The Peruvian women entwine the flowers, which are very 
fragrant, in their hair,” 
Bulb half subterraneous, above the ground marked 
with the scars of fallen leaves. Leaves 14 foot long, strap- 
shaped, channelled, fleshy, weak, spreading on the ground, 
very smooth, green. Scape 2 feet high, round, as thick as 
a swan’s quill. Raceme corymbose, decussate, 6-flowered. 
Bractes acuminate, cordate, membranous, twice as short 
as pedicels, somewhat toothed, and pressed close to the 
pedicel, towards the end green, and firmer than at the 
sides. Flowers white, with the perfume of hawthorn. 
Sepals at first cup-shaped, then spreading, imbricated, 
broad-ovate, somewhat wavy, veiny, equal, fleshy, a little 
divided sometimes towards the end. Stamens 6, twice as 
short as petals, erect, inserted into the sepals; jilaments 
subulate; anthers ovate, at length vertical. Ovary obovate, 
dark green. Style filiform, simple, green at base. wea 
