Flora of Sri Lanka

Group: 2 Angiosperms (Flowering Plants) - II - Monocotyledons Genera: 12 Species: 22

Including Genera

Agapanthus Allium Atriplex Clivia Crinum Hippeastrum Hymenocallis Pancratium Proiphys Scadoxus Urceolina Zephyranthes

Key to Genera

Family Identification Features

Herbs, usually with subterrenean bulbs. Leaves radical, generally distichous, sheathing at base, usually few. Inflorescence few- to many-flowered (rarely one-flowered), umbel-like, subtended by an involucre of 1-8 bracts. Flowers regular or irregular, bisexual, epigynous, conspicuous. Perianth 3+3, petaloid, tepals free or connate. Stamens 3+3, inserted in the perianth tube, the filaments sometimes dilated and connate at the base forming a corona. Anthers basifixed or medifixed, introrse, dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary with 3 carpels and 3 loculi; ovules few to many in each loculus, anatropous, usually on axile placentae. Style simple, filiform. Stigma punctiform, capitate or 3-lobed. Fruit mostly a capsule, sometimes a berry. Seeds 1 to many, with fleshy endosperm and a small, straight embryo. (FOC-Vol XIV – Pg. 15)