394 SPRING FLOWERS, AND 



The Convallaria^ or Solomon's Seal, is a well known hab- 

 itant of our woods ; the little dwarf species, or false Solo- 

 mon's Seal, in some localities fairly carpeting the ground 

 with its light green, glossy leaves, and perfuming the air 

 with the spicy fragrance of its starry flowers. 



All the species love a damp, shady locality, but Avill 

 flourish in almost any good rich soil. They are all plants 

 of easy culture, and improve greatly in cultivation ; plants 

 not unfrequently attaining twice the size of those in the 

 wild state. All love a rich soil, and will bear very high 

 manuring. We have grown them to great perfection in a 

 deep bed of well-rotted manure and leaf mould. 



There have been some changes latterly made in this 

 genus, all the plants commonly known as Convallaria 

 being transferred to Polygonatum and Smilacina, except 

 C. majalis, the well known Lily of the Valley, which is 

 a native of this country and Europe, being found in the 

 high Alleghanies of Virginia and southward. 



Convallaria biflora (Smilacina bifolia). Our common 

 low growing species, abundant in .most situations. Flow- 

 ers white and fragrant, in a short, erect cluster ; berries 

 white or spotted when unripe, scarlet when ripe. In 

 bloom about the first of June. 



