8.S 



PLANTS OP NEW ZEALAND 



A species of Poli/podiiiiii is sometimes found climbing up 

 the nikau stem, but as a rule the trunk is too smooth and 

 polished to allow creepers to gam an}' hold upon it. 



Liliaceae. 



The Lily Family. 



Distribution. — An extensive family, occurring in all climates. The greater 

 nmnber of these l.)eautiful plants are herbaceous, with bulbous roots, but in 

 tropical countries they sometimes attain to the size of large trees. Two of the 

 most notable plants of this family, found in New Zealand, are the Cabbage Tree 

 (Cordyline mistralis) and the Flax iFhi>n)iium tenax). The lilies, tulips, and 

 hyacinths are well-known garden flowers, while the onion, leek, and asparagus 

 are useful vegetables. The Butcher's broom is the only shrubby British species. 

 Thu calyx of all liUaceous plants is petaloid, that is, the sepals have the 

 appearance of petals. The herbaceous species usually produce large and showy 

 flowers. 



Key to the Genera. 



ill) Leaves net-veined. Fruit a berr>". 



Cliiiibin^^ shrulja. 



Creeping' berbs. 

 (/'I Leaves parallel-veined. Fruit a berrj'. 



Glabrous terrestrial herbs. Berries blue. 



Tufted silkv herbs, usuallv epi])hytic. 



Trees, or rarely herbs. Flowers white. 

 (r) Leaves ijarallel-veiued. Fruit a capsule. 

 1. Flowers racemed, yellow, with spreading perianth. 



Flowers panicled. 

 ■1. Flowers white, jierianth sjireading. Pedicels joitited. 



Flowers red and yellow, tubular. 



Flowers, solitary, in spathes {sbentliing 

 liracts), when in bnd. 



Ehipogoninu, ji. 90. 

 Luzuriaga, p. 9-Z. 



Dianella, p. 98. 

 Astelia, ]). 98. 

 Cordyline, p. 9'2. 



Bnlbinella. 



Arthroi)odiuni p. 100. 

 Phornunni, ]> 102. 



Herpoliriou, ]). lOS. 



Gen us lili Ipixjon ii in . 



A genus of three species, one New Zealand and two Australian. Rope-liko 

 climbers with alternate leaves, and racemes of greenish flowers. Perianth of 

 leaflets. Sta,mens, 0; longer than the petals. Fruit, a berry, scarlet. (Name 

 from the GrcL'k, iTnyAWUv^ jointed twig). 1. s[i. 



