HELONIUS BULLATA. 
SPEAR-LEAVED HELONIUS. 
Class. Order. 
HEXANDRIA. TRIGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
MELANTHACEAi. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
N. America. 
9 inches. 
Apr. May. 
Perennial. 
in 1758. 
No. 235. 
Helonius, from the Greek helos, a marsh, seems 
to have been adopted on account of the moist situa- 
tions in which some of the species are found indige- 
nous. Bullata, from the Latin, signifying decked 
with studs; given in allusion to the studded appear- 
ance which the anthers produce in the general effect 
of the raceme of flowers. As bullata also signifies 
vain or empty, it is not unappropriate to the plant, 
as a scentless beauty. 
If not odoriferous, it is very attractive in appear- 
ance, and nicely adapted for cultivation in a pot; or 
in the mixed flower border, with Scilla, Hyacinth, 
Narcissus, and other similar spring beauties. 
It will grow kindly in light peaty soil; or, if this 
be inconvenient to obtain, rotten leaves, with a small 
portion of any common soil, will serve as a good 
substitute. It increases by suckers; and is said 
sometimes to ripen its seed, but this we have never 
observed to occur. 
Pot culture affords the best opportunity for its 
protection, whilst in flower; which is often desirable 
with this and other similar subjects that produce 
their blossoms early in the season. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 2, 330. 
