12. H. ciliàris, R. Br. (Yellow Fringed-Orchis.) Stem 1½–2° high; leaves oblong or lanceolate; the upper passing into pointed bracts, which are shorter than the ovaries; spike oblong, rather closely many-flowered; flowers bright orange-yellow; lateral sepal rounded, reflexed; petals linear, cut-fringed at the apex; lip oblong (6´´ long), about half the length of the spur furnished with a very long and copious capillary fringe.—Wet sandy places, N. Eng. to Fla. and Tex., west to Mich. and Ind. Our most handsome species.

13. H. blephariglóttis, Torr. (White Fringed-Orchis.) Stem 1° high; leaves, etc., as in the last; flowers white, rather smaller; petals spatulate, usually slightly cut or toothed at the apex; lip ovate- or lanceolate-oblong, with the irregular capillary fringe of the margins usually shorter than its disk, one third the length of the spur.—Peat bogs and borders of ponds, Newf. to N. J., west to Mich. and Minn. July.—Var. holopétala, Torr., has narrower petals with the toothing obsolete, and the lip less fringed.

[+][+] (Greenish Fringed-Orchis.) Lip 3-parted above the stalk-like base, the divisions cut into capillary fringes; flowers greenish- or yellowish-white; anther-cells not very divergent, the beaked bases projecting forward; the large glands oval or lanceolate, nearly facing each other; ovary short-tapering above; spurs long, clavate.

14. H. leucophæ̀a, Gray. Stem 2–4° high; leaves oblong-lanceolate; the bracts similar, rather shorter than the (large, fragrant) flowers; spike commonly elongated, loose; petals obovate, minutely cut-toothed; divisions of the lip (7–10´´ long) broadly wedge-shaped or fan-shaped, many-cleft to the middle into a copious thread-like fringe; spur longer than the ovary (1–1½´ long); glands transversely oval.—Moist meadows, western N. Y. to Ky., Mo., and Minn. July.

15. H. lácera, R. Br. (Ragged Fringed-Orchis.) Leaves oblong or lanceolate; raceme loosely many-flowered; petals oblong-linear, entire; divisions of the lip narrow, deeply parted into a few long nearly capillary lobes; spur about the length of the ovary; glands oblong-linear, as long as the stalk of the pollen-mass.—Bogs and moist thickets, N. Scotia to N. C. and Ga., west to Minn. and Mo.; common. July.

[+][+][+] (Purple Fringed-Orchis.) Lip fan-shaped, 3-parted above the stalk-like base, the divisions erosely fringed; flowers purple; anther-cells widely separated, little divergent, the orbicular glands oblique; ovary contracted only at the summit; the long curving spur somewhat clavate.

17. H. fimbriàta, R. Br. Lower leaves oval or oblong, the upper few, passing into lanceolate bracts; spike or raceme oblong, loosely-flowered; lower sepals ovate, acute; petals oblong, toothed down the sides; divisions of the pendent large lip (¾–1´ broad) fan-shaped, more fringed.—Wet meadows, N. Scotia to N. J. and N. C., west to Mich. June.—Flowers fewer (lilac-purple), 3 or 4 times larger than those of the preceding.

18. H. peramœ̀na, Gray. Lower leaves oblong-ovate, the upper lanceolate; spike oblong or cylindrical, densely flowered; lower sepals round-ovate; petals rounded-obovate, raised on a claw; divisions of the large lip very broadly wedge-shaped, irregularly eroded-toothed at the broadly dilated summit, the lateral ones truncate, the middle one 2-lobed.—Moist meadows and banks, Penn. and N. J. to Ill., and south in the mountains. Aug.—Flowers large and showy (violet-purple); the lip paler and 8–10´´ long, variably toothed, but not fringed.

17. CYPRIPÈDIUM, L. Lady's Slipper. Moccason-flower.

Sepals spreading; all three distinct, or in most cases two of them united into one under the lip. Petals spreading, resembling the sepals but usually narrower. Lip a large inflated sac. Column declined; on each side a fertile stamen, with its short filament bearing a 2-celled anther; the pollen loose and pulpy or powdery-granular; on the upper side a dilated-triangular, petal-like but thickish body, which answers to the fertile stamen of other Orchids, and covers the summit of the style; stigma terminal, broad, obscurely 3-lobed, moist and roughish (not smooth and viscid as in the rest of the order). Pollen in most of our species, especially in n. 6, exposed by the conversion of the face of the anther into a viscid, varnish-like film, which adheres to whatever touches it, carrying away some of the pollen.—Root of many tufted fibres. Leaves large, many-nerved and plaited, sheathing at the base. Flowers solitary or few, large and showy. (Name composed of Κύπρις, Venus, and πόδιον, a sock or buskin, i.e. Venus's Slipper.)

§ 1. The three sepals separate; stem leafy; flower solitary, drooping.

1. C. arietìnum, R. Br. (Ram's-head L.) Stem slender (6–10´ high); upper sepal ovate-lanceolate, pointed; the 2 lower and the petals linear and nearly alike (greenish-brown), rather longer than the red and whitish veiny lip (6´´ long), which is somewhat pubescent, especially within, and prolonged at the apex into a short blunt conical point; leaves 3 or 4, elliptical-lanceolate, nearly smooth.—Cold swamps and damp woods, Maine to N. Y., Mich. and Minn., and northward.

§ 2. Two of the sepals united into one under the lip.

[*] Stem leafy to the top, 1–3-flowered; lip slipper-shaped or roundish, much inflated, horizontal, and with a rounded open orifice.

[+] Sepals and linear wavy-twisted petals brownish, pointed, longer than the lip.

3. C. parviflòrum, Salisb. (Smaller Yellow L.) Stem 1–2° high leaves oval, pointed; sepals ovate or ovate-lanceolate; lip flattish from above, bright yellow (1´ long or less); sterile stamen triangular.—Bogs and low woods, Newf. to Ga., west to Minn. and E. Kan. May, June.—Flowers fragrant; sepals and petals more brown-purple than in the next, into which it seems to pass.

4. C. pubéscens, Willd. (Larger Yellow L.) Stem 2° high, pubescent, as are the broadly oval acute leaves; sepals elongated-lanceolate; lip flattened laterally, very convex and gibbous above, 1½–2´ long, pale yellow.—Bogs and low woods; same range as the last.

[+][+] Sepals and petals plane, rounded, white, not longer than the lip.

5. C. spectábile, Swartz. (Showy L.) Downy, 2° high; leaves ovate, pointed; sepals round-ovate or orbicular, rather longer than the oblong petals; lip much inflated, white, pink-purple in front (1½´ long); sterile stamen heart-ovate.—Peat-bogs, Maine and W. New Eng. to Minn. and Mo., and south in the mountains to N. C. July.—The most beautiful of the genus.

[*][*] Scape naked, 2-leaved at base, 1-flowered; sepals and petals greenish, shorter than the drooping lip, which has a closed fissure down its whole length in front.

6. C. acaùle, Ait. (Stemless L.) Downy; leaves oblong; scape 8–12´ high, with a green bract at top; sepals oblong-lanceolate, pointed, nearly as long as the linear petals; lip obovoid or oblong, rose-purple (rarely white), nearly 2´ long, veiny; sterile stamen rhomboid.—Dry or moist woods; Newf. to N. C., west to N. Ind., Mich., and Minn. May, June.

