l6o MEDEOLA VIRGINICA. INDIAN CUCUMBER. 



worthy of close observation and Investigation. Some pollen 

 from the lower series of anthers may possibly be carried to 

 neighboring flowers by the wind. 



The root, as shown on our plate, has a prcemorse or bitten-off 

 appearance, and when the growing time comes, one bud makes 

 the new plant, while from another bud at the base proceeds a 

 thread-like runner, which, toward the end of the season, gradu- 

 ally thickens and forms the tuber from which next year's plant 

 is to i^row. 



According to Pursh, the root is eaten by the Indians, and as 

 it is said to taste like the cucumber, the whole plant has received 

 the common name of " Indian Cucumber." This is the only 

 indication we find of its ever having been really useful to man. 



The Medeola Virgiiiica is by no means confined to Virginia, 

 as its specific name would seem to indicate, but is found in 

 damp, shaded woods in most of the states of the Union east of 

 the Mississippi River. Its flowering time is in June and July. 



