Paris.} LXXXV. LILIACE2E. 457 



A genus consisting of the European and a few Asiatic species. 



1. P. quadrifolia, Linn. (fig. 1029). Herb-Paris. Stem 9 inches to 

 a foot high, with a whorl of 4 broadly-ovate or obovate leaves, 2 to 3 

 or 4 inches long. Peduncles rising to 1 or 2 inches above the leaves. 

 Perianth of a yellowish-green colour; the 4 outer segments narrow- 

 lanceolate, about an inch long ; the 4 inner ones linear and rather more 

 yellow. Anthers linear, on slender filaments. Berry of a bluish-black 

 colour. Sometimes, but rarely, there is a fifth leaf, with the addition 

 of a fifth to each of the parts of the flower. 



In woods and shady places, dispersed over Europe and temperate 

 Asia, from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle, but not generally 

 very common. Scattered over several parts of Britain, but local and 

 not found in Ireland. Fl. spring or early summer. 



II. POLYGONATUM. SOLOMON-SEAL. 



Stems annual, erect and leafy, with a thick horizontal rootstock. 

 Leaves parallel-veined. Flowers axillary, drooping. Perianth tubular, 

 shortly 6-cleft. Stamens 6, inserted on the perianth. Ovary 3-celled, 

 with 2 ovules in each cell Style slender, with an entire stigma. Fruit 

 a small berry. 



A small genus, spread over the northern hemisphere without the 

 tropics, easily known by its foliage and inflorescence. 



Leaves whorled, narrow 1. P verticillatum. 



Leaves alternate. 



Flowers usually several In each axiL Filaments hairy . . 2. P. multiflorum. 



Flowers 1 or rarely 2 in each axiL Filamenta glabrous . . 8. P. ojficinale. 



1. P. verticillatum, AIL (fig. 1030). Whorled 5. Stem about 2 

 feet high. Leaves numerous, in whorls of 3, 4, or 6, narrow-lanceolate, 

 2 to 3 inches long, of a bright green. Flowers usually several in each 

 axil, on short branching peduncles or rarely solitary. Perianth about 

 4 lines long, white, with greenish tips. Berries red. 



In woods and shady ^places, in the mountain districts of Europe and 

 temperate Asia, extending far into Scandinavia. Very rare in Britain, 

 being only known from near Bellingham in Northumberland, and in 

 Forfarshire and Perthshire, on the banks of streams flowing from the 

 Grampians into the Tay. Fl. June. 



2. P. multiflorum, All. (fig. 1031). Common S. Stems near 2 feet 

 high, erect or rather Inclining to one side. Leaves alternate, ovate 

 or oblong, 3 or 4 inches long, all usually turning to one side. Flowers 



2 to 7 or 8 together, on short branching peduncles, usually turned 

 to the lower side of the stem away from the leaves. Perianth 7 or 



3 lines long, white, with greenish tips. Filaments and style hairy, all 

 included within the perianth. Berries of a dark blue, or red according 

 to Godron. 



In woods and shady places, almost all over Europe and Russian Asia, 

 except the extreme north. Occurs in several parts of England, not 

 indigenous in Scotland or Ireland. Fl. spring or early summer. 



3. P. officinale, AIL (fig. 1032). Angular S. Very near P. muUiflorum, 

 I but of smaller stature, seldom exceeding a foot in height, the flowers 