Order 111. BROMELIÀCEÆ. (Pine-apple Family.)

Herbs (or scarcely woody plants, nearly all tropical), the greater part epiphytes, with persistent dry or fleshy and channelled crowded leaves, sheathing at the base, usually covered with scurf; 6-androus; the 6-cleft perianth adherent to the ovary in the Pine-apple, etc., or free from it in

1. TILLÁNDSIA, L. Long Moss.

Perianth plainly double, 6-parted; the 3 outer divisions (sepals) membranaceous; the 3 inner (petals) colored; all connivent below into a tube, spreading above, lanceolate. Stamens 6, hypogynous! or the alternate ones cohering with the base of the petals; anthers introrse. Ovary free; style thread-shaped; stigmas 3. Capsule cartilaginous, 3-celled, loculicidally 3-valved; the valves splitting into an inner and an outer layer. Seeds several or many in each cell, anatropous, club-shaped, pointed, raised on a long hairy-tufted stalk, like a coma. Embryo small, at the base of copious albumen.—Scurfy-leaved epiphytes. (Named for Prof. Tillands of Abo.)

1. T. usneoìdes, L. (Common Long Moss or Black Moss.) Stems thread-shaped, branching, pendulous; leaves thread-shaped; peduncle short, 1-flowered; flower yellow.—East Shore, Va., south to Fla., and westward; growing on the branches of trees, forming long hanging tufts.

Herbs, with fibrous roots, usually equitant leaves, and perfect 3–6-androus regular flowers, which are woolly or scurfy outside; the tube of the 6-lobed perianth coherent with the whole surface, or with merely the lower part, of the 3-celled ovary.—Anthers introrse. Style single, sometimes 3-partible; the 3 stigmas alternate with the cells of the ovary. Capsule crowned or enclosed by the persistent perianth, 3-celled, loculicidal, 3–many-seeded. Embryo small, in hard or fleshy albumen. A small family; chiefly of the southern hemisphere.

[*] Ovary wholly adherent to the calyx-tube; style filiform; seeds peltate, amphitropous.

1. Lachnanthes. Stamens 3, exserted; anthers versatile. Leaves equitant.

[*][*] Ovary free except at the base; style 3-partible; seeds anatropous.

2. Lophiola. Stamens 6, on the base of the woolly 6-cleft perianth. Leaves equitant.

3. Aletris. Stamens 6, in the throat of the warty-roughened and tubular 6-toothed perianth. Leaves flat, spreading.

1. LACHNÁNTHES, L. Red-root.

Perianth woolly outside, 6-parted down to the adherent ovary. Stamens 3, opposite the 3 larger or inner divisions; filaments long, exserted; anthers linear, fixed by the middle. Style thread-like, exserted, declined. Capsule globular. Seeds few on each fleshy placenta, flat and rounded, fixed by the middle.—Herb, with a red fibrous perennial root, equitant sword-shaped leaves, clustered at the base and scattered on the stem, which is hairy at the top and terminated by a dense compound cyme of dingy yellow and loosely woolly flowers (whence the name, from λάχνη, wool, and ἄνθος, blossom).

1. L. tinctòria, Ell.—Sandy swamps, near the coast, S. E. Mass., R. I., and N. J. to Fla. July–Sept.

2. LOPHÌOLA, Ker.

Perianth densely woolly, deeply 6-cleft; the divisions nearly equal, spreading, longer than the 6 stamens, which are inserted at their base. Anthers fixed by the base. Capsule ovate, free from the perianth except at the base, pointed with the awl-shaped style, which finally splits into 3 divisions, one terminating each valve. Seeds numerous, oblong, ribbed, anatropous.—A slender perennial herb, with creeping rootstocks and fibrous roots, linear and nearly smooth equitant leaves; the stem leafless and whitened with soft matted wool toward the summit, as also the crowded or panicled cyme. Perianth dingy yellow inside; the lobes naked only toward the tip, each clothed with a woolly tuft near the base (whence the name, from λοφεῖον, a small crest).

1. L. aùrea, Ker.—Boggy pine-barrens, N. J. to Fla. June–Aug.

3. ÁLETRIS, L. Colic-root. Star-grass.

1. A. farinòsa, L. Flowers oblong-tubular, white; lobes lanceolate-oblong.—Grassy or sandy woods, Mass. to Fla., Ill., and Minn. July, Aug.

2. A. aùrea, Walt. Flowers bell-shaped, yellow (fewer and shorter); lobes short-ovate.—Barrens, N. J. to Fla. July.

Order 113. IRIDÀCEÆ. (Iris Family.)

Herbs, with equitant 2-ranked leaves, and regular or irregular perfect flowers; the divisions of the 6-cleft petal-like perianth convolute in the bud in 2 sets, the tube coherent with the 3-celled ovary, and 3 distinct or monadelphous stamens, alternate with the inner divisions of the perianth, with extrorse anthers.—Flowers from a spathe of 2 or more leaves or bracts, usually showy. Style single, usually 3-cleft; stigmas 3, opposite the cells of the ovary, or 6 by the parting of the style-branches. Capsule 3-celled, loculicidal, many-seeded. Seeds anatropous; embryo straight in fleshy albumen. Rootstocks, tubers, or corms mostly acrid.

[*] Branches of the style (or stigmas) opposite the anthers.

1. Iris. Outer divisions of the perianth recurved, the inner erect; stigmas petal-like.

[*][*] Branches of the style alternate with the anthers. Perianth regular.

2. Nemastylis. Stem from a coated bulb. Filaments united. Style-branches 2-cleft.

3. Belamcanda. Stems from a creeping rhizome. Filaments distinct. Stigmas dilated.

4. Sisyrinchium. Root fibrous. Filaments united. Stigmas thread-like.

1. ÌRIS, Tourn. Flower-de-Luce.

Perianth 6-cleft; the tube more or less prolonged beyond the ovary; the 3 outer divisions spreading or reflexed, the 3 inner smaller, erect. Stamens distinct; the oblong or linear anthers sheltered under the overarching petal-like stigmas (or rather branches of the style, bearing the true stigma in the form of a thin lip or plate under the apex); most of the style connate with the tube of the perianth. Capsule 3–6-angled, coriaceous. Seeds depressed-flattened, usually in 2 rows in each cell.—Perennials, with sword-shaped or grassy leaves, and large showy flowers; ours with creeping and more or less tuberous rootstocks. (Ἶρις, the rainbow, anciently applied to this genus on account of its bright and varied colors.)

[*] Stems leafy and rather tall (1–3° high), from thickened rootstocks, often branching; tube of the perianth shorter than the divisions, which are beardless and crestless, the erect inner ones (petals) much smaller than the outer.

[+] Flowers violet-blue, variegated with green, yellow or white, and purple-veined.

2. I. prismática, Pursh. (Slender Blue Flag.) Stem very slender, terete; leaves narrowly linear (2–3´´ wide); flowers slender-peduncled (1½–2´ long), the tube extremely short; ovary 3-angled, each side 2-grooved; capsule sharply triangular. (I. Virginica, Man.; not L.)—Marshes near the coast, Maine to N. C. June.

