The flowers are for the most part conspicuous, and in plan like that of the adder’s-tongue; but some, like the rushes ([Fig. 83], E), have small, inconspicuous flowers; and others, like the yams and smilaxes, have flowers of two kinds, male and female.
Fig. 84.—Types of Liliifloræ. A, flower of the common blue-flag (Iris), × ½ (Iridaceæ). B, the petal-like upper part of the pistil, seen from below, and showing a stamen (an.). st. the stigma, × ½. C, the young fruit, × ½. D, section of the same, × 1. E, diagram of the flower. F, part of a plant of the so-called “gray moss” (Tillandsia), × ½ (Bromeliaceæ). G, a single flower, × 2. H, a seed, showing the fine hairs attached to it, × 1. I, plant of pickerel-weed (Pontederia), × ¼ (Pontederiaceæ). J, a single flower, × 1. K, section of the ovary, × 4.
The principal family of the Liliifloræ is the Liliaceæ, including some of the most beautiful of all flowers. All of the true lilies (Lilium), as well as the day lilies (Funkia, Hemerocallis) of the gardens, tulips, hyacinths, lily-of-the-valley, etc., belong here, as well as a number of showy wild flowers including several species of tiger-lilies (Lilium), various species of Trillium ([Fig. 83], A), Solomon’s-seal (Polygonatum) ([Fig. 83], B), bellwort (Uvularia), and others. In all of these, except Trillium, the perigone leaves are colored alike, and the leaves parallel-veined; but in the latter the sepals are green and the leaves broad and netted-veined. The fruit of the Liliaceæ may be either a pod, like that of the adder’s-tongue, or a berry, like that of asparagus or Solomon’s-seal.
Fig. 85.—Enantioblastæ. A, inflorescence of the common spiderwort (Tradescantia), × ½ (Commelyneæ). B, a single stamen, showing the hairs attached to the filament, × 2. C, the pistil, × 2.
Differing from the true lilies in having the bases of the perigone leaves adherent to the surface of the ovary, so that the latter is apparently below the flower (inferior), and lacking the inner circle of stamens, is the iris family (Iridaceæ), represented by the wild blue-flag (Iris versicolor) ([Fig. 84], A, E), as well as by numerous cultivated species. In iris the carpels are free above and colored like the petals (B), with the stigma on the under side. Of garden flowers the gladiolus and crocus are the most familiar examples, besides the various species of iris; and of wild flowers the little “blue-eyed grass” (Sisyrinchium).
The blue pickerel-weed (Pontederia) is the type of a family of which there are few common representatives ([Fig. 84], I, K).