Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 265 

 FAMILY 25. CONVALLARIACE^E. LILY-OF-THE- VALLEY FAMILY 



203. ASPARAGUS 



ASPARAGUS OFFICINALIS L. 



A fairly common escape along the railroad, growing in small 

 patches. Noted in flower May 18, 1901. 



204. FALSE SPIKENARD 



VAGNERA RACEMOSA (L.) Morong 



A familiar and attractive plant growing in shaded woodlands. 

 The white raceme of flowers is attractive and fragrant, and the 

 unripe berries white in color, thickly freckled with red, are pretty. 

 The ripe berries, consisting of a scarlet pulp enclosing a large white 

 ivory-like seed, are aromatic, and, to a degree, edible. Found in 

 flower by Vajen's May 28, 1901, and in Farrar's woods June 4. 

 Abundant on Long Point where it was collected in blossom June 

 10. The fruit ripens in autumn at a time when the stem and leaves 

 die down. 



205. STAR-FLOWERED SOLOMON'S SEAL 



VAGNERA STELLATA (L.) Morong 



This species is much less common than the preceding and is 

 usually found in rather dense patches on shady banks. Although 

 the flowers are larger than those of the related species it is not so 

 attractive a plant. The unripe berries are green with meridional 

 areas of purple, and the ripened berries are black. Found in flower 

 May 14, 1901, in Overmyer's woods and collected in- blossom on the 

 north side of the lake May 18. 



206. FALSE LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY 



UNIFOLIUM CANADENSE (Desf.) Greene 



One of the daintiest and most attractive of our wild flowers, 

 the erect slender stem bearing 2 or 3 leaves and surmounted by a 

 panicle of creamy fragrant flowers, considerably resembling those of 

 Vagnera racemosa. The flowers are followed by pink-freckled ber- 

 ries also resembling those of the above mentioned plant. Scattered 

 especially in tamaracks and peat-boggy places. Collected in the 

 tamarack west of the lake May 22 and again on June 2, 1901. In 

 flower in Hawk's marsh, May 2, 1901. 