I. Caroliniàna, Watson, resembling n. 1, but with longer laxer and greener leaves, and the very large seeds in one row in each cell, probably occurs in S. Va.

(Addendum) 2^a. I. hexágona, Walt. Stems flexuous, often low and slender (1–3° high), leafy; leaves much exceeding the stem, 6–12´´ broad; flowers solitary and sessile in the axils, large, deep blue, variegated with yellow, purple, and white; tube ½´ long; segments about 3´ long, the inner narrow; capsule oblong-cylindric, 6-angled, 2´ long—Prairies, Ky. (Short) to W. Mo. (Bush), and on the coast from S. Car. southward.

[+][+] Flowers copper-colored or dull reddish-brown; petals widely spreading.

3. I. fúlva, Ker. Stem and leaves as n. 1; tube of the perianth cylindrical, as long as the 6-angled ovary; style-branches narrow. (I. cuprea, Pursh.)—Swamps, S. Ill. and Mo. to La. and Ga. May.

[*][*] Stems low (3–6´ high), from tufted and creeping slender (or here and there tuberous-thickened) rootstocks, 1–3-flowered; tube of the perianth long and slender; the violet-blue divisions nearly equal.

4. I. vérna, L. (Dwarf Iris.) Leaves linear, grass-like, rather glaucous; the thread-like tube of the perianth about the length of the divisions, which are oblong-obovate and on slender claws, the outer ones slightly hairy down the orange-yellow base, crestless; capsule obtusely triangular.—Wooded hillsides, Lancaster Co., Penn., to S. C., west to Ky. and Ala. April.—Flowers sometimes white with yellowish centre.

5. I. cristàta, Ait. (Crested Dwarf Iris.) Leaves lanceolate (3–5´ long when grown); those of the spathe ovate-lanceolate, shorter than the thread-like tube of the perianth, which is 2´ long and much longer than the light blue obovate short-clawed divisions, the outer ones crested but beardless; capsule sharply triangular.—In the mountains from Md. to N. C.; Trumbull Co., Ohio (Ingraham); knobs of S. Ind. May.—Flowers fragrant.

6. I. lacústris, Nutt. (Lake Dwarf Iris.) Tube of the perianth rather shorter than the divisions (yellowish, ½–¾´ long), dilated upward, not exceeding the spathe; otherwise as in the last, and too near it.—Gravelly shores of Lakes Huron and Michigan. May.

I. Pseudácorus, L., the Yellow Iris of European marshes, with very long linear leaves and bright yellow beardless flowers, is reported as having become established in Mass. and N. Y.

2. NEMÁSTYLIS, Nutt.

Perianth spreading, the segments similar and nearly equal. Filaments more or less united into a tube. Style short, its slender 2-parted branches alternate with the anthers and exserted between them; stigmas minute, terminal. Capsule oblong or ovate, truncate, dehiscent at the summit. Seeds globose or angled.—Stems terete, from coated bulbs, with few plicate leaves, and few fugacious flowers from 2-bracted spathes. (Name from νῆμα, a thread, and στυλίς, style, for the slender style-branches.)

1. N. geminiflòra, Nutt. Stem 1–2° high; spathes 2-flowered; perianth pale blue-purple, 1–2´ broad, the divisions oblong-obovate; capsule obovate, ½´ long.—E. Kan. to Tex.

Perianth 6-parted almost to the ovary; the divisions widely and equally spreading, all nearly alike, oblong with a narrowed base, naked. Stamens monadelphous only at base; anthers oblong. Style club-shaped, 3-cleft, the narrow divisions tipped with a small dilated stigma. Capsule pear-shaped; the valves at length falling away, leaving the central column covered with the globose black and fleshy-coated seeds, imitating a blackberry (whence the popular name).—Perennial, with rootstocks, foliage, etc., of an Iris; the branching stems (3–4° high) loosely many-flowered; the orange-yellow perianth mottled above with crimson-purple spots. (An East Indian name of the species.)

B. CHINÉNSIS, Adans. (Pardanthus Chinensis, Ker.)—Sparingly escaped from gardens, Md. to S. Ind. and Mo. (Adv. from China, etc.)

4. SISYRÍNCHIUM, L. Blue-eyed Grass.

Perianth 6-parted; the divisions alike, spreading. Stamens monadelphous to the top. Stigmas thread-like. Capsule globular, 3-angled. Seeds globular.—Low slender perennials, with fibrous roots, grassy or lanceolate leaves, mostly branching 2-edged or winged stems, and fugacious umbelled-clustered small flowers from a 2-leaved spathe. (A meaningless name, of Greek origin.)

1. S. angustifòlium, Mill. Scape (4–12´ high) winged or wingless, simple, the spathe solitary and terminal, its outer bract more or less elongated; flowers delicate blue, changing to purplish (rarely white), the divisions of the perianth more or less notched, bristle-pointed and ciliate; mature seeds globose, large (½´´ broad), faintly pitted or nearly smooth. (S. Bermudiana, var. mucronatum, Gray, excl. descr.)—Moist meadows, etc., among grass; common everywhere. June–Aug. (Addendum)—Sisyrinchium angustifolium. What appears to be a form of this species with pale yellow flowers is found near Independence, Mo. (Bush).

2. S. ánceps, Cav. Scape (6–18´ high) usually branching and bearing 2 or more peduncled spathes; seeds more ovate, much smaller, deeply pitted. (S. Bermudiana, var. anceps, Gray, excl. descr.)—Similar localities; common.

Order 114. AMARYLLIDÀCEÆ. (Amaryllis Family.)

Chiefly bulbous and scape-bearing herbs, not scurfy or woolly, with linear flat root-leaves, and regular (or nearly so) and perfect 6-androus flowers, the tube of the corolline 6-parted perianth coherent with the 3-celled ovary; the lobes imbricated in the bud.—Anthers introrse. Style single. Capsule 3-celled, several–many-seeded. Seeds anatropous or nearly so, with a straight embryo in the axis of fleshy albumen.—An order represented in our gardens by the Narcissus, Daffodil, Snowdrop, etc., but with very few indigenous representatives in this country. Bulbs acrid. Differs from Liliaceæ chiefly in the inferior ovary.

[*] Capsule 3-valved, loculicidal; anthers versatile; perianth funnel-shaped; glabrous.

1. Zephyranthes. Flower naked in the throat; the tube short or none. Bulbs coated.

2. Hymenocallis. Flower with a slender tube and narrow recurved lobes; a cup-shaped crown connecting the stamens. Bulbs coated.

3. Agave. Flower equally 6-cleft, persistent, no crown. Fleshy-leaved, not bulbous.

[*][*] Capsule indehiscent; anthers sagittate; villous.

4. Hypoxis. Perianth 6-parted nearly down to the ovary, persistent. Bulb solid.

Perianth funnel-form, from a tubular base; the 6 divisions petal-like and similar, spreading above; the 6 stamens inserted in its naked throat; anthers versatile. Pod membranaceous, 3-lobed.—Leaves and low scape from a coated bulb. Flowers solitary from a scarious simple bract. (From ζέφυρος, a wind and ἄνθος, flower.)

