View source for Narthecium

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Narthecium (the name may be derived from Narthex, the Greek name of Ferula, the stems of which were used as rods; or by others explained as an anagram of Anthericum). Liliaceae. Bog-Asphodel. Perennial rhizomatous herbs.

Flowers yellowish green, the solitary pedicels subtended by a narrow bract, and bearing a small linear bractlet; perianth-segms. linear-lanceolate, obscurely 3-nerved, reflexed or spreading in fl., soon erect, persistent ; stamens 6, included; filaments subulate, woolly; anthers linear-oblong; style none; the slightly lobed stigma sessile upon the attenuated apex of the ovary: caps, narrowly oblong, membranous, prolonged upward, splitting into 3 valves; seeds long with a straight tail at each end: lvs. 3-8 in. long, often less than 1/6 in. broad; grass-like and vertical: sts. 1-2 ft. tall.—About 6 species, natives of northern hemisphere, Eu., E. Asia, Atlantic states, Calif.

The genus is close to Tofieldia in having a persistent perianth, simple racemes, and grass-like lvs.; resembles Simethis in the bearded filaments and simple style. The perianth is firmer than in most liliaceous plants and shows an approach to Juncaceae, with which many botanists associate it. Some botanists call this genus Abama and assign it to the family Melanthaceae.
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