90 CLASS-BOOK OF BOTANY. 
CHAPTER VI. 
24. Tris, FuaG-Lity, oR FLEUR-DE-Lys ([7ris gernvanica). 
Wits this type we enter on the examination of a serxies of 
plants differing in a very considerable degree from all pre- 
viously described. This plant is not only commonly culti- 
vated in gardens, but has run wild in many parts of New 
Zealand, particularly in the North Island. 
Note the thick prostrate rhizome sending up its tufts of 
leaves (see fig. 172). These are sessile and alternate, their 
bases sheathing one another in two parallel ranks: this 
arrangement is called equitant.* Hach leaf is ensiform,| 
or sword-shaped, and the two sides of the blade are longi- 
tudinally folded together. Note the parallel venation and 
the entire margins. 
The flowers are produced on scapes, and each is covered in 
bud by 2 spathes} (this name being applied to any large 
covering bracts which completely envelop a flower or in- 
florescence). Each flower has a superior 6-leaved petaloid 
perianth, of which the outer 3 leaves represent sepals, and the 
inner 3 petals. On the base of the three outer segments the 
3 stamens are inserted, each filament bearing a long narrow 
2-celled basifixed anther, which opens outwardly (exirorse), or 
away from the stigmas. The ovary is inferior and 3-celled, 
having numerous ovules on 8 axile placente. The 3 stigmas, 
which are opposite to the stamens, are expanded into bifid pe- 
taloid lobes having their stigmatic surface on the under-side of 
the lamella. The fruit is a 3-celled capsule, which dehisces 
loculicidally, and the numerous seeds have a short terete 
embryo in the centre of somewhat firm, almost horny, 
endosperm. 
The most notable differences between this plant and all 
which we have previously considered are, the absolutely 
parallel venation of its leaves, and the uniformly Waee ae 
(in 3s) symmetry of its flowers. These characteristics W! 
be found to prevail in most of the succeeding types. 
* Lat. equitans, riding. 
+ Lat. ensis, a sword. 
t Gr, spathé, a flat piece of wood. 
