390 VARIOUS PLANT GROUPS 



but one other family besides the al)ovc. Both are made up 

 of herbs unth leaves of run'ed form, wmetimes rudimentary or 

 absent; regular flowers in an unbranched spadix, with one or 

 more spathes; and the superior ovary having one or more cells 

 and one or more ovules. 



See formula of Arales on pages 422, 423. 



149. The rush family (Juncaceae) is typified by the com- 

 mon rush. (Fig. 221, page 234.) 



See formulas of Juncus and Juncacea; on pages 422, 423. 



At first sight the rushes appear somewhat similar to grasses, 

 and indeed certain botanists have regarded them as belonging 

 to the same order. The resemblance comes chiefly from the 

 grass-like leaves of many species and the glumaceous charac- 

 ter of the perianth. 1 The family may be defined as herbs with 

 regular flowers having a glumaceous perianth, either six or three 

 stamens, and a superior, compound ovary. 



150. The lily family (Liliaceae). Examples: onion (Figs. 60, 

 61, pages 63, 64), asparagus (Fig. 62, pages 64, 65), Indian 

 poke (Fig. 186, page 199), and lily-of-the-valley (Fig. 193, 

 page 204). 



Formulas of Allium, Asparagus, Convallaria, Veratrum, and 

 Liliacca' are given on pages 424, 425. 



One of the largest and most important, the lily family is 

 generally easy of recognition as being composed mostly of 

 herbs with regular flowers having a petaloid perianth, six stamens 

 and a superior, compound ovary. 



151. The iris family (Iridaceae) is represented by saffron 

 (Fig. 168 II, page 176). 



See formulas of Crocus and Iridaceae on pages 424, 425. 



The Iridaceae are herbs having flowers like those of the lily 

 family but-uuth only three stamens, and an inferior ovary. 



152. The lily order (Liliales or Liliiflorae) comprises 

 several families which are like the lily family in being mostly 

 herbs with leaves of varied form; inflorescence never spadiceous 



' Indicated in the formulas by the inverted exclamation mark. 



