Xerophyllum
(from xeros, dry, and phyllon, a leaf; alluding to the dry, Grass-like leaves). ORD Liliaceae. According to Baker, a monotypic genus. The species is a handsome, hardy, perennial, sub-aquatic herb. It succeeds in a peat border, and will, if treated with care, ripen seeds, by which means, and by division of the roots, the plant may be propagated. X. asphodeloides (Asphodel-like).* Turkey's Beard. fl., perianth whitish, six-parted, 1/4in. long, the segments spreading, many-nerved at back; stamens six, hypogynous, rather shorter than the perianth; pedicels ascending, solitary, not jointed, 1in. to 1 1/2in. long; raceme dense, 4in. to 6in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad. May. l. radical, in a very dense rosette, subulate, persistent, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, one line broad, reclined, rough on the margins, remarkably dry and rigid. Stem 1ft. to 2ft. high, its leaves reduced to bristle-like bracts. Rhizome thick. North America, 1765. (G. C. n. s., xiii., p. 433.) SYNS. X. setifolium (B. R. 1613), Helonias asphodeloides (B. M. 748).
X. a. tenax (tenacious). fl. rather larger; stamens equalling or exceeding the perianth. l. 1/8in. to 1/6in. broad. 1811.
X. setifolium (bristle-leaved). A synonym of X. asphodeloides.