YELLOW 289 



leaves. The fruit is fleshy and incloses numerous 

 seeds, each of which is surrounded by a pulpy aril. 

 These seeds are arranged in rows along a large 

 lateral placenta. The fruit is sweet and edible. 

 It retains the thickened stigma at the apex. 

 July. 



Leaves. — The leaves are five- to nine-lobed. 

 The lobes are two-cleft and pointed at the apex. 

 The flowerless stalks bear single leaves with 

 the stems terminating near the center, giving 

 the leaves a truly umbrella-like appearance. The 

 leaves of the flowering stalks are in pairs, and 

 their stems join the leaves nearer their inner 

 edges. The upper surface is darker than the 

 lower. 



Flowers. — The large, white, drooping blossom, 

 with its six to nine petals, is borne on a stout 

 peduncle in the fork of the leaves. It is 

 cross fertilized by bees, that visit the flowers 

 for their pollen. They bear no nectar. April, 

 May. 



The leaves and the horizontal creeping root- 

 stocks are poisonous if eaten, but possess certain 

 medicinal properties. The plant spreads by 

 means of its creeping rhizome and forms large 

 patches. The umbrella-like leaf fulfills the mis- 