1. Z. Atamásco, Herb. (Atamasco Lily.) Leaves bright green and shining, very narrow, channelled, the margins acute; scape 6–12´ high; peduncle short; spathe 2-cleft at the apex; perianth white and pink, 3´ long; stamens and style declined.—Penn. to Va. and Fla. June. (Addendum) (Amaryllis Atamasco, L.).

2. HYMENOCÁLLIS, Salisb.

Perianth with a long and slender tube, and an equal 6-parted limb; lobes long and narrow, recurved; the throat bearing a tubular or cup-shaped corolla-like delicate crown, which connects the bases of the 6 exserted stamens. Anthers linear, versatile. Capsule thin, 2–3-lobed; seeds usually 2 in each cell, basal, fleshy, often like bulblets.—Scapes and leaves from a coated bulb. Flowers white, fragrant, large and showy, sessile in an umbel-like head or cluster, subtended by 2 or more scarious bracts. (Name composed of ὑμήν, a membrane, and κάλλος, beauty.)

1. H. occidentàlis, Kunth. Leaves strap-shaped, glaucous, 1–1½° long, 9–18´´ broad; scape 3–6-flowered; bracts narrow, 2´ long; perianth-tube about 2½–4´ long, the linear segments scarcely shorter; the crown 12–15´´ long, tubular below, broadly funnel-form above, the margin deltoid and entire, or 2-toothed and erose, between the white filaments, which are twice longer; anthers yellow; style green.—Marshy banks of streams, S. Ill. to N. Ga. and Ala.—Apparently distinct from H. lacera, Salisb. (Pancratium rotatum, Ker.), of the southern coast.

3. AGÀVE, L. American Aloe.

Perianth tubular-funnel-form, persistent, 6-parted; the divisions nearly equal, narrow. Stamens 6; anthers linear, versatile. Capsule coriaceous, many-seeded. Seeds flattened.—Leaves thick and fleshy, often with cartilaginous or spiny teeth, clustered at the base of the many-flowered scape, from a thick fibrous-rooted crown. (Name from ἀγαυή, noble,—not inappropriate as applied to A. Americana, the Century-plant.)

1. A. Virgínica, L. (False Aloe.) Herbaceous; leaves entire or denticulate; scape 3–6° high; flowers scattered in a loose wand-like spike, greenish-yellow, fragrant, the perianth 9–12´´ long, its narrow tube twice longer than the erect lobes.—Dry or rocky banks, Md. and Va. to Fla., west to S. Ind., Mo., and Tex.

4. HYPÓXIS, L. Star-grass.

1. H. erécta, L. Leaves linear, grass-like, longer than the umbellately 1–4-flowered scape; divisions of the perianth hairy and greenish outside, yellow within.—Meadows and open woods, N. Eng. to Fla., west to Minn., E. Kan., and Tex.

Order 115. DIOSCOREÀCEÆ. (Yam Family.)

Plants with twining stems from large tuberous roots or knotted rootstocks, and ribbed and netted-veined petioled leaves, small diœcious 6-androus and regular flowers, with the 6-cleft calyx-like perianth adherent in the fertile plant to the 3-celled ovary. Styles 3, distinct.—Ovules 1 or 2 in each cell, anatropous. Fruit usually a membranaceous 3-angled or winged capsule. Seeds with a minute embryo in hard albumen.

1. DIOSCORÈA, Plumier. Yam.

Flowers very small, in axillary panicles or racemes. Stamens 6, at the base of the divisions of the 6-parted perianth. Capsule 3-celled, 3-winged, loculicidally 3-valved by splitting through the winged angles. Seeds 1 or 2 in each cell, flat, with a membranaceous wing. (Dedicated to the Greek naturalist, Dioscorides.)

1. D. villòsa, L. (Wild Yam-root.) Herbaceous. Stems slender, from knotty and matted rootstocks, twining over bushes; leaves mostly alternate, sometimes nearly opposite or in fours, more or less downy beneath, heart-shaped, conspicuously pointed, 9–11-ribbed; flowers pale greenish-yellow, the sterile in drooping panicles, the fertile in drooping simple racemes; capsules 8–10´´ long.—Thickets, S. New Eng. to Fla., west to Minn., Kan., and Tex.

Order 116. LILIÀCEÆ. (Lily Family.)

Herbs, or rarely woody plants, with regular and symmetrical almost always 6-androus flowers; the perianth not glumaceous, free from the chiefly 3-celled ovary; the stamens one before each of its divisions or lobes (i.e. 6, in one instance 4), with 2-celled anthers; fruit a few–many-seeded pod or berry; the small embryo enclosed in copious albumen. Seeds anatropous or amphitropous (orthotropous in Smilax). Flowers not from a spathe, except in Allium; the outer and inner ranks of the perianth colored alike (or nearly so) and generally similar, except in Trillium.

Suborder I. Smilaceæ. Shrubby or rarely herbaceous, the petiole of the 3–9-nerved netted-veined leaves often tendril-bearing. Flowers (in ours) diœcious, in axillary umbels, small, with regular 6-parted deciduous perianth. Anthers apparently 1-celled. Stigmas 3, sessile. Fruit a 3-celled berry, with 1–2 pendulous orthotropous seeds in each cell. Embryo minute in horny albumen.

1. Smilax. Characters as above.

Series A. Floral bracts scarious. Stamens perigynous on the usually withering-persistent nerved perianth; anthers introrse. Style undivided, mostly persistent. Fruit a loculicidal capsule or a berry. Leaves transversely veined.

[*] Scape from a coated bulb; fruit capsular; leaves linear.

[+] Flowers umbellate; segments 1-nerved; pedicels not jointed.

2. Allium. Perianth 6-parted. Capsule deeply lobed, often crested; cells 1–2-seeded. Very alliaceous.

3. Nothoscordum. Perianth 6-parted. Seeds several in each cell. Not alliaceous.

4. Androstephium. Perianth tubular-funnel form. Filaments in the throat, united into a crown.

[+][+] Flowers racemose, 6-parted, the segments 3–several-nerved.

5. Camassia. Flowers light blue, long racemose. Filaments filiform.

6. Ornithogalum. Flowers greenish white, sub-corymbose. Filaments dilated.

[+][+][+] Flowers densely racemose; perianth urn-shaped, 6-toothed.

7. Muscari. Flowers deep blue, small. Stamens included.

[*][*] Stem or scape not from a bulb, several-flowered; capsule many-seeded.

8. Hemerocallis. Scape from a fleshy-fibrous root. Flowers few, large, yellow, tubular-funnel-form; limb 6-parted. Stamens and long style declined. Seeds globose.

9. Yucca. Stem woody, leafy. Flowers white, campanulate, 6-parted. Stigmas sessile. Seeds flat.

[*][*][*] Leafy stems (scape in n. 10) from running rootstocks; fruit a berry; leaves cordate to lanceolate (except n. 12); flowers white; pedicels jointed.

[+] Perianth gamophyllous, 6-lobed.

