124 
Monocotyledons with Petaloid Flowers. 
Natural Order 
LILIACEZE. Tab. 96. 
Diagnosis. —Herbs, rarely shrubby or arborescent in exotic genera, with 
radical or cauline leaves and bulbous, or with fibrous or fascicled, roots. 
segments. Stamens 6 (-8), hypogynous or epiphyllous. Ovary superior, 3 
(-4)-celled. Seeds albuminous. 
Distribution. —A vast Natural Order, generally diffused throughout the Temperate and Tropical 
zones of both Hemispheres ; especially numerous in Southern Africa and the warmer countries of the 
North Temperate zone in the Old World. The Canary Islands possess a remarkable arborescent 
species, the Dragon Tree (. Draccena Draco), individuals of which occasionally attain an immense age. 
Number of British Genera, 20; Species, 30. 
Liliacese, as usually circumscribed, include several groups very dissimilar in general habit, but nearly all agreeing 
in the characters of the above diagnosis. The more important of these groups, distinguished as Sub-orders, are:— 
1. Trillidr/E.—L eaves net-veined, whorled. Flowers perfect. Stigmas distinct. Fruit a berry. Example : 
Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia). 
2. Lilieze.—L eaves parallel-veined. . Flowers perfect. Styles united. Fruit a capsule. Examples : Lily 
(■ Lilium ), Tulip (Tulipa), Hyacinth ( Hycicinthus ), Garlick (Allium). 
3. Asparagineze. —Leaves parallel-veined or scale-like. Flowers perfect or unisexual. Styles united. Fruit 
a berry. Examples : Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria), Solomon’s Seal (. Polygonatum ), Butcher’s Broom (. Ruscus ), 
Asparagus. 
