38 FOUNDATIONS OF BOTANY 



1. Y. filamentosa, L. SPANISH DAGGER. Stem stout, 4-12 in. 

 high. Leaves linear or linear-lanceolate, slender-pointed, narrowed 

 above the spreading and clasping base, spreading or recurved, smooth, 

 with loose, thread-like filaments on the margins. Panicle elongated, 

 with bract-like leaves on the scape, widely branched, downy-hairy 

 above, 3-6 ft. high. Perianth white, bell-shaped, 2 in. wide. Cap- 

 sule oblong, angles rounded, sides furrowed, at length 3-valved and 

 dehiscent. In sandy soil, and often cultivated for ornament.* 



XVII. ASPARAGUS, Tourn. 



Stem from fleshy fibrous roots, erect, branched, branches 

 slender, with thread-like branchlets in the axils of scales which 

 take the place of leaves. Flowers small, solitary, or racemed. 

 Perianth 6-parted, segments distinct or slightly united. Sta- 

 mens 6, perigynous, filaments thread-like. Ovary 3-celled, 

 6-ovuled, style short, slender, stigmas 3, recurved. Fruit a 

 berry.* 



1. A. officinalis, L. ASPARAGUS. Stem succulent and simple, with 

 fleshy scales when young, becoming taller, more woody and widely 

 branched when old. Flowers axillary, solitary, or 2 or 3 together on 

 slender, jointed, drooping pedicels, greenish, segments linear. Berry 

 red, few-seeded. Introduced from Europe, common in cultivation, 

 and often escaped.* 



XVm. SMILACINA, Desf. 



Perennial, simple-stemmed herbs, with rootstocks. Leaves 

 usually sessile, nerved, alternate. Flowers white, in a ter- 

 minal raceme. Perianth spreading, 6-parted. Stamens 6, 

 springing from the base of the perianth. Filaments slender. 

 Anthers short, facing inward. Ovary 3-celled, 6-ovuled. Style 

 short and stout, with a somewhat 3-lobed stigma. Fruit a 

 1-2-seeded berry. 



1. S. racemosa, Desf. FALSE SPIKENARD. A showy plant with 

 curved stem 1-3 ft. high, downy throughout. Leaves abundant, 

 oval or ovate-lanceolate, taper-pointed. Flowers small, in a com- 

 pound raceme. Berries pale red, speckled with dark red or purple. 

 Moist thickets. 



2. S. stellata, Desf. Plant 1 ft. or less in height, nearly smooth. 

 Leaves broadly lanceolate, acute, clasping. Flowers few, larger than 

 in No. 1, in a simple raceme. Berries very dark red. Along river 

 banks. 