10. Convallaria. Leaves sheathing the scape. Flowers racemose; perianth bell-shaped.

11. Polygonatum. Stem leafy. Flowers axillary; perianth cylindrical.

[+][+] Perianth-segments distinct, small, spreading, persistent.

12. Asparagus. Stems branching, the apparent leaves thread-like. Flowers axillary.

13. Smilacina. Stem simple, leafy. Flowers 6-parted, racemose or paniculate.

14. Maianthemum. Stem low, 2-leaved. Flowers 4-merous, racemose.

Series B. Floral bracts none or foliaceous. Stamens hypogynous or at the base of the distinct segments of the deciduous perianth (persistent in n. 23); anthers extrorse or dehiscent laterally. Style undivided, deciduous (stigmas sessile and persistent in n. 23). Fruit a loculicidal capsule or a berry. Veinlets anastomosing (transverse in n. 15, 17–19).

[*] Fruit a berry; stem or scape from a creeping rootstock; leaves broad, alternate or radical; flowers narrowly campanulate.

15. Streptopus. Stem leafy. Flowers axillary, on bent pedicels. Anthers sagittate, acute; filaments deltoid or subulate.

16. Disporum. Stem leafy. Flowers few, in terminal umbels. Anthers oblong, obtuse; filaments slender. Veinlets anastomosing.

17. Clintonia. Flowers umbellate on a scape, few or many.

[*][*] Fruit a capsule.

[+] Stems leafy, from a short or creeping rootstock; flowers few, solitary, pendulous; capsule few-seeded.

18. Uvularia. Stem terete. Leaves perfoliate. Flowers terminal. Capsule truncate, 3-lobed.

19. Oakesia. Stem angled. Leaves sessile. Flowers opposite the leaves. Capsule acutely 3-winged.

20. Erythronium. Scape from a solid bulb, with a pair of leaves. Flower solitary. Seeds angled, obovoid.

21. Lilium. Stem leafy from a scaly bulb. Seeds horizontal, flattened.

[*][*][*] Fruit a berry; stem from a tuber-like rootstock, bearing 1 or 2 whorls of leaves; flowers terminal; stigmas sessile.

22. Medeola. Leaves in 2 whorls. Flowers umbellate. Perianth-segments similar, colored, deciduous.

23. Trillium. Leaves (3) in a terminal whorl. Flower solitary; outer sepals leaf-like, persistent.

Series C. Floral bracts green or greenish (rarely scarious), or none. Stamens at the base of the distinct 1–several-nerved persistent perianth-segments; anthers small, versatile. Styles or sessile stigmas distinct. Capsule mostly septicidal. Seeds with a loose testa or appendaged. Leaves with transverse veinlets (except in n. 24 and 25).

[*] Stems leafy or bracteate, from a thick tuberous rootstock; flowers racemose; anthers 2-celled; stigmas linear.

24. Helonias. Leaves radical, oblanceolate. Flowers perfect. Capsule broadly obovate, many-seeded.

25. Chamælirium. Stem very leafy. Flowers diœcious. Capsule oblong, many-seeded.

26. Xerophyllum. Stem very leafy; leaves very narrow. Flowers perfect. Capsule few-seeded.

[*][*] Stems distichously equitant-leafy, from a creeping rootstock; flowers on bracteolate pedicels, racemose; anthers 2-celled; stigmas small, terminal; seeds often appendaged.

27. Tofieldia. Bractlets 3, verticillate. Styles short. Seeds horizontal.

28. Narthecium. Bractlet linear. Stigma slightly lobed. Seeds ascending.

[*][*][*] Anthers heart- or kidney-shaped, confluently 1-celled and peltate after opening; stigmas terminal; capsule 3-beaked by the persistent styles; seeds angled or flattened and margined.

[+] Stems tall, leafy, from a thick rootstock, pubescent above; flowers polygamous, racemose-paniculate; seeds flat, winged.

29. Melanthium. Sepals free from the ovary, their long claws bearing the filaments.

30. Veratrum. Sepals without claws, slightly adnate to the ovary. Leaves strongly nerved and plicate.

[+][+] Root mostly bulbous; glabrous; flowers racemose or panicled; seeds narrow, angled; leaves linear.

31. Stenanthium. Sepals lanceolate, acuminate, without glands.

32. Zygadenus. Sepals oblong to ovate, glandular toward the base.

33. Amianthium. Flowers in a dense raceme. Sepals ovate-oblong, glandless, free from the ovary. Cells of the capsule widely divergent, 1–2-seeded.

1. SMÌLAX, Tourn. Greenbrier. Cat-brier.

Flowers diœcious in umbels or axillary peduncles, small, greenish or yellowish, regular, the perianth-segments distinct, deciduous. Filaments linear, inserted on the very base, the introrse anthers linear or oblong, fixed by the base, apparently 1-celled. Ovary of fertile flowers 3-celled (1-celled, with single stigma, in n. 11); stigmas thick and spreading, almost sessile; ovules 1 or 2 in each cell, pendulous, orthtropous; fruit a small berry.—Shrubby or rarely herbaceous, usually climbing or supported by a pair of tendrils on the petiole of the ribbed and netted-veined simple leaves. (The ancient Greek name, of obscure meaning.)

1. S. herbàcea, L. (Carrion-Flower.) Stem climbing, 3–15° high; leaves ovate or rounded, mostly heart-shaped or truncate at base, abruptly acute to short-acuminate, 7–9-nerved, smooth; petioles ½–1´ long; peduncles elongated (3–4´ long, or sometimes even 6–8´ and much longer than the leaves), 20–40-flowered; seeds 6.—Moist meadows and river-banks; common, from the Atlantic to Minn., Mo., and Tex. June. Very variable.—Var. puberulénta, Gray, has the leaves more or less soft-downy beneath.

2. S. tamnifòlia, Michx. Stem upright or climbing; leaves mostly 5-nerved, smooth, broadly ovate to lanceolate, truncate or cordate at base, abruptly acute to acuminate, some of them hastate with broad rounded lobes; peduncles longer than the petioles; berry smaller, 2–3-seeded.—Pine-barrens, N. J. to S. C.

3. S. ecirrhàta, Watson. Erect, ½–3° high, without tendrils (or only the uppermost petioles tendril-bearing), glabrous; lower leaves reduced to narrow scale-like bracts, the rest thin, 5–7-nerved, broadly ovate-elliptical to roundish, acute, mostly cordate at base, 2–5´ long, sometimes verticillate, sparsely pubescent beneath; peduncles about equalling the petioles (1–2½´ long), on the lower part of the stem; umbels 10–20-flowered; berry 3-seeded.—Md. to S. C., west to Mich. and Mo. May, June.

§ 2. Stems woody, often prickly; ovules solitary; glabrous throughout.

[*] Leaves ovate or roundish, etc., most of them rounded or heart-shaped at base, and 5–9-nerved, the three middle nerves or ribs stronger and more conspicuous.

[+] Peduncles shorter or scarcely longer than the petioles (2–6´´), flattened; leaves thickish, green both sides.

4. S. Wálteri, Pursh. Stem low, somewhat angled, prickly near the base or unarmed; leaves ovate to ovate-lanceolate or oblong, somewhat heart-shaped or rounded at base (3–4´ long); berries coral-red.—Pine barrens, N. J. to Fla.

