MELANTHACEai. 400 TRILLIUM, 



Z. glabe'rrimus. Mx. 



Rfiot bulbous ; slern leni'y ; Z^rtccs linear, channeled, recurved ; irof^s ovate, 

 acurninule; srgrnenis of tlic jitritnitli a.cumm;ile. Wet meadows. N. York. 

 Found near Rochester. Eaton. Stem 2 — 13 teet high. Lower h'aves about 

 10 inches lontr ; upper ones gradually diminisliing, all concave and spreading. 

 Panicle terminal, loose, consisting of several greenish white flowers. Sepals 

 ovate-lanceolate, free from the stamens, vvilii the 2 glands at the base of each 

 distinct and conspicuous, June. Zigadene. 



3. VERA'TRUM. 



Flowers monoecious-polygamous ; perianth deeply 6-parted, 

 spreading; stamens G, inserted on the receptacle; ovaries 3, 

 unilcd at base, often abortive; styles short; capsule 3, con- 

 nate, many-seeded. 



Lat. vcre, at.rum, trulj' black ; alluding to the color of the root. Leaves 

 alternate, plicate. Panicle terminal. Segments of the perianth sessile and 

 without glands. 



V. Vl'RIDE. 



Leaves broad-oval, acuminate ; panicle compound, racemose ; hracfs oblong- 

 lanceolate, bracteoles longer than the downy pedicels. A large-leaved, coarse- 

 looking plant, oi our meadows and swamps. Root large, fleshy, with numer- 

 ous lorig fibres. Stem 2 — 4 feet high, striate and pubescent. Leaves strongly 

 nerved and plaited, the lowest near a foot long and half as wide, sheathing at 

 the base. Flowers numerous, green, in many axillary (or bracted) racemes 

 which together form a very large, pyramidal, terminal panicle. July. The 

 root is emetic and stimulant, but poisonous, and should be used wiiii caution. 

 When powdered it causes violent sneezing. Fulie-root. American HctUbore. 



4. IIELO'NIAS. 



Perianlh G-parled, spreading, pelaloid, the segments Fcssile 

 and without glatids; styles 3, distinct; capsule 3-celled, 

 3-horncd; ceils many-seeded. 



Gr. IXos, a marsh, where some species grow. Lvs. mostly radical, narrow, 

 often gramineous, sheathing at base. Fls. in a terminal, simple raceme. 



H. IJIOI'C.X. Ph. Veratrum luteum. Z. 



S;!^;to leafy ; /cr/ccs lanceolate, radical ones oblanceolate ; rfl<;fT«c spiked, 

 nodding, dioecious; pedicels short, without bracts; stamens c:xseried ; segments 

 linear. In low grounds. Root premorse. Stem or scape 12 — 30 inches 

 high, furrowed. Radical leaves 4 — 8 inches long, \ — 1 inch wide, in a sort 

 of whorl at the base of the scajje. Flowers small, very numerous, greenish 

 white, in long, terminal, spicate racemes which are more slender and weak 

 on the barren plants. Ovaries as long as the linear petals, subtriangular. 

 Capsule 3-furrowed, oblong, tapering to the base, opening at the top. The 

 fertile plants are taller, moie erect, but with fewer flowers. Jn. Unicorn-root. 



5. TRI'LLIUM. 



Perianth deeply G-parted, in 2 distinct series, outer of 3 

 sepals, inner of 3 colored petals; stamens nearly equal; 

 stigmas sessile, distinct or approximate; berry 3-ceiled; cells 

 many-seeded. 



