a 
MELANTHACEJE FROM THE GENETIC STANDPOINT. 161 
Leimanthium virginicum, Willd. Sp. Pl. ii. (1799) p. 266; A. Gray, in Ann. Lyc. N.Y. 
iv. (1837) 115, partim. 
Helonias virginica, Sims, Bot. Mag. (1806) t. 985. 
Veratrum virginicum, Ait. Hort. Kew. ed. 2, v. (1813) p. 426. 
Zigadenus virginicus, Kunth, Enum. Pl. iv. (1843) 195 partim. 
In meadows and swamps, Rhode Island to Minnesota, and south to Florida 
and Texas. 
2. MELANTHIUM HYBRIDUM, Walt. Fl. Carol. (1788) 125; Pursh, Fl. Am. 
Sept. i. (1814) 241 ; Ell. Sketch, i. (1821) 418. 
M. racemosum, Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. ii. (1803) 251. 
M. latifolium, Desrouss. in Lam. Encyc. iv. (1797) 25. 
Leimanthium hybridum, Schult. Syst. Veg. vii. (1830) 1550; A. Gray, in Ann, Lyc. N.Y. 
iv. (1837) 115. 
Zigadenus hybridus, Kunth, Enum, Pl. iv. (1843) 196. 
In dry woods and on hills, Connecticut to Pennsylvania, and South 
Carolina. 
3. MEgLANTHIUM MONOICUM, Walt. Fl. Carol. (1788) 125; Pursh, Fl. Am. 
Sept. i. (1814) 241 ; Ell. Sketch, i. (1821) 418. 
M. polygamum, Desrouss, in Lam. Encyc. iv. (1797) 95. 
M. dispersum, Small, in Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, xxv. (1898) 606. 
Leimanthium monoicum, Schult. Syst. Veg. vii. (1830) 1550; A. Gray, in Ann. Lyc. N.Y. 
iv. (1837) 116 partim. 
In woods. This species appears to be quite restricted in distribution. 
Small described his M. dispersum from Walton Co., in the north of Florida, 
and the following specimen is in Herb. Missouri Bot. Gard.: Sphagnous 
bog about 2 miles east of Folkston, Charlton Co., Georgia, 1506, Roland M. 
Harper, Aug. 12, 1902. Pursh gives as the distribution, “ on the mountains 
of Virginia and Carolina." 
This genus of three species is confined for the most part to south-eastern 
North America, though M. virginicum extends farther north and west. 
M. monoicum occurs on the borders of Florida and Georgia, and probably 
also in Virginia and Carolina. The main specific differences are as follows :— 
M. virginicum. M. hybridum. 
Leaves linear, acuminate, 4’—12” wide. Leaves oblanceolate, acute, 6’-2' wide. 
Flowers 6"-10" broad, greenish yellow. Flowers 6"-8" broad, greenish white. 
Perianth-segments oblong, obtuse, flat, Perianth-segments orbicular or ovate, 
entire, blade at least twice as long as undulate or crisped, blade longer than 
the claw *. the narrow claw. 
M. monoicum, Walt., differs from M. virginicum in having (1) longer and 
narrower leaves, (2) a very broad instead of a narrow paniele, (3) fewer 
flowers on stouter pedicels, (4) perianth-segments thicker and with shorter 
claws. The stamens are attached near the top of the claw. 
* The perianth-segments are also usually more pubescent on the outside, 
pom Pm ES 
