270 lEIDACE^. 



Style awl-shaped, 3-cleft. Pod ovate, enclosed in the persistent perianth ; 

 seeds numerous. 



A perennial herb with a horizontal rhizome and fibrous rootlets. 

 Leaves all radical, in a cluster, thin. Hat, lanceolate. Flowers small, in a 

 wandlike raceme terminating a naked scape, 2 to 3 feet high. It blooms 

 in July and August, 



Habitat. — In sandy and grassy woods ; widely distributed. 



Parts Used. — The rhizome and rootlets — formerly official. 



Constituents. — Star-grass contains a bitter principle, not yet isolated, 

 starch, and other common vegetable constituents. 



PrejMrations. — Commonly used in infusion or decoction. The bitter 

 principle, however, seems to be more soluble in alcohol than in water, and 

 hence a tincture would undoubtedly be more efficient. It has also been 

 employed in powder. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Star-grass probably possesses no me- 

 dicinal properties other than those of simple bitters generally, though 

 others have been ascribed to it ; and as remedies of this class produce 

 different effects, depending largely upon the manner of administration, so 

 this may be employed as a tonic, diaphoretic, emetic, etc. 



IRIDACE/E. 



Character of the Order. — Herbs with corms, rhizomes, or fibrous roots, 

 equitant, 2-ranked leaves, and flowers from a sheath of 2 or more leaves or 

 bracts. Perianth 6-parted, in 2 rows, sometimes irregular, the tube cohe- 

 rent with the 3-celled ovary, and 3 distinct or monadelphous stamens, alter- 

 nate with the inner divisions of the perianth and ojDposite the stigmas. 

 Pod 3-celled, many seeded. 



A large order in tropical regions, but represented in North America 

 by few sj)ecies. They are generally characterized by acrid properties. 



IRIS. 



Iris versicolor Linne. — Blue Flag. 



Description. — Perianth deeply 6-parted, the 3 outer divisions reflexed, 

 the 3 inner smaller, erect ; the tube prolonged beyond the ovary, but 

 shorter than the lobes. Stamens distinct, covered by the petaloid stigmas. 

 Ovary and pod obtusely triangular. 



An herbaceous pere-niial with a tortuous, thickened root-stock. Stem 

 stout, 1 to 3 feet high, angled on one side, branching, leafy. Leaves ensi- 

 form, three-fourths inch wide, 6 to 8 inches long. Flowers large and 

 showy, 2i to 3 inches long, violet-blue variegated with greenish, yellow, 

 and white, with purple veins, appearing in May and June. 



Habitat. — In marshes and wet places ; one of the commonest and most 

 beautiful of wild flowers. 



