Polygonatum. | LXXXV, LILIACER, 457 
the flowers rather larger and especially thicker, solitary or two only in each 
axil, and the filaments of the stamens quite glabrous. 
With nearly the same geographical range as P. multiflorum, but gene- 
rally in more open and rocky situations, and more common in the limestone 
districts of southern Europe. In Britain, more scarce, but undoubtedly 
wild in several localities in England and South Wales. Fl, spring and 
early summer. - 
Ill, CONVALLARIA. CONVALLARIA. 
A single species, separated from Polygonatum by the leafless flower-stem 
bearing a terminal raceme, and by the short bell-shaped perianth, with the 
stamens inserted near its base. 
1, ©. majalis, Linn. (fig. 1031). Sweet Convallaria, Lily-of-the- 
Valley.— Rootstock creeping. Leaves radical, usually 2 together in a 
scaly sheath; their long footstalks enclosed one within the other so as to 
appear like a stem; the blade oblong, tapering at both ends, 4 to 6 inches 
long. Flower-stem leafless, radical, shorter than the leaves. Flowers 
drooping, bell-shaped, of a pure white, and very sweet-scented, in a loose 
raceme. Berries globular, red. 
In woods, dispersed over Europe and Russian Asia, from the Mediter- 
ranean to the Arctic Circle, and very common in some localities, especially 
towards the centre and north, but totally wanting in other districts. Abun- 
dant in some counties of England, very local or wanting in others, and 
not indigenous in Scotland or Ireland. J. spring. 
IV. MAIANTHEMUM. MAY LILY. 
Rootstock usually creeping, with annual erect stems. Leaves alternate. 
Flowers small, in a terminal simple raceme or narrow panicle. Perianth 
deeply divided into 4 or 6 nearly equal spreading segments. Stamens 4 or 
6, inserted at the base of the perianth-segments. Ovary 2-or 3-celled, with 
2 ovules in each cell. Style short, with a 2- or 3-lobed stigma, Fruit a 
small berry. 
A small genus, dispersed over Europe, temperate Asia, and north 
America, 
1. M. Convallaria, Roth, (fig. 1032). Two-leaved Maianthemum, 
May-lily.—Rootstock slender, creeping, Stems6 to9 inches high. Leaves 2, 
alternate, shortly stalked, ovate, deeply cordate. Flowers small, white, in 
a terminal raceme about an inch long, not branched, but the short, slender 
pedicels usually clustered. Perianth of 4 divisions. Stamens 4, Ovary 
2-celled. Berries small, red. Smilacina Obifolia, Desf. of former 
editions. 
In woods, and occasionally in pastures; dispersed over Europe, Russian 
Asia, and North America, and often very common. Rare in Britain, and 
omitted in the first edition of this Handbook, in the belief that the few 
localities assigned to it were only where it had been planted. It is however 
stated to be undoubtedly indigenous and abundant near Hackness, 6 miles 
from Scarborough. Fl. early summer. 
