612 AMAEYLLIDACEjE — HYPOXIDACByE — BROMELIACE^. 



Pita flax. This plant does not flower often, but when flowering- 

 begins it proceeds with great rapidity and vigour. Its roots are 

 sometimes used to adulterate Sarza. Its juice is fermented so as to 

 form an intoxicating beverage. Agave Saponaria is used in Mexico- 

 for washing. The bulbs of Narcissus poeticus, N. Jonquilla, N. odorus, 

 N. pseudo-narcissus, N. Taaetta, and of some species of Pancratium, are 

 emetic. The Guernsey Lily is also reputed poisonous. Some AlstrS- 

 merias are diuretic. In Alstromerias (fig. 275, p. 186) the leaves are 

 twisted, so that what should be the upper surface becomes the lower. 

 In Narcissus the corona or crown of abortive filaments projects 'beyond 

 the flower ; whUe in Pancratium the dilated filaments of the fertile 

 stamens unite together, and are included within the perianth. Many 

 ornamental garden plants belong to the order. Some have supposed 

 that Sternlerffia lutea is the Lily of the fields referred to by Christ. 

 The snowdrop (Oalanthus nivalis) and the snowflake (Leucojum vernum} 

 belong to this order. 



Order 195. — HypoxidacEjE, the Hypoxis Family. {Mono-Epigyn.} 

 Perianth petaloid, superior, usually 6-parted, regular. Stamens 6, 

 inserted into the base of the segments of the perianth, filaments dis- 

 tinct ; anthers introrse. Ovary inferior, 3-celled ; ovules numerous, 

 amphitropal ; style simple ; stigma 3-lobed. Fruit indehiscent, some- 

 times succulent, 1-2-3-celled. Seeds 00, with a lateral hilum and a 

 beaked caruncle ; testa black, and crustaceous ; embryo straight, in 

 the axis of fleshy albumen ; radicle remote from the hilum. — Herba- 

 ceous and usually stemless plants, with tuberous and fibrous roots, 

 radical plaited leaves, and simple or branched scapes. Natives of 

 warm countries. Some have bitter roots, others have edible tubers. 

 There are 5 known genera, including 60 species. Examples — Hypoxis, 

 Ourculigo. 



Order 196. — Beomeliacejs, the Pine-apple Family. {Mono- 

 Pericjyn.) Perianth tubular, 6-divided, in 2 verticils ; outer whorl 

 (calyx) persistent, more or less adherent to the ovary ; inner petaloid, 

 marcescent or deciduous, with imbricated aestivation. Stamens 6, 

 inserted into the base of the segments of the perianth ; anthers in- 

 trorse. Ovary either free or partially adherent, 3-celled ; ovules GO, 

 anatropal ; style single ; stigma 3-lobed or entire, often twisted. 

 Fruit capsular or succulent (figs. 280, p. 190 ; 570, p. 316), 3-celled. 

 Seeds 00 ; embryo minute, curved or straight, lying in the base of 

 mealy albumen ; radicle next the hilum. Stemless or short-stemmed 

 plants, with rigid, channelled leaves, which are often spiny at the 

 margin, and are covered with scurfy matter. Natives of the warm 

 parts of America chiefly. There are 30 genera, according to authors, 

 and 170 species. Examples — Bromelia, Ananassa, Tillandsia, Bona- 

 partea. 



The plants of this order are all more or less epiphytic, being able 