5. S. rotundifòlia, L. (Common Greenbrier. Horse-brier.) Stem armed with scattered prickles, as well as the terete branches; branchlets more or less 4-angular; leaves ovate or round-ovate, often broader than long, slightly heart-shaped, abruptly short-pointed (2–3´ long); berries blue-black, with a bloom.—Moist thickets, N. Eng. to Ga., west to Minn. and Tex. Very variable, passing into var. quadrangulàris, Gray, which has branches, and especially branchlets, 4-angular, and is more common west.

[+][+] Peduncle longer than but seldom twice the length of the short petiole, flattened; leaves tardily deciduous or partly persistent; berries black, with a bloom.

6. S. glaùca, Walt. Terete branches and somewhat 4-angular branchlets armed with scattered stout prickles, or naked; leaves ovate, rarely subcordate, glaucous beneath and sometimes also above, as well as the branchlets when young (about 2´ long), abruptly mucronate, the edges smooth and naked.—Dry thickets, E. Mass. to Fla., west to S. Ind., Mo., and Tex.

[+][+][+] Peduncle 2–4 times the length of the petiole; leaves ample (3–5´ long), thin or thinnish, green both sides; berries black; stem terete and branchlets nearly so.

8. S. híspida, Muhl. Rootstock cylindrical, elongated; stem (climbing high) below densely beset with long and weak blackish bristly prickles, the flowering branchlets mostly naked; leaves ovate and the larger heart-shaped, pointed, slightly rough-margined, membranaceous and deciduous; peduncles 1½–2´ long; sepals lanceolate, almost 3´´ long.—Moist thickets, Conn. to Va., west to Minn. and Tex. June.

9. S. Pseùdo-Chìna, L. Rootstock tuberous; stems and branches unarmed, or with very few weak prickles; leaves ovate-heart-shaped, or on the branchlets ovate-oblong, cuspidate-pointed, often rough-ciliate, becoming firm in texture; peduncles flat (2–3´ long).—Dry or sandy soil, N. J. to Fla., west to S. Ind. and Mo. July.

[*][*] Leaves varying from oblong-lanceolate to linear, narrowed at base into a short petiole, 3–5-nerved, shining above, paler or glaucous beneath, many without tendrils; peduncles short, seldom exceeding the petioles, terete; the umbels sometimes panicled; branches terete, unarmed.

10. S. lanceolàta, L. Leaves thinnish, rather deciduous, ovate-lanceolate or lance-oblong; stigmas 3; berries dull red.—Rich woods and margins of swamps, Va. to Fla., west to Ark. and Tex. June.

11. S. laurifòlia, L. Leaves thick and coriaceous, evergreen, varying from oblong-lanceolate to linear (2½–5´ long); stigmas solitary and ovary 1-celled; berries black when ripe, 1-seeded, maturing in the second year.—Pine-barrens, N. J. to Fla., west to Ark. and La. July, Aug.

2. ÁLLIUM, L. Onion. Garlic.

Perianth of 6 entirely colored sepals, which are distinct, or united at the very base, 1-nerved, often becoming dry and scarious and more or less persistent; the 6 filaments awl-shaped or dilated at base. Style persistent, but jointed upon the very short axis of the ovary, thread-like; stigma simple. Capsule lobed, loculicidal, 3-valved, with 1–2 ovoid-kidney-shaped amphitropous or campylotropous black seeds in each cell.—Strong-scented and pungent stemless herbs; the leaves and scape from a coated bulb; flowers in a simple umbel, some of them frequently changed to bulblets; spathe scarious, 1–2-valved. (The ancient Latin name of the Garlic.)

§ 1. Bulbs cespitose, narrowly oblong and crowning a rhizome; coats membranous.

[*] Leaves (2 or 3) elliptic-lanceolate; ovules solitary in each cell.

1. A. tricóccum, Ait. (Wild Leek.) Scape naked (4–12´ high from clustered pointed bulbs, 2´ long), bearing an erect many-flowered umbel; leaves 5–9´ long, 1–2´ wide; sepals oblong (greenish white), equalling the nearly distinct filaments; capsule strongly 3-lobed.—Rich woods, W. N. Eng. to Minn. and Iowa, south in the mountains to N. C. Leaves appearing in early spring and dying before the flowers are developed.

2. A. Schœnóprasum, L. (Chives.) Scape naked or leafy at base (6–12´ high), bearing a globular capitate umbel of many rose-purple flowers; sepals lanceolate, pointed, longer than the simple downwardly dilated filaments; leaves awl-shaped, hollow; capsule not crested.—From N. Brunswick and the Great Lakes to the Pacific. (Eu., Asia.)

3. A. cérnuum, Roth. (Wild Onion.) Scape naked, angular (½–2° high), nodding at the apex, bearing a loose or drooping few–many-flowered umbel; leaves linear, flattened, sharply keeled (1° long); sepals oblong-ovate, acute (rose-color), shorter than the slender filaments and style; capsule 6-crested.—In the Alleghanies to S. C., west to Minn., Mo., Tex., and westward.

§ 2. Bulbs mostly solitary, not rhizomatous; coats often fibrous; leaves narrowly linear, flat or channelled (terete in A. vineale).

4. A. stellàtum, Nutt. Scape terete (6–18´ high), slender, bearing an erect umbel; bulb-coats membranous; sepals broad, acute; stamens and style exserted; capsule prominently 6-crested.—Rocky slopes, Minn. to W. Ill. and Mo., and westward.

5. A. reticulàtum, Fraser. Scape 3–8´ high; bulbs densely and coarsely fibrous-coated; spathe 2-valved; umbel rarely bulbiferous; sepals ovate- to narrowly lanceolate, thin and lax in fruit, a third longer than the stamens; capsule crested.—Sask. to Iowa and N. Mex.

6. A. Nuttállii, Watson. Scape 4–6° high, from a very fibrous-coated bulb; spathe usually 3-valved; sepals usually broader, rather rigid in fruit; capsule not crested.—Central Kan. to Tex., and westward.

7. A. Canadénse, Kalm. (Wild Garlic.) Scape 1° high or more; bulb-coats somewhat fibrous; umbel densely bulbiferous or few-flowered; sepals narrowly lanceolate, obtusish, equalling or exceeding the stamens; capsule not crested.—Moist meadows, N. Eng. to Minn., south to the Gulf. May, June.

A. vineàle, L. (Field Garlic.) Scape slender, clothed with the sheathing bases of the leaves below the middle (1–3° high); leaves terete and hollow, slender, channelled above; umbel often densely bulbiferous; filaments much dilated, the alternate ones cuspidate on each side of the anther.—Moist meadows and fields; a vile weed eastward. June. (Nat. from Eu.)

3. NOTHÓSCORDUM, Kunth.

Flowers greenish or yellowish white. Capsule oblong-obovate, somewhat lobed, obtuse, with the style obscurely jointed on the summit; cells several-ovuled and -seeded. Filaments filiform, distinct, adnate at base. Bulb tunicated, not alliaceous. Otherwise as in Allium. (Name from νόθος, false, and σκόρδιον, garlic.)

