Lilacee—Convallaria. 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, (3 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. 
Rootstock 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 7roAvs, many, and yovu, a 
MM 
