CII. HYPOXlDACEiE 
517 
broad, nerves prominent. Flowers 2-sexual, regular, yellow, single 
or in pairs on thread-like, sometimes branched, axillary scapes 
shorter than the leaves. Perianth sessile on the top of the ovary, 
6-parted nearly to the base ; segments in two series, lanceolate, 
^ in., spreading, green on the back. Stamens 6, at the base of the 
segments and shorter than them. Ovary 3-celled ; ovules many ; 
style short, column-like, stigmas 3, erect. Capsule J in., oblong, 
crowned by the withered perianth, 3-valved ; seeds many, small, 
black, rough. (Fig. 173.) 
Simla, in gras3 ; common. — June-August. — Subtropical Himalaya. — Khasia, 
Deccan. — Java, China, Japan. 
Fig. 173. Hypoxis atjrea 
CIII. DIOSCOREACEAE 
Climbing shrubs ; stems annual. Leaves simple or digitately 
3-5-foliolate, basal nerves prominent, curving outwards. Flowers 
minute, 1 -sexual, in spikes or racemes. Perianth superior, 6- 
parted ; segments petal-like, in two series. Stamens 6, at the 
base of the segments, sometimes only 3 perfect. Ovary inferior, 3- 
celled ; ovules two in each cell ; styles 3. Capsule hard, 3-valved, 
3-winged ; seeds flattened. — Tropical and subtropical regions. 
DIOSCOREA. From Dioscorides, the classical author. — 
Warmer regions of both Hemispheres. 