1. N. striàtum, Kunth. Scape 1° high or less; bulb small, often bulbiferous at base; leaves narrowly linear; flowers few, on slender pedicels, the segments narrowly oblong, 4–6´´ long; ovules 4–7 in each cell. (Allium striatum, Jacq.)—Prairies and open woods, Va. to Ind., Neb., and southward.

4. ANDROSTÉPHIUM, Torr.

1. A. violàceum, Torr. Scape 2–6´ high; flowers 8–12´´ long or more, usually exceeding the stout pedicels, the tube nearly as long as the limb; crown scarcely shorter than the limb.—Kan. to Tex.

5. CAMÁSSIA, Lindl.

Perianth of 6 colored (blue or purple) spreading sepals, 3–7-nerved, slightly irregular, mostly deciduous; the 6 filiform filaments at their base. Style thread-like, the base persistent. Capsule oblong or obovate, 3-angled, loculicidal, 3-valved, with several black roundish seeds in each cell.—Scape and linear leaves from a coated bulb; the flowers in a simple raceme, mostly bracted, on jointed pedicels. (From the native Indian name quamash or camass.)

1. C. Fràseri, Torr. (Eastern Camass. Wild Hyacinth.) Scape 1° high or more; leaves keeled; raceme elongated; bracts longer than the pedicels; sepals pale blue, 3-nerved, 4–7´´ long; capsule acutely triangular-globose. (Scilla Fraseri, Gray.)—Rich ground, W. Penn. to Minn. and E. Kan., and in the mountains to Ga.

6. ORNITHÓGALUM, Tourn. Star-of-Bethlehem.

Perianth of 6 colored (white) spreading 3–7-nerved sepals. Filaments 6, flattened-awl-shaped. Style 3-sided; stigma 3-angled. Capsule membranous, roundish-angular, with few dark and roundish seeds in each cell, loculicidal.—Scape and linear channelled leaves from a coated bulb. Flowers corymbed, bracted; pedicels not jointed. (An ancient whimsical name from ὄρνις, a bird, and γάλα, milk.)

O. umbellàtum, L. Scape 4–9´ high; flowers 5–8, on long and spreading pedicels; sepals green in the middle on the outside.—Escaped from gardens. (Nat. from Eu.)

O. nùtans, L. Scape 1° high or more; flowers 5 or 6, large (1´ long), nodding on very short pedicels; filaments very broad.—Rarely escaped from gardens; Penn. (Adv. from Eu.)

7. MUSCÀRI, Tourn. Grape-Hyacinth.

Perianth globular or ovoid, minutely 6-toothed (blue). Stamens 6, included; anthers short, introrse. Style short. Capsule loculicidal, with 2 black angular seeds in each cell.—Leaves and scape (in early spring) from a coated bulb; the small flowers in a dense raceme, sometimes musk-scented (whence the name).

M. botryoìdes, Mill. Leaves linear, 3–4´´ broad; flowers globular (1–1½´´ long), deep blue, appearing like minute grapes.—Escaped from gardens into copses and fence-rows. (Adv. from Eu.)

M. racemòsum, Mill. Leaves 1–1½´´ broad; flowers oblong-urceolate, 2–2½´´ long, deep blue, fragrant.—Rare escape, Md. and Penn. (Adv. from Eu.)

8. HEMEROCÁLLIS, L. Day-Lily.

H. fúlva, L. (Common Day-Lily.) Inner divisions (petals) of the tawny orange perianth wavy and obtuse.—Roadsides, escaped from gardens (Adv. from Eu.)

9. YÚCCA, L. Bear-Grass. Spanish Bayonet.

Perianth of 6 petal-like (white or greenish) oval or oblong and acute flat sepals, withering-persistent, the 3 inner broader, longer than the 6 stamens. Stigmas 3, sessile. Capsule oblong, somewhat 6-sided, 3-celled, or imperfectly 6-celled by a partition from the back, fleshy, at length loculicidally 3-valved from the apex. Seeds very many in each cell, flattened.—Stems woody, either very short or rising into thick and columnar palm-like trunks, bearing persistent rigid linear or sword-shaped leaves, and an often ample compound panicle or branched raceme of showy flowers. (The native Haytian name for the root of the Cassava-plant.)

1. Y. angustifòlia, Pursh. Caudex none or very short; leaves straight very stiff and pungent, ½–2° long by 1–6´´ wide, filiferous on the margin; raceme mostly simple, nearly sessile (1–4° long); flowers 1½–2½´ wide; stigmas green, shorter than the ovary; capsule 6-sided (3´ long); seeds 5–6´´ broad.—Dak. to Iowa, Kan., and N. Mex. May, June.

2. Y. filamentòsa, L. (Adam's Needle.) Caudex 1° high or less, from a running rootstock; leaves numerous, coriaceous, more or less tapering to a short point, rough on the back, 1½–2° long by 1–3´ wide, filiferous on the margin; panicle pyramidal, densely flowered, on a stout bracteate scape, 4–9° high; flowers large; stigmas pale, elongated; capsule 1½´ long; seeds 3´´ broad.—Near the coast, Md. to Fla. and La. July. Very variable.

10. CONVALLÀRIA, L. Lily of the Valley.

Perianth bell-shaped (white), 6-lobed, deciduous; the lobes recurved. Stamens 6, included, inserted on the base of the perianth; anthers introrse. Ovary 3-celled, tapering into a stout style; stigma triangular. Ovules 4–6 in each cell. Berry few-seeded (red).—A low perennial herb, glabrous, stemless, with slender running rootstocks, sending up from a scaly-sheathing bud 2 oblong leaves, with their long sheathing petioles enrolled one within the other so as to appear like a stalk, and an angled scape bearing a one-sided raceme of pretty and sweet-scented nodding flowers. (Altered from Lilium convallium, the popular name.)

1. C. majàlis, L.—High mountains of Va. to S. C. Apparently identical with the European Lily of the Valley of the gardens.

11. POLYGONÀTUM, Tourn. Solomon's Seal.

1. P. biflòrum, Ell. (Smaller Solomon's Seal.) Glabrous, except the ovate-oblong or lance-oblong nearly sessile leaves, which are commonly minutely pubescent as well as pale or glaucous underneath; stem slender (1–3° high); peduncles 1–3- but mostly 2-flowered; perianth 4–6´´ long; filaments papillose-roughened, inserted toward the summit of the perianth.—Wooded hillsides, N. Brunswick to Fla., west to Minn., E. Kan., and Tex.

2. P. gigantèum, Dietrich. (Great S.) Glabrous throughout; stem stout and mostly tall (2–7° high), terete; leaves ovate, partly clasping (3–8´ long), or the upper oblong and nearly sessile, many-nerved; peduncles several-(2–8-) flowered, jointed below the flower; flowers 5–9´´ long; filaments smooth and naked, or nearly so, inserted on the middle of the tube.—Meadows and river-banks, N. Eng. to Va., west to the Rocky Mts. June.

