322 ENDOGENOUS PLANTS 



mature ; cells 1- or 2-seeded. Perennials : rhizoma stout, creeping ; 

 stem leaning, or curved ; leaves somewhat clasping ; flowers axillary, 

 pendulous, greenish-white. 



1. P. canaliculsktlim, Pursh. Leaves ovate-oblong, many- 

 nerved, smooth and green on both sides ; peduncles 2- to 6-flowered. 

 P. multifiorum. Desf. $ FL Cestr. ed. 2. p. 220. 

 CHANNELLED POLYGONATUM. Greater Solomon's Seal. 



Rhizoma rather large, fleshy, horizontal, with the scars of former stems on its 

 upper side. Stem 2 to 4 feet high, somewhat angular and channelled. Leaves 3 to 

 5 inches long. Peduncles 1 to 2 inches long ; flowers often in pendulous fascicles ; 

 perianth about % of an inch long, the lobes a little spreading, tipt with green. 

 Hob. Rich soils; along streams, fence-rows, &c. : frequent. FL June. Fr. Sept. 



J. p. pubescens, Pursh. Leaves lance-oblong, 3- to 5-nerved, 

 pubescent and glaucous beneath ; peduncles 1- or 2-flowered. 

 PUBESCENT POLYGONATUM. Smaller Solomon's Seal. 



Plant every way smaller than the preceding. Stem 1 to 2 feet high, terete, or 

 grooved on one side. Leaves 2 to 3 inches long. Peduncles % an inch to near an 

 i nch long ; flowers often solitary, rarely more than 2 together. 

 ffdb. Woodlands, and rocky banks : frequent. FL May. Fr. Aug. 



Obs. This is the plant referred to, in Fl. Cestrica, as a variety of 

 the preceding. Prof. A. GRAY regards it as specifically distinct. 

 The scars left on the elongating rhizomas, by the old stems, have 

 been imagined to resemble the impressions of a Seal, whence the 

 common name of these plants. 



439. SMELACrJVA, Desfontaines. 

 [Diminutive of Smilax ; from a fancied resemblance to that genus.] 

 Perianth 6- or 4-parted, spreading, deciduous. Ovary 2- or 3-celled ; 

 style short and thick; stigma 2- or 3-lobed. Berry globular, 1- or 

 2-seeded, usually speckled with purple spots when mature. Peren- 

 nials : rhizoma thickish, creeping ; leaves nerved ; flowers in a ter- 

 minal compound, or simple raceme, yellowish, or white. 



f Perianth-lobes and stamens 6 ; leaves several. 



1. S. racemusa, Desf. Leaves oblong-oval, acuminate, sub- 

 sessile ; raceme compound, paniculate ; ovary 3-celled. 

 RACEMOSE SMILACINA. Wild Spikenard. 



Stem 1 to 2 feet high, somewhat angular and flexuose, slightly pubescent 

 above. Leaves 4 to 6 inches long, contracted at base to a short margined petiole. 

 Raceme 2 to 3 inches in length ; pedicels short; flowers yellowish. 

 JIab. Moist grounds ; ditch banks, &c. : frequent. FL May. Fr. Sept. 



2. S. Stellata, Desf. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, acute, clasping ; 

 raceme simple, few-flowered ; ovary 2-celled. 



STELLATE SMILACINA. 



Stem 9 to 12 inches high, nearly terete, smooth. Leaves 3 to 5 inches long, 

 acuminately tapering toward the apex. Raceme 1 to 1% inches in length ; flowers 

 white. 

 Uab. Meadows; along rivulets; Downingtown: rare. Fl. May. Fr. 



