492 



A maryllidece Pancratium. 



the latter is perhaps better known as Hymenocdllis rotata, 

 differing from Pancratium in the scarcely dilated perianth- 

 tube, flattened scape, and other particulars. 



9. ALSTRCEM^RIA. 



This genus belongs to a distinct section of the AmaryUidea, 

 the members of which, instead of having bulbs, have fleshy 

 fibrous roots, something in the way of Asparagus. The genus 

 under consideration, as well as some allied genera, belong more 

 properly to the greenhouse ; but there are nevertheless a few 

 species almost, if not quite, hardy. They are tall handsome 

 plants with true leafy stems and terminal umbels of gaily 

 coloured flowers. Leaves usually linear or lanceolate and re- 

 supinate, or inverted in position by the twisting of the petiole. 

 Perianth regular, 6-parted, carnpanulate, interior segments 

 narrower, two of which are somewhat tubulose at the base. 

 Stamens included within the perianth, and inserted with it. 

 Stigma trifid; seeds numerous. All the species are from 



South America. Named in 

 honour of Alstromer, a Swedish 

 botanist. 



One of the handsomest and 

 hardiest species is A. aurea, also 

 called A. aurantiaca. An erect 

 plant about 3 feet high with lan- 

 ceolate reversed obtuse leaves. 

 Flowers numerous, in a terminal 

 umbel, the outer perianth-seg- 

 ments orange - coloured, the 

 inner narrower and also orange- 

 coloured, but the two upper ones 

 striped with red. A. psittaclna 

 received its name in consequence 

 of the upper petals being slightly 

 hooded. The perianth-segments 

 are of a bright crimson at the 

 base, greenish upwards, spotted 

 with purple. A. pelegrlna (fig. 

 242), from the Andes of Peru, 

 has white or pale yellow flowers 

 striped with rose, and yellow spot on each segment. 



There are many other species and all are very beautiful. 



Fig. 242. ALstroemeria pelegriua. 

 (1 nat. size.) 



