NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 
263 
fewer than thirteen flowers. Like its other botanical allies it grows upon the 
branches of trees, and most likely in a pendulous manner. Bot. Reg\^ 1889. 
THE LILY TRIBE (LILIACE^). 
Yucca draconis. Dragon-tree-leaved Adam's Needle. A most beautiful 
and stately species, found growing along the sea-shore of Carolina, frequently inter- 
mixed with Yucca gloriosa^ and flowers from May to August : it sometimes grows 
as much as nine or ten feet high. Bot. Reg., 1895. 
(yucca flaccida) weak-lea ved Adam's needle. 
This species was first noticed in the garden of Mr. Vere, of Kensington 
Grove, where it had probably been raised from North American seed. It is a 
pretty, and, apparently, distinct species, well marked by its thread-edged scabrous 
leaves, pallid flowers, and stemless habit. It is readily multiplied by offsets, and 
like the rest of the genus, thrives most in sandy soil, resembling that of the sea- 
shore, along which so many of the species are found wild in North America. 
" Nothing," says Dr. Lindley, " can be better adapted than these plants for orna- 
menting, either artificial or natural masses of rock- work, precipitous banks, or other 
situations, where the singular stems can be so much above the eye, as to form a 
bold and prominent object, standing out in strong relief against the sky. They are 
hardy perennials, and easily procured in the nurseries. Bot. Reg., 1893 and 1894. 
THE ASPHODEL TRIBE (ASPHODELEiE). 
Allium Siculum. Sicilian Garlic. A remarkable species of this genus found 
growing abundantly in the shady valleys of Madonia, a mountain 35 miles S. E. of 
Palermo. The flowers, as represented, are variously marked with purple and white ; 
and in the whole, form an umbel of twenty-seven blossoms. The scent is more 
powerful than that of any other species in the genus. Brit. Flor. Gard., 349. 
THE CORN-FLAG TRIBE (iRIDE^) 
Crocus suaveolens. Fragrant Crocus. This very pretty vernal crocus is 
found wild about Rome, and in other parts of Italy ; and was first recognised as a 
distinct species, by Professor Bertoloni. The leaves are narrow and erect, of a deep 
green colour, and the flowers being of a rather pale purple, give the plant an air of 
attractiveness and gaiety, when the latter are expanded under the early dawnings 
of the sun in spring. Brit. Flor. Gard., 352. 
the orchis tribe (ORCHIDE^j. 
Bletia patula. Spreading-Flowered Bletia. A very handsome species 
received at the Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, from Dr. Fischer, St. Petersburgh, 
in 1830, and said to be a native of Hayti. The flowers, which are large, are 
extremely handsome, being of a reddish-lilac colour except about the base of the 
labellum where they are white, and form a raceme of above twenty blooms upon a 
scape of three feet high. Bot. Mag., 3518. 
