Eucharis Bakeriana

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EUCHARIS Bakeriana; bulbis ovoideis, foliis 8-12-pollicaribus ellipticis v. elliptico-lanceolatis acutis multistriatis saturate viridibus in petiolum crassum elongatum basi angustatis, scapo subcompresso glauco, unmbella 4-6 flora, spathis 2, 1-2 pollicaribus elongato-lanceolatis, pedicellis ½-2 pollicaribus, perianthii tubo 1½-pollicari albo medio decurvo cylindraceo superne infundibulari, limbo 2½ poll. diamet. segmentis ovatis obtusis v. subacutis recurvis albis, interioribus paullo majoribus, staminum coronæ lobis rotundatis retusis albis medio pallide stramineis, filanentis subulatis, antheris linearibus, ovario depresso trilobo basi et apice intruso viridi, loculis pauci-ovulatis. E. Bakeriana, N. E. Br. in Gard. Chron. 1890, vol. i. p. 416, fig. 61.

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Eucharis grandiflora, figured at Plate 4971 (better known as E. amazonica), and E. candida, Planch, were for many years the only recorded species of the genus. Seven are now known, all natives of the Andes of Columbia, and all having the same characters of habit and foliage. I am indebted to Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S., for the following resumé of them. Of these seven, E. subedentata, Benth. (Caliphruria edentata, Baker in Bot. Mag. t. 6289) may be recognized at a glance by its small flowers. E. Sanderii, Baker (in Bot. Mag. t. 6676) differs from all of the other fine large-flowered species in the staminal cup being almost wholly adnate to the tube of the perianth. E. Lehmanni, Regel (in Gartenfl. t. 1300, f. 1) has two very large teeth on either side of the free part of the filament. E. Mastersii, Baker (in Bot. Mag. t. 6831) has only a very narrow free staminal tube; it may be a hybrid between grandiflora and Sanderii. P. candida, Planch. (in Flora des Serres, t. 788) has much smaller flowers than E. grandiflora or Bakeriana, together with nearly free filaments, that are quadrate at the base. E. grandiflora, Planch. (in Bot. Mag. t. 4971 E. amazonica, Hort. Lind.), the best known species, has large flowers and a broad staminal tube, with the lobes connate nearly throughout. Lastly E. Bakeriana has, NOVEMBER 1ST, 1890.

speaking broadly, the perianth of grandiflora and the stamen of candida. The specimen of E. Bakeriana here figured was sent to Kew in January and again in May of this year, in full flower, by Messrs. F. Sander and Co., of St. Albans, by whom it was introduced into cultivation. DESCR. Bulb ovoid, sheathed with brown scales. Leaves four to five, stoutly petioled ; blade ten to eighteen inches long by three to six inches broad, elliptic, subacute or acuminate, narrowed into a petiole, closely striate by many obscure nerves, very dark green; petiole about as long as the blade. Scape ten to eighteen inches high, as thick as a swan's quill, slightly compressed, smooth, green ; spathes two, narrowly lanceolate from a broad base, two to three inches long; umbels four- to six-flowered; pedicels one half to two inches, stout, green. Flowers two and a half inches in diameter, pure white; tube of perianth one and a half inches long, slender, decurved from below the middle, funnel-shaped at the base of the six spreading ovate or oblong subacute or obtuse segments; the inner segments rather the longer and more elliptic. Staminal crown free to the base of the segments; of six filaments with rounded or retuse coherent bases, and suddenly contracted into subulate upper halves; anthers linear. Ovary depressed, intruded at the base and top, deeply three-lobed, three- celled ; style slender, stigma shortly 3-lobed; ovules few in each cell. - J. D. H.

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Figs. 1 and 2, stamens; 3, style and stigma; 4, transverse section of ovary : - all enlarged.