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Allium.] LXXXV,. LILIACEA, 467 
Spatha-bracts short. Perianth-segments oblong, not spreading. Stamens 
about half their length, all simple. 
In moist, shady places, in the Mediterranean region, from Spain to 
Greece, unknown in France, except the extreme south. In Britain con- 
fined to Cornwall and the Island of Guernsey. Fl. May and June. 
XV. SIMETHIS. SIMETHIS. 
A single species, differing from all British capsular-fruited Ldliacee 
except Narthecium in its rootstock not bulbous, and from Narthecium 
in its panicled flowers, deciduous perianth, and few seeds. It was 
formerly comprised in the exotic genus Anthericum, but has been 
isolated on account of a different habit, accompanied by slight differ- 
ences in the stamens, and the number of seeds. 
1. S. bicolor, Kunth. (fig. 1056). Variegated S.—Rootstock short, 
with a tuft of thick fibrous roots. Leaves all radical, long, linear, and 
grass-like. Stem leafless, usually under a foot high, branching in the 
upper part, with a bract under each branch, the lowest bracts often 
linear and leaf-like. Flowers erect, in a loose terminal panicle. 
Perianth spreading, of 6 oblong segments, about 4 lines long, white 
inside, purplish outside, especially near the tip. Stamens shorter than 
the perianth-segments, inserted near their base, the filaments very 
woolly. Style entire. Capsule 3-valved, with 2 shining black seeds in 
each cell. 
On heaths and open wastes, in the extreme west of Europe, from 
north-western Africa and Italy to Kerry, in Ireland, and formerly found 
in plantations, near Eastbourne, in Dorsetshire, possibly introduced | 
with the seeds of the Pinaster. Fl. early summer. 
XVI. NARTHECIUM. NARTHECIUM. 
A single species, with the grass-like vertical leaves, simple racemes, 
and persistent yellow perianth of Yofteldia, but with the bearded fila- 
ments and simple style of Simethis, differing from both in its minute 
seeds, with a thread-like point at each end. The consistence of the 
perianth, firmer than in the generality of Ziliacece, shows an approach 
to Juncacee, with which many botanists associate it. 
1. N. ossifragum, Huds. (fig. 1057). Bog or Lancashire Asphodel.— 
Rootstock shortly creeping. Stem stiff and erect, 6 inches to a foot 
high or rarely more. Leaves shorter than the stem and near its base 
linear, vertically flattened and sheathing at their base in 2 opposite 
ranks as in Iridee ; the upper ones reduced to short scales. Flowers in 
a stiff terminal raceme, of a bright yellow. Perianth-segments spread- 
ing, lanceolate and pointed, 3 or 4 lines long, green on the back and 
persistent as in Ornithogalum. Stamens rather shorter, their filaments 
covered with a white wool. Capsule very pointed, longer than the 
perianth. 
In bogs, in western and central Europe, and North America, but not 
an Arctic plant; a rare instance of a species common to Europe and 
North America without extending over Asia. In Britain, abundant in © 
bogs and wet moors. Fl. swmmer. 
