Streptanthus
(from streptos, twisted, and anthos, a flower; alluding to the twisted claws of the petals in some species). ORD. Cruciferae. ORD. Cruciferae. A genus comprising, according to Asa Gray, about thirteen species of hardy glabrous, annual or perennial herbs, natives of mostly Western North America. Flowers purple, rarely white or yellow, ebracteate, rarely bracteate, sometimes pendulous; two or all of the sepals saccate at base, often coloured, sometimes very broad; petals unguiculate, the claw straight or twisted. Leaves entire, or the lower ones lyrate-pinnatifid; cauline ones sessile or amplexicaul. Two species have been introduced; both are annuals. Seeds should be sown in the open border, late in spring; or the seedlings may be reared on a gentle hotbed, and afterwards planted out.
S. hyacinthoides (Hyacinth-like). fl. deep bluish-purple; sepals lanceolate, acuminate; petals spathulate linear, the limb reflexed. September. l. sessile, narrow below, but clasping, oblong-linear, acuminate. Stem simple or branching, 2ft. to 3ft. high. 1834. (B. M. 3516.) S. maculatus (spotted).* fl. very showy, in simple or panicled racemes; calyx purplish; petals deep velvety-purple in the middle, lighter towards the crenulate edge; pedicels 3in. to 4in. long, spreading. August. l. ovate-oblong, 3in. to 6in. long, glaucous, rather acute; cauline ones clasping by long and obtuse lobes. Stem 1 1/2ft. or more high. 1833. (B. M. 3317, under name of S. obtusifolium.)