212 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



CoNVALLARiA. L. 6. 1. Lily of the Valley. Solomon's Seal. 



Named from the common place of growth, from the Latin for 

 valley. This genus has been divided into Smilacina, Desf., from 

 its resemblance to Smilax, and Polygonatum, Desf., from the 

 numerous joints or articulations of the stem ; but we describe all 

 the species under Convallaria, 7 of which belong to this State, 

 and which comprise half of the genus. They have a general re- 

 semblance, but differ greatly in size. Flower 4 - 6-parted, and 

 stamens 4 - 6 ; berry 2 or 3-celled. 



C. hifolia. L. Dwarf Solomon's Seal. With a stem 4-6 

 — 8 inches high, and commonly 2, often 3 sessile leaves, and 

 terminating in a cluster of small, white, 4-parted flowers, with 4 

 stamens ; spreads over the woods on hills and valleys, in May ; 

 berry 2-celled. 



C. trifolia. L. Three-leafed Solomon's Seal. Scarcely 

 larger than the preceding, with 3 sessile leaves, and white, 6-parted 

 flowers, and with 6 stamens, distinguishing them from the preced- 

 ing ; is far more rare in the woods, but not less beautiful ; June. 



C. racemosa. L. Clustered Solomon's Seal. With a flexu- 

 ous stem, 12—18 inches high, and alternate leaves, sessile and 

 oblong-oval, nerved and pubescent ; has very small greenish-white 

 flowers in a clustered panicle or raceme ; woods ; June. 



C stellata. L. Star-form Solomon's Seal. Has a stem a 

 foot high, smooth, articulated, with oval-lanceolate and clasping 

 leaves; flowers white, terminal, 3 — 8, in a beautiful raceme; 

 banks of rivers ; June. 



C. multiflora. L. Common or Giant Solomon's Seal. 

 Stem round, 2-6 feet high, with alternate and clasping, oblong- 

 oval leaves, and flowers growing in the axils of the leaves, and 

 sometimes the foot-stalks many-flowered ; root horizontal, fleshy, 

 and often looking as if the ends had been bitten by worms ; in 

 some request as a mild, secernent stimulant ; flowers bell-form, 



