THE LILY FAMILY 
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Other species provide us with vegetables, such as Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), Onion 
(Allium Cepa), Garlic (Allium sativum), Chives (Allium Schoenoprasum), Shallot (Allium 
ascalonicum), and Leek (Allium Porrum). Some species are useful in medicine. A bitter juice, 
obtained from the South African Aloes, an extract from the Mediterranean Squill (Urginea 
maritima), and a preparation from the roots of the Autumn Colchicum are of the most value. 
The Bromeliaceae, an order inhabiting tropical America, is very near akin to the Lily Family, 
from which it differs in possessing a distinct calyx and corolla. Several species are cultivated 
in greenhouses, such as the epiphyte Tillandsia, the Pourretia, and the Pineapple (Ananassa sativa), 
the fruit of the last named being an interesting example, similar to the Mulberry and Breadfruit, 
of what is called a “collective fruit,” and which really is a collection of small fleshy fruits all 
merged together on a fleshy receptacle. 
Fruit a berry ; root never bulbous. 
I. Butcher’s Broom (Rus'cus). Shrub. Flowers spreading, on the middle of false leaves ; 
stamens 3 ; leaves scale-like ; branches like leaves. 
II. Aspar'agus. Flowers tubular on jointed stalks ; leaves scale-like, with numerous bristly 
branches. 
III. Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum). Flowers tubular, in the axils of the leaves. 
IV. May Lily (Maian'themum). Flowers spreading, in a spike-like cluster terminating a leafy 
stem ; perianth-lobes and stamens 4. 
V. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria). Flowers bell-shaped in a terminal cluster on a 
leafless stalk. 
Fruit a capsule; leaves all radical; roots mostly bulbous. 
VI. Garlic (Al'lium). Flowers spreading, in a terminal umbel with a r- or 2-lobed sheath at 
the base. 
VII. Grape Hyacinth (Mus'cari). Flowers roundish, in a spike-like cluster. 
VIII. Hyacinth (Scil'la). Flowers bell-shaped or spreading, in a terminal cluster. 
IX. Simethis. Flowers spreading, in a terminal branched cluster ; filaments bearded ; root 01 
thick fleshy fibres. 
X. Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum). Flowers spreading, in a terminal cluster ; filaments 
broad and flattened. 
Perianth-lobes free or just united at the base ; fruit a capsule ; stems usually leafy ; roots 
bulbous. 
XI. Tulip (Tulip'a). Flowers large, bell-shaped, solitary on a leafy stem ; stigmas 3, spreading 
on the seedcase. 
XII. Lloyd'ia. Flowers spreading, usually solitary, on a leafy stem. 
XIII. Lily (Lil'ium). Flowers large, spreading or reflexed, in a terminal cluster on a leafy 
stem. 
XIV. Fritillary (Fritillaria). Flowers bell-shaped, usually solitary on a leafy stem ; 
stigmas 3. 
XV. Gagea. Flowers spreading, in a flat cluster with 2 large leafy bracts at the base. 
Fruit a capsule ; leaves mostly from the root ; roots rarely bulbous. 
XVI. Meadow Saffron (Col'chicum). Flowers solitary, nearly stalkless on the bulb ; perianth- 
tube long and stalk-like ; styles and stigmas 3. 
