36 FLORA OF TASMANIA. | Aypoxidez. 
Gen. I. HYPOXIS, L. 
Perianthium superum, 6-partitum, patens, eeguale, persistens. Stamina 6; filamentis brevibus disco 
epigyno insertis; antheris introrsis. Ovarium 3-loculare ; loculis multi-ovulatis; ovulis 2-serlatis, amphi- 
tropis. Stigmata 3, angulis styli erecti adnata v. libera. Capsula 1-8-locularis, evalvis. Semina plurima ; 
testa coriacea; umbilico laterali rostelliformi; albumine molli, carnoso; embryone recto, axili ; radicula su- 
pera, hilo remota.—Herba radice tuberosa, tunicata ; foliis planis linearibusve ; scapo óracteato, l-pluri- 
Joro ; floribus sepissime flavis. 
Of this genus, which abounds in South Africa, only four or five Australian species are known. All are small 
herbs, with narrow, grassy, or filiform leaves, coated tubers, and. slender, one- or several-flowered scapes. Flowers 
yellow, erect. Perianth superior, of six equal, spreading pieces. Stamens six, inserted on an epigynous disc or 
thickened base of the perianth ; filaments short; anthers introrse. Style erect, with three adnate or free stigmas. 
Ovary inferior, three-celled ; cells with many ovules in two rows. Fruit indehiscent, three-celled, or with the 
dissepiments sometimes obliterated, coriaceous or membranous, crowned with the withered perianth. Seeds with a 
small, subulate point or hook at the umbilicus. (Name from ize, beneath, and o&vs, sharp ; in allusion to the elon- 
gate base of the capsule.) 
l. Hypoxis hygrometrica (Lab. Nov. Holl. i. 82. t. 108); pilosa, foliis anguste linearibus filifor- 
mibusve scapo gracili 1-2-floro longioribus, floribus majusculis, filamentis elongatis, antheris basi longe 
bifidis, stigmate simplici parvo.— Br. Prodr. 289. (Gunn, 561.) 
Has. Abundant in marshy and grassy pastures, etc., throughout the Island, ascending to 4000 feet. — 
(Fl. Nov.-April.) (v. v.) 
Disrris. Throughout extratropical Australia. 
Whole plant more or less pilose, 2-8 inches long. Leaves very slender, almost filiform, longer than the one- 
or two-flowered, slender scape. Flowers 3-3 inch broad, bright yellow. Stamens with the anther-cells free from 
the base upwards to the insertion of the filament, which is almost half their length. Style with small, clavate, 
adnate stigmata. Capsules turbinate. 
2. Hypoxis glabella (Br. Prodr. 289) ; glaberrima, foliis filiformibus scapo gracili 1-2-floro longi- 
oribus, floribus majusculis, staminibus subzequalibus, antheris anguste linearibus integris, stylo brevi, stig- 
mate late clavato integro v. trilobo.— Leim. in Plant. Preiss. ii. 14. (Gunn, 163.) (Tas. CXXX. A.) 
Has. Abundant in pastures, etc.—(Fl. Aug.-Oct.) (v. v.) 
| DISTRIB. Victoria and South-west Australia, 
Very similar in general appearance to H. hygrometrica, but glabrous, with paler flowers, and the stamens and 
style are very different. Stamens nearly equal. Anthers linear, entire at the base, on short filaments. Stigma 
large, clavate, on a stout, short style, entire or deeply lobed.—PrATE CXXX. 4. Fig. 1, flower; 2, stamen; 3, 
style and stigma :—all magnified. 
3. Hypoxis pusilla (Hook. fil.) ; glaberrima, foliis filiformibus flexuosis scapo brevi longioribus, 
floribus parvis, staminibus alternis minoribus, antheris elliptieis basi integris, stylo brevi, stigmatibus line- 
aribus, capsula turgida. H, hygrometrica ?, Pl. N. Zeal. i. 253. (Gunn, 761.) (Tas. CXXX. B.) 
Haz. Circular Head, Gunn.—(Fl. May.) 
Disrris. Victoria and South-west Australia, New Zealand. 
A smaller species than either of the preceding.—Bulb as large as a hazel-nut. 
Scape 3-13 inch high, one- rarely two-flowered. Flower £in 
segment of perianth and stamen ; 3, inner ditto ; 4, ovary 
fruit; 7, vertical section of ditto; 8, seed ; 9, ditto, cut 
Leaves wiry, 2-3 inches long. 
ch broad.—Piare CXXX. B. Fig. 1, flower; 2, outer 
‚ style, and stigma; 5, transverse section of ovary; 6,ripe 
longitudinally .—2477 magnified. 
