536 FLORA OF TEXAS. 



interior lobes smaller; stamens 3, very short, opposite the 

 interior lobes of the perianth, the filaments flat and orbi- 

 cular at the apex ; anthers closely adhering to the globose 

 stigmas; ovary 1-celled, with three 2-winged parietal 

 placentae ; capsule obovate, splitting from the base into 

 three valves, which remain attached to the apex of the per- 

 sistent placentae ; seeds ovoid. — A small perennial herhf 

 with subulate bract-like leaves, and scattered nodding 

 floiuers. 



A. SETACEA, Nutt. Deep shady woods, along the mar- 

 gins of swamps. September and October. Stem erect or 

 ascending, purple, filiform, simple or branched, 2-8' high; 

 leaves scattered ; floiuers few, distant, on nodding pedicels ; 

 perianth white, 5" long. 



134. OECHIS FAMILY. Order, Orchidace^. 



Perennial herbs, with simple stems, ii'om thick fibrous or 

 tuberous roots, nerved leaves, and irregular often sliowy 

 floivers; perianth 6-parted, united below with the 1-celled 

 ovary, the three outer divisions (calyx) and commonly two 

 of the inner ones (petals) similar in form, but the third 

 posterior, or, by the twisting of the ovary, anterior one 

 {labelliim or lif), difi*ers from tlie others in form, and often 

 bears a spur or prominence at the base beneath; stamens 

 3, united with the style into a column, one or (in Cypripe- 

 dium) two only bearing a 2-celled antlier; pollen-griuns 

 cohering in 2, 4, or 8 waxy or powdery masses (pollinia) ; 

 capsule with three parietal placentae, splitting at the sides 

 into three valves ; 5ec6?s very numerous, minute, covered 

 with a loose membranaceous testa; albumen none. — Plants 

 mostly smooth and more or less succulent ; leaves almost 

 always alternate, sheathing and entire ; stems leafy or 

 scape-like; flowers bracted, solitary, spiked, or racemed, 

 and remarkable for their various and singular forms. 



