118 Erythronium Americanum. 



compressed; anthers compressed, flat. Germ pyriform-triangular. 

 Stigma clavate or prismatic, entire, internally pubescent, yellowish- 

 green, tapering downards towards the germ. Style fistulous. 

 Flowers in April and early in May. Inhabits the shaded banks of 

 rivulets, and small water-courses, from Canada to Georgia. 



The genus Erythronium is derived from (get*, red, in allusion, it 

 is conjectured, either to the colour of the flowers, or the more un- 

 usual "blood stain" marks on the leaves. There appears to be at 

 most two North American species, the present one being the most 

 common. The root is farinaceous, and probably esculent after boil- 

 ing, like that of Erythonium dens canis, which affords food to the 

 Tartars. 



Fig. 1. Represents the plant, of its natural size, cut from Fig. 2. 



2. The root and subterraneous portion of the stem 



3. An outline of such leaves as generally appertain to the 



first year's plant. Occasionally flowering specimens are 

 found with two leaves like this. 



4. Germ and stigma. 



5. Stamen. 



6. An inner petal. 



