r i II
sharp pointed. Capsule oblongly-elliptical, tapering considerably towards
the base, and a little towards the point ; it is now nearly ripened, and is rather
more than an inch and a half in circumference in the largest part, and
an inch and a quarter in length.
Our drawing of this singular plant, which has now flowered with us for
the first time, was brought to us from Naples, by Mr. Charles Ridgway,
under the name of Iris tuberosa, but as we had another very different species
at the same time, we were certain that they could not be the same ; and we
now believe there are several other species confused under that name, from
the short description “ foliis tetragonis” being given to them all ; but there
are three very distinct species easily recognised, by their foliage, roots, form
of the 3 large segments o f the flowers, and also o f the 3 small ones ; another
is figured in “ Swertius Florilegium,” which is apparently a fourth,
that is taken up also by Morison.
A t the time we were supplied with the tubers of this plant, by Mr. C.
Ridgway, about three years ago, we received, at the same time, several other
bulbs and tubers from him ; the greater part of those are now growing in
our garden, in a south border, where they are protected by a mat in Winter.
Narcissus neglectus flowered with us this Spring, which was one of them.
2. H . repens. Creeping-rooted Snake's head, perianthii segmentis exterioribus
apice rotundatis integerrimis : interioribus minimis setaceis uncinatis
inclusis, foliis tetragonis acutis scapo longioribus, spatha unica lanceolata
ventricosà.
Iris tuberosa. Sibthorp. Flor. grcec. v . l . i. 41. Redoute liliac, <.48.
Habitat in Arcadia et in Agro Eliensi. Sibthorp.
Root tuberous, fingered, white, 2 at the base of the plant like small
fingers; from this proceeds a runner, densely covered with shaggy chalF,
terminated by several smaller tubers, so that by this means it must encrease
very fast. Stem or scape erect, about a foot in height, simple, leafy, and
1-flowered. Leaves tetragonal, acute, pale green, apparently about 18
inches in length? R a d ica l sheaths membranaceous and cracking, surrounding
the leaves and scape, dilated at the base o f the stem, somewhat inflated,
and alternate. Spathe 1-glumed, lanceolate and ventricose. Flower terminal,
nearly erect, pale green, inflated: Perianthium segments, on the
exterior not bearded, apex broad and rounded, of a brownish black; interior
ones very small, broadest near the base, ending in a very slender point,
that is hooked, and inclosed, yellowish- tube filiform and elongated. S ta mens
3, pressed close to the back of the stigmas, yellow. Sty le yellow.
Stigma greenish y ellow; segments bifid and repanA— From Flora Grceca
description and figure translated into English.
2. H.bispathaceus. Common Snake’s-head, foliis angustis glaucis tetragonis,
floribus bispathaceus.
Iris tuberosa. Curt. bot. mag. <.531. Link enum. v . l . p . 480. Smith
herb, in coll. Linn. soe.
Root tuberous, 2-fingered : Leaves very narrow, glaucous, about a foot
or more in length. Spathes 2 , or 2-glumed, surrounding the peduncle, ovarium,
and tube of the flower; outer segments cuneate, retuse; the inner
small segments, very slender at the base, and widening upwards, the sides
clasping inwards, tapering to an elongated taper point, capsule rounded,
tapering to the base like a pear.
The generic name is derived from Mercury, and îdxTvXo», a finger,
from the roots resembling fingers.
1. Th e 3 small Segm en ts curved inwards a t the base and a considerable way up, to
show their cucullate form, terminated abruptly to a long slender point. Stamens 3 , attached
to the base o f th e Periantliiiim, from wh en ce thej^ grow, th e anthers pressed close
to the Stigma. 2. Short S ty le , with th e 3 long c le ft Stigm a s; one only shown full siz e ,
to show its c le ft Stigma ; the other 2 cut o ff n ear th e base, wh ere they are a little fringed.
3. Ovarium nearly full grown.
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