266 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY 



& 



wild plants or cultivated in gardens for their showy flowers, 

 e. g. the Bluebell (S cilia nutans) (Figs. 87 and 133), 

 Hyacinths (Hyacinthus spp.), Tulips (Tulipa), Star of 

 Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Lily of the Valley 

 (Convallaria majalis), Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia), 

 Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossify agum), Onion and Garlic 

 (Allium spp.), Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum officinale), 



Fritillary, Funkia, and the 

 Autumn Crocus (Colchicum 

 autumnale). Some are 

 climbers, like the beautiful 

 Gloriosa with leaf-tip ten- 

 drils, and Lapageria with 

 twining stems. Some are 

 very large : e.g. Yuccas, 

 Dracaenas, Aloes, and the 

 New Zealand Flax (Phor- 

 mium tenax). Species of 

 Asparagus, Smiiax, and 

 Butcher's Broom (Ruscus 

 spp.), many of which are 

 climbers, develop peculiar, 

 leaf-like stems (phyllo- 

 clades) (Fig. 96, 2). 

 Order Amaryllidaceae. Plants similar to Liliaceae but 

 with ovary inferior. Mostly herbaceous perennials 

 with bulbs or rhizomes. Inflorescence cymose, and 

 in bud enclosed in a spathe consisting of two fused 

 bracts. Flowers regular, sometimes zygomorphic, 

 hermaphrodite ; perianth of six united petaloid lobes, 

 in two whorls of three each. Stamens six, epipetalous ; 

 anthers introrse. Carpels three, syncarpous ; ovary 

 inferior, three-celled, ovules numerous, placentation 

 axile. Fruit a capsule or berry (Fig. 134). Floral 

 formula P3 + 3, A3 + 3, g m . 



Fig. 177. Floral Diagram of 

 Hyacinth. br, bract. 



