FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 47 
Family Juncaceae. Rush Family. The rushes are limited to 7 
genera, but contain over 200 species, a large part-of which belong to 
Juncus. They are of very wide dis- 
tribution and very varied habitat, al- 
though a majority, perhaps, may be 
said to prefer wet or moist ground. 
The plants may always be distinguished 
from the grasses and sedges, to which 
they bear a close external resemblance, 
by the distinct perianth, which is, how- 
ever, dry and chaffy in texture. The 
ovary is also three-celled instead of 
one-celled, as in those families. Rushes 
have little or no economic value, even 
for forage purposes; but in- Holland the 
stems of various rushes are extensively 
used as winter coverings for newly- 
planted tulip and hyacinth beds. 
Family Stemonaceae. Stemona : 
Family. This is a small group, con- _, #16. 4—Dooryard rush, Juncus 
enUurs. 
taining one or two tropical genera and 
a single monotypic genus, Crooméia in the Southern United States. 
More interest attaches to this plant from its extreme varity than from 
its appearance or structure; it is a low herb with a whorl of roundish 
or oblong leaves at the summit of the stems, and a few small greenish 
flowers. The plant has been found only in two or three localities in 
Florida and Alabama. 
Family Melanthaceae. Bunch flower Family. This and the fol- 
lowing three families are frequently united with the Liliaceae into one 
large group, but the differences of habit and floral structure are en- ‘ 
tirely sufficient to warrant their separation. The Melanthaceae con- 
tain about 36 genera and 140 species, of very widespread distribution. 
They have usually thick tuberous roots or rootstocks, and spicate or 
racemose flowers, the perianth of which is often persistent, adhering 
to the capsule. They are all herbs, usually scapose in habit. In our 
country the majority occur in the South, where the pine-barren 
bogs form their favorite haunts. Probably the most familiar examples 
of this family are the wild hillebore (Veratrum) and the bellwort 
(Uvularia} the latter, unlike its relatives, having, solitary, nodding, 
