BLACK OR DARK PURPLE 159 



SMOOTH SOLOMON'S SEAL 



Polygonatum commutatum. Polygonatum giganteum 

 Lily-of-the-Valley Family 



Fruit. This globular berry is also nearly 

 black with a bloom. It is larger than the pre- 

 ceding, in keeping with the larger proportions of 

 the species. The clusters vary in the number of 

 their fruits from one to six. These grow on 

 long, stout, drooping stems from the leaf axils. 

 The berry is three-celled, one cell sometimes 

 containing six seeds. August, September. 



Leaves. The large leaves are ovate and 

 partly clasping. They are smooth throughout, 

 rather darker green than the smaller species and 

 somewhat paler beneath. The yellow fall leaves 

 contrast well with the dark berries. 



Flowers. The drooping jointed peduncles 

 bear two to eight large, greenish, bell-shaped 

 flowers. June. 



The tall, stout stalks, sometimes seven feet 

 high, with their large, spreading, gracefully 

 curved leaves and the numerous nodding clusters 

 of black balls are imposing additions to the flora 

 of moist roadsides. They also abound along 



