52 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



lilies" are sometimes called "day lilies." The species most 

 frequentl}- known thus is the "white day lily" {f. grandifiora.) 

 The leaves of these plants are short, broad and heavily veined 

 like those of the common plantain, which probahlv suggests 

 the name of "plantain lily." 



The lily-like flowers of the Brytlironiuins have caused 

 them to be known in some places as "yellow lilies" and "yellow 

 bells." They are far more frequently known as "adder's 

 tongues" a name to which the leaves, spotted like an adder, 

 give significance. To this circumstance also we probably owe 

 such appellations as "snake-root," "rattlesnake violet" and 

 lamb's tongues." "Trout lily," "fawn lily" and trout flow-er" 

 are book names of recent origin invented by sentimentalists 

 who may dislike to associate these handsome flowers with 

 reptiles. A very ancient name for this plant is "dog-tooth 

 violet." This was bestowed upon it at a time when violet 

 might mean any conspicuous flower. The shape of the petals 

 in the European species like a dog's tooth, is said to be 

 responsible for the first part of the name and the same idea 

 is indicated in its specific name, dens amis. Tiie term "yel- 

 low hookers", by which the flowers of Lirythroiiium Anicri- 

 caniun are known in parts of Pennsylvania, appears to be 

 another reference to violets since hooker is a comnK)n term 

 for violets there. Erythroniuiii (dbidiini is known as "spring 

 lily," "deer-tongue," "white adder's-tongue" and "white dog- 

 tooth violet," all of which are intelligible in the light of what 

 has already been said of the yellow species. 



The largest species of TrilUiiui is often known as "w(M)d 

 lily." This is Trillium yraudiflontin, a magnificent flower that 

 often dominated the underwoods just as the trees are putting 

 out their leaves. Although not a lily, the name fits very well. 

 This plant also bears the name of "Trinity lily," all of its parts 



