LILY FAMILY. Liliacess. 



terra-cotta 

 May-June 



The only species, the thin, circHng, long- 

 C c mber ovate, light green leaves of which are 



Medeola Vir- arranged around the middle, and the three 

 ginica ovate ones around the top of the thin 



^'■®*""'^^ stem. The inconspicuous nodding, but 



perfect flower is | inch wide, green, and 

 accented by the reddish terra-cotta color 

 of the six stamens, and the three long, recurved terra- 

 cotta brown stigmas, i. e., the three divisions of the 

 tip of the pistil ; the three petals and three sepals are 

 also recurved. In September about two or three purple- 

 black berries replace the flowers at the apex of the plant. 

 Named for the sorceress Medea on account of its sup- 

 posed medicinal virtue. The common name alludes to 

 the succulent, horizontal, white tuberous root which 

 tastes like cucumber, and was in all probability relished 

 by the Indians. 1-3 feet high. Rich damp woods. Me., 

 w^est to Minn., and south. 



Medeola Virginica is a characteristic woodland plant, 

 common in the "White Mountain woods. It is adapted 

 to subdued sunlight, and is interesting in both flower 

 and fruit. The blossoms, often beneath the three uppei 

 leaves, are thus protected from the dripping of the trees 

 in wet weather ; their colors are esthetic. Crawling 

 insects cannot easily mount the (at first) woolly stem and 

 rob the flower of its pollen, flying insects readily find 

 the blossom, and in September the three crowning leaf- 

 lets beneath the berries are stained with dull crimson, 

 the color attracting birds to the fruit. It is therefore 

 evident that the plant depends in some measure upon 

 visitors. 



44 



