274 SUB-ALPINE PLANTS 



Distribution. Eastern, Central, and Western Alps, Jura, 

 Cevennes, Pyrenees, Carpathians, Balkans ; often naturalised 

 in the plains and in England. 



IRIS L. 



Seven species of Iris (virescens, germanica, sambucina, squalens, 

 graminea, Pseudacorus, and sibirica) may be found either native or 

 sub-spontaneous in Switzerland, but none of them reach the sub- 

 alpine region. 



AMARYLLIDACE^: 



Root bulbous (in all European genera). Leaves radical. - Perianth 

 petal-like, with 6 segments. Stamens 6, the anthers turned inwards. 

 Ovary 3-celled, inferior or adherent to the perianth-tube. Fruit a 

 capsule with several seeds, and 3-valved. 



A large family, widely distributed over the globe, but chiefly in 

 dry, sunny countries. 



NARCISSUS L. 



Flowers solitary, or several together, terminal. Perianth with a 

 distinct tube above the ovary, and 6 usually spreading segments, 

 with a cup-shaped or tubular white or coloured crown at their base, 

 round the orifice of the tube. 



A well-defined genus of few real species, chiefly South European 

 or Caucasian. 



Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus L. Daffodil. 



Bulb rather large. Leaves usually 2 or 3, about a foot long 

 when fully grown and J inch wide, bluish green. Stem rather 

 taller with a single, large, yellow flower. Perianth- tube about an 

 inch long, wider at the top, the segments ovate or oblong, paler 

 yellow. Crown slightly 6-lobed or wavy at the margin. 



Meadows, orchards, and pastures, especially in the mountains 

 and sub-Alps, and extending to 6000 feet, as at Saas Fee. March to 

 June, according to situation. 



Distribution. Most of temperate and Southern Europe. 

 British. 



Narcissus poeticus L. Poet's Narcissus. 



Flowers large, usually solitary, white, with yellow crown and 

 red crenulated border, very fragrant. 



Meadows and orchards, often abundant though local, and occa- 

 sionally, as at Mt. Cenis and Saas Fee, reaching 6000 feet. It 

 usually flowers in April and May, but later in the higher altitudes. 



According to Keller and Schinz, it is only sub-spontaneous in 

 Switzerland ! In the Eastern Pyrenees it reaches 5000 feet. 



Distribution. Central and Southern Europe. 



A beautiful reproduction of a photograph showing how this 

 Narcissus grows in fields at Chateau d'Oex appears in the Journ. of the 



