610 BUEMANNIACE^ — SJEM.OVOnA.GEM — DIOSCOEEACE^. 



Order 191. — Burmanniaoe^, the Burmannia FamUy. {Mono- 

 Epigyn) Perianth coloured, tubular, 6-cleft, the three outer segments 

 (calyx) often keeled at the back, the three inner (petals) minute. 

 Starnens 3, inserted in the tube of the perianth and opposite its inner 

 segments, sometimes with 3 alternating sterile filaments ; anthers 

 dithecal, opening transversely, with a fleshy connective. Ovary in- 

 ferior, either 1- or 3-celled, in the latter case the cells opposite the 

 outer segments of the perianth ; ovules 00 ; style simple ; stigmas 3. 

 Fruit a' 1-3-celled, 3-valved capsule, crowned by the persistent peri- 

 anth. Seeds 00, minute, striated. — Herbs, with radical leaves and 

 bisexual flowers. Natives of moist grassy places in tropical regions. 

 They have no properties of importance. Apostasia is placed by some 

 in this order, while by others it is put in a distinct order — Apo- 

 STASIA0E2B. There are about 13 known genera and 40 species.- 

 Examples — Burmannia, Apteria, Apostasia? 



Order 192. — H^modoeace^, the Blood-root Family. {Mono- 

 Epigyn.) Perianth petaloid, more or less woolly, 6-cleft. Stamens 

 inserted on the perianth, either 3, and opposite the inner segments of 

 the perianth, or 6 ; anthers introrse. Ovary inferior, usually 3-ceUed, 

 rarely 1-celled ; ovules 1-2 or numerous ; style simple ; stigma un- 

 divided. Fruit a 3-valved capsule, sometimes indehiscent. Seeds 

 either definite or 00, sometimes peltate ; embryo in cartilaginous 

 albumen. — Herbs with fibrous roots, equitant distichous leaves, and 

 bisexual flowers. They are found in various parts of the world, more 

 especially in the warm parts of South America, at the Cape of Good 

 Hope, as well as in North America and Australia. Lindley mentions 

 13 genera and 50 species. Examples — Hsemodorum, Anigosanthus, 

 Vellozia, Barbaoenia. 



The plants receive the name of Blood-root, from the red colour of 

 their roots, which are used for dyeing. Velloaias, Tree Lilies, give a 

 decided feature to the vegetation of the mountains of Minas Geraes in 

 Brazil. Their trunks are covered by the withered remains of the 

 leaves, and their branches are dichotomous, and bear tufts of leaves 

 at the extremities. The outer surface of their stems is covered thickly 

 with numerous adpressed rootlets. 



Order 193. — DioscoEEACEi®, the Yam tribe. (Mono-Epiffyn.) 

 Flowers unisexual. Perianth in 6 divisions. 5 • Stamens 6, 

 inserted into the base of the perianth ; anthers introrse, with longi- 

 tudinal dehiscence. § ■ Ovary inferior, 3-oelled ; ovules 1-2, ana- 

 tropal ; style bifid ; stigmas undivided. Fruit a compressed trilo- 

 cular capsule, with 2 cells, sometimes abortive, occasionally fleshy 

 and indehiscent. Seeds compressed, winged or wingless, in the suc- 

 culent fruit, ovate ; embryo small, near the hilum, lying ia a large 

 cavity of cartilaginous albumen. — Twining shrubs, with large epigeal 

 or hypogeal tubers, alternate, sometimes opposite, slightly reticulated 



