18G 



PHILYDRACE/E. 



[Kndogens. 



Order LIV. PHILYDRACE.E.— Waterworts. 



Philydrese, R. Br. (1832?) ; Lindl. Nixta, 22. (1833) ; Endl. gen. lii.; Meisner, p. 406 ; Kunth 



Enum. 3. 379. 



Diagnosis. — Xyridai dipetalous Endocjens without a calyx, with 3 stamens of which 2 are 



abortive, and an embryo in tJie axis of fleshy albumen. 



Root fascicled-fibrous. Stems erect, simple, leafy, often woolly. Leaves ensiform, 



somewhat cellular, equitant 



with their halt-sheathing bases. 



Spikes terminal, simple or 



divided. Flowers alternate 



solitary, sessile, subtended 



by a spathaceous persistent 



bract, yellow, scentless. Calyx 



abortive. Corolla 2 - leaved, 



coloured, withering. Filaments 



3, united at the base, inserted 



into the base of tho lower leaf 



of the perianth ; the lateral 



ones petaloid and sterile ; an- 

 Fig. CXXVI. ther with distinct cells. Ovary 



superior; style simple; stigma 

 capitate ; ovules numerous, on narrow, parie- 

 tal or axilo placentae, horizontal, anatropal. 

 Capsule 3-celled, 3-valved ; the valves having 

 the partition in their middle. Seeds numerous, 

 minute, horizontal ; their skin thick ; with 

 the embryo in the axis of fleshy albumen. 



These are herbaceous plants, having the 

 great spathaceous bracts of a plant of the 

 Musads, combined with the habit of Sedges ; 

 and at the same time having a flower like that 

 of a Spiderwort, minus its calyx and one petal. 

 It is uncertain what the exact analogy of its 

 petaloid divisions may be ; but they appear 

 to belong to the corolla. Brown regard.- the 

 Waterworts as having some relation to Bur- 

 mannia, and even to Orchids, on account we 

 presume of the constant abortion of 2 out of 

 the 3 stamens. Their nearest relationship, Fi S- CXXVII. 



however, is plainly with Xyrids and Spiderworts, from the former ot which they differ 

 in the want of a glumaceous calyx, and from both in the large embryo lying in the axis of 

 the albumen. 



The only plants of this Order yet discovered are found in New Holland, Cochin- 

 china, and China. 



Nothing is known of any use to which they may be applied. 



GENERA. 



Philydrum, Banks. | Garciana, Lour. | Hetscria, Endl. 



Numbers. Gen. 2, Sp. 2. 



Orehidaeea. 

 Position. — Commelynaceaj. — Philyduace.e. — Xyridacese. 



Fig. CXXV [.—A seed of Philydrum lanuginosum, divided perpendicularly so as to show the embryo. 

 Fig. CXXVII. — 1 Hetrcria pygmaea; 2. a flower ; 3. the fertile stamen and two lateral sterile ones ; 

 i. a cross section of the ovary. 



