AMARYLLIDACE^-AMARYLLIS FAMILY 



Smooth perennial herbs, with bulbs or rootstocks; bearing 

 flat, radical leaves that have no distinction betvi^een blade and 

 petiole. The flowers are borne singly, or in clusters at the sum- 

 mit of a scape; at first, included in a membranous spathe. Per- 

 fect, usually regular; the calyx and corolla so united that no dis- 

 tinction is made between them; and the floral envelope is called 

 a perianth. This is tubular, the border six-lobed or six-parted; 

 it sits upon and is adnate to the ovary. There are six stamens. 

 The ovary is three-celled; style slender. Fruit a three-celled cap- 

 sule, many-seeded. 



The Amaryllids are closely allied to the lilies. The chief differ- 

 ence between them lies in the position of the ovary. In the lilies 

 the three-celled ovary lies within the flower cup; in all the Amaryl- 

 lids the flower cup sits upon the ovary; that is, in botanical lan- 

 guage, the ovary is inferior. Structurally, the difference is con- 

 siderable; apparently, it is very little. 



The family includes many species distinguished by the beauty 

 of their flowers. They are herbaceous plants, or when, as in the 

 genus Ag&ve, Century Plant, they form woody stems they have 

 still the character of gigantic herbs rather than of shrubs. 

 There are about four hundred known species in the Family, 

 natives of tropical, sub-tropical and more sparingly of temper- 

 ate regions— particularly abundant at the Cape of Good Hope. 

 A few species only are European. 



In general cultivation are the Daffodil, Poet's Narcissus, Poly- 

 anthus Narcissus, Jonquil, Snowdrop, Snowflake, and Tuberose. 

 In addition to the hardy representatives of the family there are 

 coming into the gardens species of Alstrosmtria and Crlnum that 

 can be cultivated out of doors with but slight protection. 



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