Rigidella
(a diminutive of rigidus, rigid; in allusion to the erect seed-bearing stalks). Stiff Stalk. ORD. Irideae. Of this genus three species have been described; they are very ornamental, greenhouse plants, with truncated bulbs, natives of Mexico and Central America. Flowers several in a spathe, sometimes numerous, long-pedicellate; perianth cup-shaped at base, three-parted, spreading or reflexed, having no tube; stamens three; filaments connate into a cylindrical tube; spathes long, membranous, terminating the two or three long peduncles in the axils of the floral leaves. Capsule exserted. Radical leaves few, long, sometimes broad, plicate-veined, contracted into a long petiole; floral ones long-acuminate. For culture, see Tigridia. R. flammea (flame-coloured). fl. bright flame-coloured, strongly marked at the base of the reflexed limb with deep purple stripes, drooping, in a dense umbel from within a two-valved spathe; tube campanulate. May. l. broad, equitant, strongly plaited, dilated at the base, where they sheath the stem. h. 3ft. to 5ft. Mexico, 1839. (B. R. 1840, 16; P. M. B. vii. 247.) R. immaculata (unspotted). fl., sepals scarlet, acute, 1 3/8in. long, with a paler claw; petals yellow, cordate, acuminate. June. h. 2ft. Guatemala, 1839. This differs from R. flammea mainly in having smaller, unspotted flowers, and narrower leaves; the plant, also, is more slender. (B. R. 1841, 68; F. d. S. 502.) R. orthantha (upright-flowered). fl. terminal, fasciculate, nodding; perianth deep vivid scarlet, with a triangular, black spot at the base of each segment, somewhat concave, divided at the base; anthers dark brown; stigmas deep pink. October. l. lanceolate, plaited, sheathing. h. 1 1/2ft Mexico, 1846. (P. M. B. xiv. 121.)