TRIANDRIA MONOGYXIA 13 



^ual valves; the outer one longer than the flowers, both tinned of a violet hue. 

 Flatters 3 or 4 from each spathe. Perianth like a corolla, delicate blue. 



Hub. Low grounds, and meadows: frequent. FL May. Fr. June. 



9. S. A2TCEPS, Cavern. Stem ancipital, broad-winged, subramose 

 above, nearly leafless; valves of the spathe nearly equal, shorter than 

 the peduncles. Jieck, Jlot. p. 354. 



8. Bermudiana. Mr. Am. 2. p. 33. Florul. Cehr. p. 75. Also? J77/W. 

 ty. 3./;. 578. Per*. «Syn. 1. /a 50. jE//. £A* 2. />. 152. JEa*. *Va/z. 

 /;. 342. 



Two-kdgei) Sistrinchium. Vulgb — Iris-leaved Blue-eyed Grass. 



Root perennial. Stem ccspitosc, 12 to 18 inches high, compressed, with a broad- 

 winged margin on each side, somewhat branching above, with a sheathing leaf at 

 the base of the branches. Leaves broadish-linear, ensiform, tapering to a sharp 

 point. Sjutthe of two nearly equal lanceolate valves, 2 to 5 flowered, both shorter 

 than the flowers. Perianth blue. Capsule large, globose, on long projecting pe- 

 duncles. 



Ifab, Woodlands, thickets, &c. frequent. FL June. /V.July. 



Obs. There is some confusion between this, and S. ficrmu<Uana.— if thoy are 

 really distinct plants. Dr. Torret/t and others, use part of the description of S. Ber* 

 mudianOf&B given in WiltiL f>rthe S. unceps, viz: " spalha floribus breviorc ;" 

 whereas Willi! enoir.'s description of S. anceps, says ''floribus ltmgioreJ-—ar\d 

 Lamarck, as quoted, Bays "spathis florefl superantibus." In our plant, the spathe 

 is decidedly s//o?ter than the flowers ; and I have no doubt it is the S. lh rmudiwia 

 •/ Elliott* The foregoing are the only well ascertained species in the U. States. 



14. IRIS. L. Mitt. Gen. 34. 



fits varied hues resembling those of the Iris, or rainbow.] 



Perianth corolla-like, 6-parted ; 3 of the lobes larger and reflected, the 

 others erect or comment. Style short, or none : Stigmas 3, petaloid, 

 oblong, arched over the stamens. Capsule 3-celled, 3-valved, many 

 needed. 



Herbaceous: leaves mostly ensiform, with sheathing margins below,' bracts, or 

 spathes, membranaceous. Aat. Ord. 239. Li?uil. Irideje. 



1. I. vr.nsicoLon, L. var. communis, Ton*. Stem erect, flexuose; 

 leaves ensiform ; perianth beardless ; angles of the ovary not grooved 

 when young ; sides deeply concave ; capsule obscurely triangular. Heck, 

 Bot. p. 353. 



I. virginica. Florul. Cestr.p.6. Not of L. and others. 

 (CoiOR-CHANGlNG Iris. Vulffd — Wild flag. 



Root perennial, fleshy, large and creeping. Slem 2 to 3 feet high, rather taller 

 tha» the leaves. FlotCi rs 2 to6 in a terminal raceme : lobes of the- perianth, spatu-.- 

 late, blue, variegated with yellow at base ; inner lobes paler. 



Hab. Margins of ponds, and miry places : frequent. Fl. May. Fr. 



Obs. Seven or eight other species are enumerated in tiitf U. States, Dr. Bigelow 

 remarks that the ruot of this is a violent emetic, 



2 



