58 LILIACEAE 



many-flowered : sepals li^'-2Y' long, very acute, subequal, spreading, 

 longer than the obtuse, oblong capsule. — Common in all kinds of situa. 

 tlons and wonderfully variable. May-November. 



5. J. Dudleyi Wiegand. Resembles stout forms of the last, but readily 

 distinguished by the brownish-yellow cartilaginous leaf- auricles, which 

 are not prolonged. — Common in meadows and along streams. May- 

 August. 



6. J. Ricbardsonianus Schult. e'-SCK high : panicle branches erect, 

 the flowers in distinct heads : sepals 1" long, the three outer sharper and 

 longer than the three inner, but shorter than the ovoid- oblong, shoit- 

 tipped capsule. — Sand-bars along the Missouri River. Rare. Septem- 

 ber-October. 



7. J. nodosus L. &'-24'' high, from a tuber-bearing rootstock : pan- 

 icle bearing 1-30 heads, S'^-G" wide : sepals less than 2" long, subequal, 

 shorter than the lanceolate-subulate capsule. — Sand-bars along the Mis- 

 souri River. Not common. May-November. 



8. J. Torreyi Coville. Similar to the last but larger : beads 30-80- 

 flowered, ^"-W wide : sepals more than 2" long, the three outer longer 

 than the three inner. — Often abundant in moist places throughout. 

 May-November. 



9. J. acuminatus Miohx. Stems erect, l°-3° high : inflorescence of 

 5-uiany 3-20-flowered heads : sepals less than 2" long, equal, about the 

 length of the ovoid-oblong abruptly pointed capsule. — .Abundant in 

 ponds and ditches from Adams to Atherton and Levasy. May-July. 



Family 20. MELANTHAOEAE R. Br. 

 Leafy-stemmed herbs from rootstooks, with grass-like leaves, and pan- 

 ioled or racemose, polygamous, dioecious or perfect flowers. Perianth 

 composed of six segments. Stamens six at the base of the perianth. 

 Styles three. Seeds few-many. 



1. MELANTHIUM L. 



Flowers numerous in large terminal panicles, monoecious or polyg- 

 amous, greenish-white. Perianth divisions clawed at base. Styles 

 three, spreading. Capsule septicidal. Inflorescence pubescent. 



1. M. Virginioum L. Bunch-flower. 2°-5° high : leaves 1° long, 

 \"-\2" wide : perianth segments oblong, entire, 2-glandular at base. — 

 Moist meadows throughout the southern and eastern parts, but local. 

 June-July. 



Family 21. LILIACEAE Adans. 



Herbs from bulbs, corms or rootstooks. Flowers regular, perfect. 

 Perianth 6-parted. Stamens 6, free or adnate to the perianth segments. 

 Ovary 3-celled, its cells with few-many ovules. Fruit a looulicidal 

 capsule. 



