MAD-FLOWER: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the triandra class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 6th order, Enfatae. The essential characters are these: The calyx is tubular, irregular, and bent back; and the capsule is beneath the flower.

Species. 1. The ringens, whose flower-flips spread afurther. This hath red, round, bulbous roots, from which arise several rough furrowed leaves, near a foot long, and half an inch broad: between these comes out the flower-flask immediately from the root, which rises two feet high, is hairy, and hath several red flowers coming out on each side. These appear in June, and the seeds ripen in September. 2. The spicata, with narrow furrowed leaves, is in shape and size like the vernal crocus, but the outer skin is thin and white; from this arise five or six long narrow leaves, which are deeply furrowed. Between these arise the flower-flips, which is a foot and an half high, bending on one side towards the top, where the flowers come out on one side, standing erect. They are of a white colour, appear in May, and the seeds ripen in August. Both these species are natives of Africa, from whence their seeds were first obtained, and raised in the Dutch gardens.

Culture. The antholyza may be propagated by offsets, which it sends off in pretty great plenty; or by seeds, which are sometimes perfected in Europe. These should be sown soon after they are ripe, in pots of light earth; which, if plunged in old beds of tan which has lost its heat, and shaded in the middle of the day in hot weather, they will come up the following winter: therefore they must be kept covered with glasses to screen them from cold, otherwise the young plants will be destroyed. They may remain in the pots two years, if the plants are not too close, when they will have acquired strength enough to bear transplanting; the proper time for which is in July and August, when their leaves are decayed. In summer the pots may be placed in the open air, but in winter they must be placed under a hot-bed frame; or in the green-house, where they are a great ornament when in flower.