PETALOIDE^;. 381 



469 & 470) ; seeds with horny or hard fleshy perisperm (fig. 471). 

 Illustrative Genera : Iris, L. ; Tiyridia, Juss. ; Gladiolus, 

 Tournef . ; Isria, L. ; Crocus, Tournef . 



Affinities, &c. The tribes of this Order (!XIEJE, IRIDE^E, and GLADIO- 

 LE^E) are distinguished hy the regular or irregular perianth, the free or in- 

 separate stamens, the filaments equal or unequal in length, the form of the 

 stigma, &c. The floral formula is | P 8+3 A 8 G '6. Among the epigy- 

 nous petaloid Monocotyledons, the Iridaceae approach, by genera like 

 Crocus, the Amaryllidacete, which, however, have 6 introrse stamens. 

 The same character separates the epigynous Bromeliaceae, which have 

 some affinity with this family ; one plant of this Order, Eleutherine 

 anomala, has, however, been described as having six stamens, probably as 

 an accidental occurrence. OrchidaceEe differ in the gynandrous structure; 

 Marantacese and Zingiberaceas in their monandrous state, as also in the 

 character of their foliage. The little Order Burmanniaceae resembles 

 Iridacese in many particulars, but differs in some essential points men- 

 tioned under that order; and this is the case also with Xyridacere. 

 Gladiolus has slightly irregular flowers ; Crocus has quite a regular 

 perianth ; Ins has also regular flowers, the seeming irregularity being 

 dependent on the reflexed petals and the large petaloid styles which 

 conceal the stamens. 



Distribution. A large Order, diffused throughout temperate and warm 

 climates, but especially abundant at the Cape of Good Hope. 



Qualities and Uses. The sap of many of these plants is more or less 

 acrid, purgative, or emetic, as that of the Flags (Iris) generally, Ferraria, 

 Sisyrinchium, &c. Saffron consists of the stigmas of the Saffron Crocus 

 (C. sativus) and of C. odorus (Sicily). Orris-root, used in perfumery, is the 

 rhizome of Iris florentina. The genera of this Order contribute a large 

 share to our collections of garden-bulbs, as will be recognized from the 

 plants already named ; they are more remarkable for their beautiful but 

 transient flowers than for any useful quality ; the corms and rhizomes of 

 some are said to be eaten, on accoimt of the starch they contain, by the 

 Hottentots and other races. 



BBOMELIACEJE. THE PINEAPPLE ORDEE. 

 Coh. Amomales, Hook. 



Diagnosis. Herbs (or scarcely woody plants), nearly all tropical, the 

 greater part epiphytes, with persistent dry or fleshy and channelled 

 crowded leaves, sheathing at the bases, usually covered or banded with 

 scurfy scales ; perianth free or adherent, in two circles, the outer (sepals) 

 often coherent, and differently coloured from the inner (petals), which 

 are distinct and imbricated; stamens G; ovary 3-celled, with numerous 

 ovules on axile placentas ; style single ; stigma 3-lobed or entire, often 

 twisted ; seeds numerous, with a minute embryo in the base of mealy 

 perisperm ; the radicle next the hilum. Illustrative Genera : Ananassa, 

 Lindl. ; Bromelia, L. ; Mclimm, R. & P. ; Billbergia, Thunb. ; Pitcairnia, 

 Herit. ; Tillandsia, L. 



