38 FAM. 37, 38. 



2-valved spathe; perianth white with green tube. River-swamps. Sum- 

 mer. — Several species of Crinum are cultivated. 



3. Tube short or long, gradually expanding; scape fleshy, 1-flowered; 



stamens adnate to the throat of the tube, anthers versatile; 



style filiform, ------- Atamasco (Zephyranthes) 



A. Atamasco, Aiamasco-lily, Easter-lily, Amaryllis Perianth white or light 

 purple; stamens included. Low ground. Spring. — Some species with 

 red or red-striped flowers are cultivated. 



4. Ovary half -inferior; stems scape-like, leaves mainly basal; flowers 



in an elongated, interrupted, terminal raceme; stamens included. 

 Sandy pine-woods. Early Summer. - - - Aletris, Colic-root 



A. aurea, with a yellow, campanulate perianth, 

 A. obovata, with a white, obovoid perianth. 

 4. Ovary wholly inferior; acaulescent, leaves grass-like; scapes solitary 

 or tufted; flowers solitary or umbelled; stamens short; perianth 

 yellow within, ------ Hypoxis, Star-grass 



H. juncea with sheathing filiform leaves. Pine-land. Spring. 

 H. erecta with hirsute linear leaves. Sandy soil. Spring to Fall. 

 Among the cultivated plants of this family are: 



Galanthus nivalis or Snowdrop (flowers white), Leucoium vernumor Snow- 

 flake (sepals white, tipped with green or yellow), — both with a regular 

 perianth like Hypoxis. Further: Eucharis grandifiora, Amazon Lily, — 

 and many species of Narcissus cultivated as Daffodils and Jonquils 

 with a firm cup crowning the perianth. Finally the Agave or Century- 

 plant, also called American Aloe, and Polyanthes tuberosa, Tuberose. 



37. Tamaceae, Yam Family. 



Twining vines from rootstocks; simple and petioled 

 leaves, opposite or whorled near the base of the stem and 

 alternate above; flowers monoecious or dioecious in ax- 

 illiary inflorescence; perianth 6, partially united, green 

 or whitish; stamens 3-6; ovary 3-celled, inferior; styles 

 3 with entire stigmas; fruit a capsule. 



Dioscorea villosa, Wild Yam. Stem herbaceous; leaves cordate, 7-11 veined, 

 on slender petioles; flowers whitish; the sterile in panicles, the fertile in racemes or 

 spikes. Low ground. Summer. 



38. Ixiaceae (Iridaceae), Iris Family. 



Caulescent herbs from rootstalks; leaves equitant 

 and 2-ranked; perfect flowers solitary or in clusters, with 

 a 2-leaved spathe; perianth 6-parted, colored; stamens 

 3, adnate to the perianth; inferior ovary, 3-celled; fruit 

 a capsule. 



1. Styles filiform or united. ----------2 



1. Styles petal-like, arching over the stamens; — rootstock creeping or 

 tuberous; our species with leafy tall stems and sword-shaped 

 blades; flowers solitary or spiked, showy. Swamps. Spring 

 and Summer. - - - - - iri s , Blue Flag, Fleur-de-lis 



