4. ANDROSTÉPHIUM, Torr.
Perianth funnel-form, the cylindrical tube equalling the somewhat spreading limb or shorter; segments 1-nerved. Stamens 6, in one row upon the throat; the filaments united to form an erect tubular crown, with bifid lobes alternate with the oblong versatile anthers. Capsule sessile, subglobose-triquetrous, beaked by the stout persistent style; seeds large, few to several in each cell.—Scape and linear leaves from a membranous- or fibrous-coated corm; pale lilac flowers umbellate; pedicels not jointed; involucral bracts several. (Name from ἀνήρ, for stamen, and στέφος, crown, referring to the stamineal crown.)
1. A. violàceum, Torr. Scape 2–6´ high; flowers 8–12´´ long or more, usually exceeding the stout pedicels, the tube nearly as long as the limb; crown scarcely shorter than the limb.—Kan. to Tex.
5. CAMÁSSIA, Lindl.
Perianth of 6 colored (blue or purple) spreading sepals, 3–7-nerved, slightly irregular, mostly deciduous; the 6 filiform filaments at their base. Style thread-like, the base persistent. Capsule oblong or obovate, 3-angled, loculicidal, 3-valved, with several black roundish seeds in each cell.—Scape and linear leaves from a coated bulb; the flowers in a simple raceme, mostly bracted, on jointed pedicels. (From the native Indian name quamash or camass.)
1. C. Fràseri, Torr. (Eastern Camass. Wild Hyacinth.) Scape 1° high or more; leaves keeled; raceme elongated; bracts longer than the pedicels; sepals pale blue, 3-nerved, 4–7´´ long; capsule acutely triangular-globose. (Scilla Fraseri, Gray.)—Rich ground, W. Penn. to Minn. and E. Kan., and in the mountains to Ga.
6. ORNITHÓGALUM, Tourn. Star-of-Bethlehem.
Perianth of 6 colored (white) spreading 3–7-nerved sepals. Filaments 6, flattened-awl-shaped. Style 3-sided; stigma 3-angled. Capsule membranous, roundish-angular, with few dark and roundish seeds in each cell, loculicidal.—Scape and linear channelled leaves from a coated bulb. Flowers corymbed, bracted; pedicels not jointed. (An ancient whimsical name from ὄρνις, a bird, and γάλα, milk.)
O. umbellàtum, L. Scape 4–9´ high; flowers 5–8, on long and spreading pedicels; sepals green in the middle on the outside.—Escaped from gardens. (Nat. from Eu.)
O. nùtans, L. Scape 1° high or more; flowers 5 or 6, large (1´ long), nodding on very short pedicels; filaments very broad.—Rarely escaped from gardens; Penn. (Adv. from Eu.)