MONOCOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS 39 



XIX. MAIANTHEMUM, Wigg. 



Stem low. Leaves 2-3, lanceolate or ovate, with a heart- 

 shaped base. Flowers small, white, solitary, or in a simple 

 raceme. Perianth 4-parted. Stamens 4. Ovary 2-celled. 

 Stigma 2-lobed. 



1. M. canadense, Desf. TWO-LEAVED SOLOMON'S SEAL, WILD 

 LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY. Plant 3-6 in. high. Leaves very short- 

 petioled. Fruit a globular or ovoid berry, whitish, with brownish- 

 red blotches. Woods and shaded banks N. 



XX. STREPTOPUS, Michx. 



Herbs with forking stems from a creeping rootstock. Leaves 

 clasping. Flowers small, borne singly or in pairs on peduncles 

 which arise above the leaf-axils and which are sharply bent 

 or twisted near the middle. Anthers arrow-shaped. Ovary 

 3-celled, ripening into a red, many-seeded berry. 



1. S. amplexifolius, D. C. LIVER-BERRY. Stem smooth, 2 ft. or 

 more high. Leaves smooth-margined. Flowers greenish-white. 

 Damp woods. 



2. S. roseus, Michx. LIVER-BERRY, JACOB'S LADDER. Branches 

 with a few bristly hairs. Lower leaves margined with fine bristles. 

 Flowe'rs reddish or purplish. Cold, damp woods N. 



XXI. POLYGONATUM, Tourn. 



Rootstock creeping, jointed, scarred. Stems simple, erect, 

 scaly below, leafy above. Leaves alternate, oval, or oblong. 

 Flowers on axillary, 1-4-flowered, drooping, jointed peduncles. 

 Perianth tubular, 6-cleft. Stamens 6, included, inserted about 

 the middle of the tube. Anthers arrow-shaped. Ovary 

 3-celled, many-ovuled, style slender, stigmas knobbed or 

 3-lobed. Fruit a few-seeded berry.* 



1. P. biflorum, Ell. HAIRY SOLOMON'S SEAL. Stem simple, erect, 

 arched, nearly naked below, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves 2-ranked, sessile 

 or clasping, 3-7-nerved, smooth above, pale and downy beneath. 

 Peduncles short, 1-4, often 2-flowered. Perianth greenish, 1-2 in. 

 long. Filaments thread-shaped, roughened. Berry dark blue. 

 Shady banks.* 



