36G MONOCOTYLEDONOU3 PLANTS. 



ORDER CXXIV. MELANTHACE^E. Brown. Lind. 



Perianth petaloid, 6-divided, the margin of the segments, 

 generally involute in aestivation. Stamens 6 ; anthers usual- 

 ly bursting outwards. Ovary 3-celled, many-seeded ; style 

 trifid or 3-parted ; stigmas three, undivided. Capsule gener- 

 ally divisible into three pieces, sometimes with a loculicidal 

 dehiscence. Seeds with a membranous integument ; albumen 

 dense, fleshy. 

 ' Leaves sheathing at base, with parallel veins. 



1. MELANTHIUM. Linn. 



Polygamous. Perianth rotate, 6-partcd ; segments ungui- 

 culate, biglandular at the base, claws staminiferous. Capsule 

 exserted, subovate ; apex partly trifid, 3-celled. Seeds many, 

 membranously winged. Hezandria. Trigynia. 



1. M. tirginicum Linn.: leaves long, linear-lanceolate, flat, smooth: 

 panicle very large, pyramidal ; petals ovate, somewhat hastate, flat ; 

 flowers mostly perfect. 



HAB. Wet meadows. N. Y. to Car. -July. 2_f. Stem 3-4 

 feet high, leafy. Flowers greenish-white, in a panicle a foot or 

 more in length. This species has been found by Dr. IIorton r in 

 Orange county, N. Y. 



2. M. glaucum Nutt. : root a tunicatcd bulb ; leaves glaucous, gra- 

 mineous, margined ; raceme mostly simple, few-flowered ; flowers 

 perfect ; segments of the perianth roundish, clawed, with 2 spots ; 

 seeds subulately winged. 



HAB. Shores of Lake Erie. W. to Miss. Nutt. July, Aug. If. 

 Stem a foot high. Flowers whitish, in a raceme, which is 

 sometimes a little divided at base. 



3. M. hybridum Walt. : leaves long-linear, nearly smooth, embracing 

 the stem ; panicle long, composed of simple racemes ; segments of 

 the perianth orbicular, plaited, with long claws ;' glands united. M. 

 Tacemosum Mich. 



HAB. Perm. Muld. S. to Car. June, July. U.Stem 2 feet 

 high, leafy. Flowers in a long panicle, which is composed of 

 simple racemes. 



2. TOFIELDIA. Huds. 



Perianth 6-parted, with a small 3-parted involucre. Sta- 

 mens 6, smooth. Capsuk 3 6-celled ; cells many-seeded, 

 united at base. Hezandria. Monogynia. 



T. pubtsctns Pursh : leaves subradical, narrow-ensiform, smooth ; 

 rchis and pedicels scabrous ' r spike oblong, interrupted ; capsule sub- 



