Solenomelus
(from solen, a tube, and melos, a limb; in allusion to the tubular perianth). SYNS. Cruikshankia, Lechlera. ORD. Irideae. A small genus (two species) of half-hardy, rhizomatous plants, natives of Chili. Flowers many in a spathe, shortly pedicellate; perianth yellow, with a slender tube and spreading lobes; stamens affixed to the throat; spathe terminal, or a few on long peduncles. Leaves radical or clustered at the base of the stem, linear, and a few at the sides of the stem. Stems sometimes slightly thickened at base. For culture of S. chilensis, the only species introduced, see Sisyrinchium.
S. chilensis (Chilian). fl., perianth deep yellow, the segments obovate, spreading, a little concave in their lower half, and there narrow, with a small, dark purple spot at the very base; spathe four or five-flowered; peduncles solitary or two to four. June. l., radical ones 6in. to 8in. long; cauline ones remote, gradually shorter upwards, linear-ensiform, sheathing at base. Stems 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. high, zigzag, leafy. 1868. SYNS. Sisyrinchium longistylum (F. d. S. 255), S. pedunculatum (B. M. 2965).