12. ASPÁRAGUS, Tourn. Asparagus.

Perianth 6-parted, spreading above; the 6 stamens on its base; anthers introrse. Style short; stigma 3-lobed. Berry spherical, 3-celled; the cells 2-seeded.—Perennials, with much-branched stems from thick and matted rootstocks, and small greenish-yellow axillary flowers on jointed pedicels. The narrow, commonly thread-like, so-called leaves are really branchlets, acting as leaves, clustered in the axils of little scales which are the true leaves. (The ancient Greek name.)

A. officinàlis, L. (Garden Asparagus.) Herbaceous, tall, bushy-branched; leaves thread-like.—A frequent escape from gardens. June. (Adv. from Eu.)

13. SMILACÌNA, Desf. False Solomon's Seal.

Perianth 6-parted, spreading, withering-persistent (white). Stamens 6, inserted at the base of the divisions; filaments slender, anthers short, introrse. Ovary 3-celled, with 2 ovules in each cell; style short and thick, stigma obscurely 3-lobed. Berry globular, 1–2-seeded.—Perennial herbs, with simple stems from creeping or thickish rootstocks, alternate nerved mostly sessile leaves, and white, sometimes fragrant flowers in a terminal and simple or compound raceme. (Name a diminutive of Smilax, to which, however, these plants bear little resemblance.)

[*] Flowers on very short pedicels in a terminal racemose panicle; stamens exceeding the small (1´´ long) segments; ovules collateral; rootstock stout, fleshy.

1. S. racemòsa, Desf. (False Spikenard.) Minutely downy (1–3° high); leaves numerous, oblong or oval-lanceolate, taper-pointed, ciliate, abruptly somewhat petioled; berries pale red, speckled with purple, aromatic.—Moist copses, N. Brunswick to S. C., west to Minn., E. Kan. and Ark.

2. S. stellàta, Desf. Plant (1° high or less) nearly glabrous, or the 7–12 oblong-lanceolate leaves minutely downy beneath when young, slightly clasping; raceme sessile or nearly so; berries blackish.—Moist banks, Lab. to N. J., west to E. Kan., Minn., and westward. (Eu.)

3. S. trifòlia, Desf. Glabrous, dwarf (2–6´ high); leaves 3 (sometimes 2 or 4), oblong, tapering to a sheathing base; raceme peduncled; berries red.—Cold bogs, Lab. to N. Eng., west to Mich. and Min. (Sib.)

14. MAIÁNTHEMUM, Wigg.

Perianth 4-parted, with as many stamens. Ovary 2-celled; stigma 2-lobed. Otherwise as in Smilacina.—Flowers solitary or fascicled, in a simple raceme upon a low 2–3-leaved stem. Leaves ovate- to lanceolate-cordate. (Name from Maius, May, and ἄνθεμον, a flower.)

1. M. Canadénse, Desf. Pubescent or glabrous (3–5´ high); leaves lanceolate to ovate, cordate at base with a very narrow sinus, sessile or very shortly petioled; perianth-segments 1´´ long. (Smilacina bifolia, var. Canadensis, Gray.)—Moist woods, Lab. to N. C., west to Minn. and Iowa. May.

15. STRÉPTOPUS, Michx. Twisted-Stalk.

Perianth recurved-spreading from a bell-shaped base, deciduous; the 6 distinct sepals lanceolate, acute, the 3 inner keeled. Anthers arrow-shaped, extrorse, fixed near the base to the short flattened filaments, tapering above to a slender entire or 2-cleft point. Ovary with many ovules in each cell; style and sometimes the stigmas one. Berry red, roundish-ovoid, many-seeded.—Herbs, with rather stout stems from a creeping rootstock, forking and divergent branches, ovate and taper-pointed rounded-clasping membranaceous leaves, and small (extra-) axillary flowers, either solitary or in pairs, on slender thread-like peduncles, which are abruptly bent or contorted near the middle (whence the name, from στρεπτός, twisted, and ποῦς, foot or stalk).

1. S. amplexifòlius, DC. Stem 2–3° high, glabrous; leaves very smooth, glaucous underneath, strongly clasping; flower greenish-white (4–6´´ long) on a long abruptly bent peduncle; anthers tapering to a slender entire point; stigma entire, truncate.—Cold moist woods, N. Eng. to N. Minn., south to Ohio, Penn., and in the mountains to N. C. June. (Eu.)

2. S. ròseus, Michx. Lower leaves green both sides, finely ciliate, and the branches sparingly beset with short bristly hairs; flower rose-purple (3–4´´ long), more than half the length of the slightly bent peduncle; anthers 2-horned; stigma 3-cleft.—Cold damp woods, N. Eng. to N. Minn., and south in the mountains to Ga. May.

16. DÍSPORUM, Salisb.

1. D. lanuginòsum, Benth. & Hook. Leaves ovate-oblong, taper-pointed, rounded or slightly heart-shaped at base, closely sessile, downy beneath; flowers solitary, [or] in pairs; sepals linear-lanceolate, taper-pointed (½´ long), soon spreading, twice the length of the stamens, greenish; style smooth; stigmas 3. (Prosartes lanuginosa, Don.)—Rich woods, western N. Y. to Va. and Ga., west to Ky. and Tenn. May.

17. CLINTÒNIA, Raf.

Perianth of 6 separate sepals, bell-shaped, lily-like, deciduous; the 6 stamens inserted at their base. Filaments long and thread-like; anthers linear or oblong, extrorsely fixed by a point above the base, the cells opening down the margins. Ovary ovoid-oblong, 2–3-celled; style long; stigmas 2 or 3, or in ours united into one. Berry few–many-seeded.—Short-stemmed perennials, with slender creeping rootstocks, bearing a naked peduncle sheathed at the base by the stalks of 2–4 large oblong or oval ciliate leaves; flowers rather large, umbelled, rarely single. (Dedicated to De Witt Clinton.)

1. C. boreàlis, Raf. Scape and leaves 5–8´ long; umbel 3–6-flowered; perianth greenish-yellow, somewhat downy outside (3–4´´ long); berry ovoid, blue; ovules 20 or more.—Cold moist woods, Lab. to N. C., west to Minn.

2. C. umbellàta, Torr. Flowers half the size of the last, white, speckled with green or purplish dots; umbel many-flowered; berry globular, black; ovules 2 in each cell.—Rich woods, in the Alleghanies from N. Y. to Ga.

18. UVULÀRIA, L. Bellwort.

Perianth narrowly bell-shaped, lily-like, deciduous; the 6 distinct sepals spatulate-lanceolate, acuminate, obtusely gibbous at base, with a deep honey-bearing groove within bordered on each side by a callus-like ridge. Stamens much shorter, barely adherent to their base; anthers linear, much longer than the filaments, adnate and extrorse, but the long narrow cells opening laterally. Style deeply 3-cleft; the divisions stigmatic along the inner side. Capsule truncate, coriaceous, 3-lobed, loculicidal at the summit. Seeds few in each cell, obovoid, with a thin white aril.—Stems rather low, terete, from a short rootstock with fleshy roots, naked or scaly at base, forking above, bearing oblong perfoliate flat and membranaceous leaves with smooth margins, and yellowish drooping flowers, in spring, solitary on terminal peduncles. (Name "from the flowers hanging like the uvula, or palate.")