BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
281 
GENUS I. 
THE FLOWER DE LUCE. (Iris, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Perianthium six-parted; the sepals larger and spreading, the petals smaller and erect. Stamens distinct, opposite the 
sepals. Styles three, very large, petaloid, opposite the sepals, and incumbent upon the stamens. {Lin.) 
Description, &c.—T here are only two British species of this genus, both of which are perennial plants, 
with showy flowers, to the variety and brilliancy of the colours of which the name of Iris, which signifies an 
eye, alludes. The genus is placed in the Linmean class Triandria, from its three stamens ; and in the order 
Monogynia, because it has only one style. 
1.—THE YELLOW WATER IRIS, OR COMMON FLOWER DE LUCE. (Iris pseud-Acorus, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 578 ; 2nd ed., t. 47 ; and our fig. 1, in PL 54. 
Specific Character. —Corolla beardless; inner segments smaller than the stigmas. Leaves sword-shaped. Seeds angular. (Smith.) 
Description, &c.—T his very showy plant is extremely common in ditches, shallow ponds, and the marshy 
ground near rivers. It was formerly esteemed in medicine, but it is now seldom used; though the root is a 
powerful cathartic, and also an astringent. In some places this plant is called the yellow corn-flag; and its 
seeds are roasted as a substitute for coffee. There is one variety of this species, which has pale blue flowers, and 
another which has white ones. _ 
2.—THE STINKING IRIS. (Iris foetidissima, Lin.) 
Synonymes. —Gladwyn ; Roast-beef plant. Specific Character. —Corolla beardless ; inner segments, spreading. 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 596 ; 2nd ed., t. 48; and our fig. 2. Stem with one angle. Leaves sword-shaped. Seeds globose. ( Lindley■ ) 
in PI. 54. 
Description, &c.—T his species is only found in groves, and it is most common in Devonshire. The leaves 
when slightly bruised smell somewhat like roast beef; but when too strong, this smell becomes offensive. The 
flowers, which are not so showy as those of the preceding species, appear in May ; and they are succeeded by 
deep orange-coloured seeds, which, when the capsules open in autumn, become very ornamental. The plant is 
common in Devonshire, but rare in other parts of England. 
GENUS II. 
THE BULBOCODIUM. (Trichonema, Ker.) 
Lin. Syst. TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Perianthium in six deep equal segments; longer than the tube. Filaments downy. Stigmas very slender, deeply 
cloven. (Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —There is only one British species in this genus, viz., the channel-leaved Bulbocodium or 
Dwarf Ixia, ( T. Bulbocodium, Ker.) ; and this can scarcely be called a native, as it has only been found on 
grassy hillocks in Guernsey. The plant is a perennial, and the stem is thickened at the base into what is called 
a corm, or solid bulb. The flowers, which are whitish, and rather pretty though small, appear in March or 
April. The name of Trichonema is derived from two Greek words, signifying a hair-like filament. The genus 
is placed in the same Linnoean class and order as the last. 
