124 GATES: REVISION OF GENUS POLYGONATUM 
This variety (PLATE 6, A) is evidently closely related to the 
typical form of P. commutatum, from which it differs chiefly in 
having elliptical leaves, not amplexicaul, dark green in color, and 
more slender peduncles. Farwell’s illustration represents a form 
of P. commutatum. 
VIRGINIA: bluffs of the middle fork of the Holston River, near 
Marion, Smyth County, May 22, 1892, John K. Small (Cal. 3835, 
co-type of P. virginicum). District oF CoLuMBIA: Dalecarlia 
Reservoir, May 23, 1905, Joseph H. Painter 1309. 
v50. Polygonatum commutatum ovatum (Farwell) comb. nov. 
Polygonatum biflorum ovatum Farwell, Bull. Torrey Club 42: 255- 
pl. 16, A. 1915. 
Michigan to Iowa, Nebraska and Oklahoma. 
This variety as here understood differs from the species chiefly 
in having leaves which are amplexicaul, usually rather broadly 
ovate with very blunt tips, peduncles stout and flattened, flowers 
frequently in 3’s and 4’s, about 18 mm. in length. It is clearly 
related to P. commutatum rather than P. biflorum. 
Iowa: Shelby County, May 30, 1894, 7. J. & M. F. L. 
Fitzpatrick; Grinnell, 1886, H. W. Norris. NEBRASKA: near 
Lincoln, June 5, 1900, George C. Hedgcock. OKLAHOMA: Catoosa, 
May 14, 1895, B. F. Bush 1282 (“‘common”’). 
6. POLYGONATUM GIGANTEUM Dietr. 
Polygonatum giganteum Dietr.; Otto & Dietr. Gartenz. 3: 222. 
1835. 
Polygonatum multiflorum B americanum Hook. Fl. Bor. Am. 2: 176. 
1840 (in part). 
Polygonatum biflorum y giganteum Wood. Bot. & Flo. 346. 1870. 
Polygonatum canaliculatum giganteum Farwell, Bull. Torrey Club 
42: 256. pl. 18. 1915. 
Maryland and Pennsylvania to Wisconsin and Montana, south 
to Nebraska, Missouri and Kentucky. 
This species was originally described by Dietrich from speci- 
mens received from the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, the super- 
intendent’s son having obtained it from North America. It 
appears to be essentially a giant derivative of P. commutatum, 
yet its characters are sufficiently distinct to be amply worthy of 
