Hæmodoraceæ

Hæmodoraceæ, an order of monocotyledons, consisting of herbaceous plants with fibrous roots and sword-shaped leaves; differing from Iridaceæ in habit, and in having the stamens six in number, or, if only three, opposite to the petals. There are about fifty known species, chiefly natives of America, South Africa, and Australia. Some of them have beautiful liliaceous flowers. A red colour exists in the roots of some; hence the name Blood-root has been given to them (see SANGUINARIA). In this order are ranked the Vellozias or Tree-lilies.