A large order in tropical regions, but represented in North America 

 by few species. They are generally characterized by acrid properties. 



IRIS, 



Iris versicolor Linne. Blue Flag. 



Description. Perianth deeply 6-parted, the 3 outer divisions reflexed, 

 the 3 inner smaller, erect ; the tube prolonged beyond the ovary, but 

 shorter than the lobes. Stamens distinct, covered by the petaloid stigmas. 

 Ovary and pod obtusely triangular. 



An herbaceous perennial with a tortuous, thickened root-stock. Stem 

 stout, 1 to 3 feet high, angled on one side, branching, leafy. Leaves ensi- 

 form, three-fourths inch wide, 6 to 8 inches long. Flowers large and 

 showy, 2 to 3 inches long, violet-blue variegated with greenish, yellow, 

 and white, with purple veins, appearing in May and June. 



Habitat. In marshes and wet places ; one of the commonest and most 

 beautiful of wild flowers. 



