MONOCOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS 37 



I. AGA'VE, Century Plant, American Aloe 



Plants with large, thick, spiny-pointed and spiny-toothed 

 leaves. The flowers are numerous on short bracted pedicels, 

 in spikes or panicles, at the summit of a tall woody scape 

 clothed with bracts. The perianth is thick and fleshy, tubular 

 or bell-shaped, with the 6 divisions nearly equal. Filaments 

 bent in the bud, but becoming straight and extending beyond 

 the perianth. Capsule leathery, with numerous flattened black 

 seeds. Different species of Century Plants are common in 

 cultivation, and several species are native in desert regions. 

 It blooms in California when 10 to 20 years old. "Pulque," 

 a Mexican drink, is made from the sap of some species. 



NARCIS'SUS, Narcissus, Jonquil 



a cup-shaped crown at the throat of the perianth. 

 Tube afatr' perianth somewhat cylindrical, the 6 divisions 

 of the border widely spreading. Stamens 6, inserted in the 

 tube. Scapes with 1 ^o several flowers from a thin, dry 

 spathe. 



N. Tazet'ta. CHINESE SACRED LILY. Flowers white, with yellow 

 cup ; fragrant. Leaves and scapes from a large bulb, like an onion. 

 This is cultivated especially by the Chinese and usually grows in 

 water. It is in bloom during the winter, about the time of the 

 Chinese New Year, and can readily be obtained for class study. 



IRIDA'CEJE. IRIS FAMILY 



Herbs with equitant 2-ranked leaves. Flowers showy, 

 perfect. Tube of the perianth attached to the ovary, which 

 is enclosed by spathe-like bracts. Stamens 3, with anthers 

 turned outwards. Style 1, stigmas 3, often petal-like. Capsule 

 3-celled and many-seeded. 



I. I'RIS, Blue Flag, Fleur de Lis, Flower de Luce 



Sepals 8, turned backwards, larger than the 3 erect petals. 

 Stamens 3, distinct, borne on the sepals.* Anthers long, and 



