6o LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY FAMILY. 



branched above and sheathed below with a membraneous scale, the young growth 

 slightly pubescent. 



It is a common error, and one in which for a long time I shared not hav- 

 ing seen this plant, to think that its stalk is twisted; for the popular name is 

 altogether in allusion to the twist or bend which occurs at about the middle 

 of its fine peduncles. Almost hidden under the leaves, the dainty flowers 

 hang. In fact, the whole effect of the plant is that of a superabundance of 

 leaf and very little flower. By the side of a high mountain stream I saw it 

 growing when in North Carolina. 



LILY=OF=THE=VALLEY. flAY LILY. 



Coiivalldria majdlis. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



LUy-of-the-Valley. White. Fragrant. Va.. N. C. and S. C. May, June. 



Flowers: nodding, and growing loosely in a one-sided raceme; their pedicels 

 thread-like and bracted at their bases. Feriajith : campanulate; rounded, the 

 lobes somewhat recurved. Stamens: six; included. Pistil: one. Leaves: 

 smooth ; large ; usually two which arise higher than the flowers; oval, pointed at 

 the apex and tapering at the base into peti )les. Basal scales large, one sheathing 

 the erect, angled and glabrous scape. 



In this country, it is only in the higher Alleghanies that the lily-of-the-val- 

 ley is found growing wild and absolutely untrammelled by the laws of culti- 

 vation. But there on the mountain slopes it flourishes in a state of almost 

 unrivalled luxury, especially where a humid atmosphere prevails. It is one 

 of the group of plants which although so localized in the south is apparently 

 identical with relatives which grow in parts of Europe and Asia. By the 

 mountaineers it is known mostly as the " May lily," in which month it 

 begins to bloom. It then casts abroad sufficient fragrance to be wafted to a 

 considerable distance. In all parts of this lovely flower there is a poisonous 

 crystalline compound known as convallamarin which causes most animals 

 to refuse to eat of it, although goats and sheep appear to be hardy enough 

 to withstand its known and evil action on the heart. 



WAKE ROBIN. INDIAN PINK. 



Trilliuni slyVosuni. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Lily-o/-the-]'ailcy. Rose and white. Scentless. Georgia to North Carolina. April., May. 



Flowers: large; solitary at the end of long recurved peduncles. Perianth: 

 showing three lanceolate short sepals, and three oblong petals, pointed or rounded 



