Class VI. Order III. 141 



TRIGYNM. 



151. HELONIAS. 



HELONIAS DIOICA. Ph. Unicorn Root. 



Scape leafy ; raceme spiked, nodding ; pedicels 

 short, scarcely bracted ; filaments longer than the 

 corolla ; petals linear ; leaves oblong-lanceolate. 



Syn. VERATRUM LUTEUM. Willd. 



In various parts of Connecticut. July. Perennhil. 



152. MEDEOLA. 



MEDEOLA VIRGINICA. L. Cucumber Root. 



Leaves in whorls. 



Syn. GrROMiA VIRGIXICA. Nutt. 



Few plants exceed this in geometrical regularity of structure 

 -and appearance. The stem is erect, smooth, and commonly in- 

 vested with loose tufts of cotton-like down. Tha leaves are in 

 two whorls, the lowermost a few inches from the top, consisting 

 of about seven or eight broad lanceolate leaves, the uppermost 

 of three, and rarely four ovate ones. The flowers are terminal, 

 and bend down through the insterstices of the upper leaves. 

 Petals lanceolate, greenish white, revolute. Stamens erect, 

 slender. Germ single oval, stigmas three, rarely four, reflexed, 

 twice as long as the stamens, of a reddish colour as well as the 

 stamens. Berry three celled, many seeded. The root is tube- 

 rous, with a flavour resembling the cucumber. In' low woods 

 and swamps. June, July. Perennial. 



153. TRILLIUM. 



TRILLIUM CERNUUM. L. Nodding Trillium. 



Flower on a footstalk, drooping. Willd. 



This is the only species I have observed in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of Boston. Leaves three, large, roundish, or 

 rhomboid, pointed. Flower terminal, from the bosom of the 

 leaves, bending down so as to be sheltered beneath them. Calyx 

 leaves three. Petals three, alternate with the calyx leaves, 

 nearly white, reflexed. Stigmas three, recurved. In shady 

 Ihickets, May, June. Perennial. 



