Tricyrtis
(from treis, three, and kyrtos, convex; alluding to the three outer perianth segments having bags at their base). SYNS. Compsanthus, Compsoa. ORD. Liliaceae. A small genus (five species) of half-hardy perennials, with shortly-creeping rhizomes, natives of the Himalayas, Japan, and China. Flowers few, rather large, on longish pedicels; perianth often elegantly spotted within, campanulate; segments distinct from the base, lanceolate, the outer ones saccate at base, the inner ones flat, all spreading above; stamens six, hypogynous; inflorescence terminal or in the upper axils, loosely dichotomous, erect. Leaves alternate, ovate or oblong, contracted, sub-sessile, or cordate-amplexicaul at base. Stem erect, simple below the inflorescence, leafy. The three species introduced are ornamental plants. They thrive in a compost of sandy loam and peat, and require the shelter of a greenhouse or cold pit in winter. Propagation may be effected by offsets. T. elegans (elegant). A synonym of T. pilosa.
T. hirta (hairy).* Japanese Toad Lily. fl. six to fifteen, racemose or sub-corymbose; perianth nearly 1in. long, the segments white, the outer ones decorated with large, purple dots. May. l. oblong, cuspidate, cordate-amplexicaul, 4in. to 6in. long, slenderly pilose, Stem 1ft. to 3ft. high, clothed with soft, white, slightly spreading pili. Japan, 1863. (B. M. 5355.) T. macropoda (large-footed).* fl. on pedicels 1/2in. to 3/4in. long, disposed in a loose corymb; perianth whitish-purple, with minute, purple dots, nine to ten lines long. May. l. oblong, acute, 4in. to 5in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, sessile or very shortly petiolate, rounded at base, glabrous above, pubescent beneath. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. high. Japan and China, 1869. (B. M. 6544; R. G. 613.) T. m. striata (striped). A pretty plant, having leaves striped with white. (F. d. S. 1820, under name of T. foliis albo-striatis.) T. pilosa (pilose). fl. many, loosely corymbose; perianth eight to nine lines long, the segments whitish, marked with large, purple spots. May. l. oblong, cuspidate, cordate-amplexicaul, 4in. to 6in. long, slenderly pilose. Stem 2ft. to 4ft. high, pilose. Himalayas, 1851. (B. M. 4955; F. d. S. 1219.) SYN. T. elegans.