Griffinia
(named in honour of William Griffin, a patron of botany). ORD. Amaryllideae. A genus comprising seven or eight species of very ornamental cool stove bulbous plants, all natives of Brazil. Upper segments of the perianth distinctly broader than the others, and directed upwards; two of the remaining three spread out at right angles, and the third directed downwards. Leaves broad, usually stalked, and peculiarly netted. Griffinias thrive in well-drained fibrous loam. After growth is completed, water should be withheld for a time, in order to thoroughly ripen the bulbs. All the species, unless forced, flower in spring and summer. G. Blumenavia (Blumenave's). fl. white, streaked with pale rose; umbel six to eight-flowered; scape erect, 6in. to 8in. high. l. oblong-lanceolate, 4in. to 5in. in length, on slender petioles. Bulb medium-sized. 1866. (B. M. 5666.) G. dryades (mountain-wood).* fl. purplish-lilac, whitish towards the centre, about 4in. in diameter; umbel large, loose, ten to thirteen-flowered; scape stout, 1 1/2ft. high. l. large, oblong-lanceolate, 1ft. long. Bulb large. 1868. (B. M. 5786.) G. hyacinthina (hyacinthine-blue).* fl., upper segments blue at the top, white towards the base, about 3in. across; umbel nine to ten-flowered; scape rather longer than the leaves. l. stalked, ovate-oblong, 6in. to 8in. long, with a remarkable lattice-like venation. Bulbs ovate, moderate sized. 1815. (G. C. 1874, ii. 14.) G. h. maxima (largest). fl. white, tipped with rich blue, nearly 5in. across; umbel close, ten to twelve-flowered. l. broadly ovate-oblong. G. ornata (adorned).* fl. delicate bluish-lilac, fading off to nearly white, long-stalked; umbel twenty to twenty-four-flowered, and forming a spreading head of some 8in. or 9in. across; scape 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. high, compressed, with an acute ridge on each side. l. elliptic-oblong; margins much recurved. 1876. (B. M. 6367.)