274 SUB-ALPINE PLANTS ' 



Distribution. Eastern, Central, and Western Alps, Jura, 

 Cevennes, Pyrenees, Carpathians, Balkans ; often naturalised 

 in the plains and in England. 



Iris L. 



Seven species of Iris {virescens, germanica, sambucina, squalens, 

 graminea, Pseudacorus, and sibirica) may be found either native or 

 sub-spontaneous in Switzerland, but none of them reach the sub- 

 alpine region. 



AMARYLLIDACEiE 



Root bulbous (in all European genera). Leaves radical.- Perianth 

 petal-like, with 6 segments. Stamens 6, the anthers turned inwards. 

 Ovary 3-celled, inferior or adherent to the perianth-tube. Fruit a 

 capsule with several seeds, and 3-valved. 



A large family, widely distributed over the globe, but chiefly in 

 dry, sunny countries. 



Narcissus L. 



Flowers solitary, or several together, terminal. Perianth with a 

 distinct tube above the ovary, and 6 usually spreading segments, 

 with a cup-shaped or tubular white or coloured crown at their base, 

 round the orifice of the tube. 



A well-defined genus of few real species, chiefly South European 

 or Caucasian. 



Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus L. Daffodil. 



Bulb rather large. Leaves usually 2 or 3, about a foot long 

 when fully grown and J inch wide, bluish green. Stem rather 

 taller with a single, large, yellow flower. Perianth-tube about an 

 inch long, wider at the top, the segments ovate or oblong, paler 

 yellow. Crown slightly 6-lobed or wavy at the margin. 



Meadows, orchards, and pastures, especially in the mountains 

 and sub- Alps, and extending to 6000 feet, as at Saas Fee. March to 

 June, according to situation. 



Distribution. — Most of temperate and Southern Europe. 

 British. 



Narcissus -poeticus L. Poet's Narcissus. 



Flowers large, usually solitary, white, with yellow crown and 

 red crenulated border, very fragrant. 



Meadows and orchards, often abundant though local, and occa- 

 sionally, as at Mt. Cenis and Saas Fee, reaching 6000 feet. It 

 usually flowers in April and May, but later in the higher altitudes. 



According to Keller and Schinz, it is only sub-spontaneous in 

 Switzerland ! In the Eastern Pyrenees it reaches 5000 feet. 



Distribution. — Central and Southern Europe. 



A beautiful reproduction of a photograph showing how this 

 Narcissus grows in fields at Chateau d'Oex appears in the Journ. of the 



