JV*. tazetta. L. From the Italian for cup, from the cup-form
appendage of the corolla, and in English, Polyanthus, on account
of its numerous flowers ; beautiful.
JV. pseudo-narcissus. L. Daffodil, or double-flowered, has a
bell-form cup erect and crisped ; spathe 1-flowered.
G alanthus. L. 6. 1.
As the flower has a snow-white color, the genus is from the
Greek for milk and flower.
G. nivalis. L. Snow-drop. A beautiful early flower, with
smooth leaves ; introduced from the meadows of Britain. No
varieties or hybrids have f\een produced from it. Loudon.
ORDER 239. IR ID E iE . C orn-flag T r ib e .
Floral envelope 6-parted, or 6-petalled, in 2 rows, 3 often very
short; -stamens 3, on the base of the corolla ; ovary inferior,
3-celled, manyrseeded ; style 1, and stigmas 3, often petal-like ;
leaves, except of Crocus, equitant, 2-ranked ; flowers covered by
a spathe or spathe-like bract, beautiful and fugitive.- Properties
of very little consequence ; root of some, cathartic.
I r i s . L. 3. 1. Iris or Corn-flag.
From their beautiful flowers, named after Iris, the rainbow, or,
in Egyptian, the eye of heaven. Loudon. A numerous genes,
and very beautiful ; abundant in Europe and Africa ; about 10
species in North America, and 2 of them in this State. Petals
alternately reflected.
I. versicolor. L. Blue or Poison Flag. Common on wet
grounds, and about sluggish waters, or stagnant pools ; root cathartic
; fine sword-form leaves.
/. Virginica. L. A less common plant, in similar situations ;
near Boston, it is slender and more delicate, was called I . gracilis.
Big.
I. plicata. L. Flower de Luce. A tall and splendid plant
of gardens ; odor of flowers pleasant.
/• pumila. L. Dwarf Iris. A small species from Hungary,
often set for the edging of walks ; very beautiful early m the spring.
ƒ. ochroleuca. L. Yellow Iris. A beautiful species with
yellowish flowers, from the East.
I. Chinensis. L. Stripid Iris, from China. Another fine
species.
It is rather singular, that of the 70 species of this genus, no
more have come into cultivation for their beauty.
G ladiolus. L. 3. 1. Corn-flag.
Named from its sword-like leaves ; a genus of 80 species, of
which only 1 or 2 seem to have found their way into our gardens,
or as pot-flowers.
G. communis. L. Corn-flag. A beautiful species, with fine
leaves and splendid flowers ; indigenous to the South of Europe.
S isvrinchium. L . 3. 1.
Chiefly an American genus ; 3 species belong to the United
States ; one is common over the country. Spathe 2-leafed,
corolla flat, equal.
S. anceps. L. Blue-eyed Grass. A beautiful, grass-like
plant, with two-edged stem, and flat leaves, growing over pastures
and upland meadows, with a few fine blue flowers. It would be a
beautiful plant in gardens, and would grow probably without difficulty.
A foot high or less ; July.
C rocus. L. 3. 1.
Spathe radical, and corolla funnel-form with a long slender
tube ; a beautiful genus of plants.
C. sativus. L. Saffron. Sometimes named C. officinalis, L.,