L iliacecz Con valla ria. 



529 



flower markets nearly all through the Winter. Under cultiva- 

 tion it has produced a double-flowered and a pink variety, and 



Fig. 257. Convallaria majalis. (J nat. size.) 



another with handsome variegated foliage. It is a native of 

 England, and Europe and Northern Asia generally. It flowers 

 naturally in the month of May with us. 



28. POLYGONATUM. 



Similar in structure, but differing considerably in habit from 

 the above genus. Instead of the leafless flower-scape and 

 radical leaves, we have here a leafy stem and axillary flowers. 

 Eootstock creeping. Leaves alternate, opposite or whorled. 

 Flowers solitary or racemose, pendulous, white green or pur- 

 plish, destitute of bracts. Perianth tubular or sub-campanulate. 

 Stamens on the middle of the tube, included. Fruit a 2- to 

 4-seeded berry. The name is from TroAuy, many, and 7<W, a 



M M 



