Chamelum
(from chamelos, low, humble; in allusion to the habit of the plant). ORD. Irideae. A small genus (two species) of half-hardy, perennial herbs, natives of Chili. Flowers two or more in a spathe, very shortly pedicellate; perianth yellow, the tube slenderly funnel-shaped, the lobes sub-equal, erecto-patent; stamens affixed to the throat, the filaments connate in a cylindrical tube; spathes terminal, solitary or numerously aggregate. Leaves few, linear, rather broad or sub-terete. C. luteum is known to cultivation. It thrives in well-drained, sandy loam, and may be propagated by division of the rootstock. In many parts of England it would probably prove hardy. C. Iuteum (yellow). fl., perianth 2in. long, highly glabrous, the limb segments lanceolate-linear; spathes two or three, erect, 1 1/3in. long, glabrous, striated and pubescent at apex, sharply mucronate; scape terete, eight lines long, two-flowered. l. linear-filiform, erect, recurved, 2 1/2in. long, scarcely half a line broad, shortly whitish-pubescent. 1884. (R. G. 1129, f. 6-9.)