# An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions/Melanthaceae

Family 21.   Melanthàceae   R. Br.   Prodr. 1: 272.   1810.
Bunch-flower Family.
Leafy-stemmed herbs (some exotic genera scapose), with rootstocks or rarely with bulbs, the leaves broad or grass-like, parallel-veined, the veins often connected by transverse veinlets. Flowers perfect, polygamous, or dioecious, regular, racemose, panicled or solitary. Perianth of 6 separate or nearly separate, usually persistent segments. Stamens 6, borne on the bases of the perianth-segments. Anthers small, 2-celled, oblong or ovate, or confluently 1-celled and cordate or reniform, mostly versatile and extrorsely dehiscent (introrse in Tofieldia, Triantha and Abama). Ovary 3-celled, superior or rarely partly inferior; ovules few or numerous in each cavity, anatropous or amphitropous. Styles 3, distinct or nearly so. Fruit a capsule with septicidal dehiscence (loculicidal in Abama). Seeds commonly tailed or appendaged. Embryo small, in usually copious endosperm.
About 40 genera and 145 species, widely distributed.
Anthers oblong or ovate, 2-celled. :
| | • | Anthers introrsely dehiscent. | Anthers introrsely dehiscent. | Anthers introrsely dehiscent. | Anthers introrsely dehiscent. | Anthers introrsely dehiscent. | Anthers introrsely dehiscent. | Anthers introrsely dehiscent. | Anthers introrsely dehiscent. | Anthers introrsely dehiscent. |
| | | • | Capsule septicidal; flowers involucrate by 3 bractlets. | Capsule septicidal; flowers involucrate by 3 bractlets. | Capsule septicidal; flowers involucrate by 3 bractlets. | Capsule septicidal; flowers involucrate by 3 bractlets. | Capsule septicidal; flowers involucrate by 3 bractlets. | Capsule septicidal; flowers involucrate by 3 bractlets. | Capsule septicidal; flowers involucrate by 3 bractlets. | Capsule septicidal; flowers involucrate by 3 bractlets. |
| | | | • | Inflorescence centripetal; seeds unappendaged. | Inflorescence centripetal; seeds unappendaged. | Inflorescence centripetal; seeds unappendaged. | Inflorescence centripetal; seeds unappendaged. | Inflorescence centripetal; seeds unappendaged. | Inflorescence centripetal; seeds unappendaged. | Inflorescence centripetal; seeds unappendaged. | 1. | Tofieldia. |
| | | | • | Inflorescence centrifugal; seeds appendaged. | Inflorescence centrifugal; seeds appendaged. | Inflorescence centrifugal; seeds appendaged. | Inflorescence centrifugal; seeds appendaged. | Inflorescence centrifugal; seeds appendaged. | Inflorescence centrifugal; seeds appendaged. | Inflorescence centrifugal; seeds appendaged. | 2. | Triantha. |
| | | • | Capsule loculicidal; flowers not involucrate. | Capsule loculicidal; flowers not involucrate. | Capsule loculicidal; flowers not involucrate. | Capsule loculicidal; flowers not involucrate. | Capsule loculicidal; flowers not involucrate. | Capsule loculicidal; flowers not involucrate. | Capsule loculicidal; flowers not involucrate. | Capsule loculicidal; flowers not involucrate. | 3. | Abama. |
| | • | Anthers extrorsely dehiscent. | Anthers extrorsely dehiscent. | Anthers extrorsely dehiscent. | Anthers extrorsely dehiscent. | Anthers extrorsely dehiscent. | Anthers extrorsely dehiscent. | Anthers extrorsely dehiscent. | Anthers extrorsely dehiscent. | Anthers extrorsely dehiscent. |
| | | • | Flowers perfect. | Flowers perfect. | Flowers perfect. | Flowers perfect. | Flowers perfect. | Flowers perfect. | Flowers perfect. | Flowers perfect. |
| | | | • | Leaves basal, oblanceolate; seeds numerous. | Leaves basal, oblanceolate; seeds numerous. | Leaves basal, oblanceolate; seeds numerous. | Leaves basal, oblanceolate; seeds numerous. | Leaves basal, oblanceolate; seeds numerous. | Leaves basal, oblanceolate; seeds numerous. | Leaves basal, oblanceolate; seeds numerous. | 4. | Xerophyllum. |
| | | | • | Stem very leafy; leaves linear; seeds few. | Stem very leafy; leaves linear; seeds few. | Stem very leafy; leaves linear; seeds few. | Stem very leafy; leaves linear; seeds few. | Stem very leafy; leaves linear; seeds few. | Stem very leafy; leaves linear; seeds few. | Stem very leafy; leaves linear; seeds few. | 5. | Helonias. |
| | | • | Flowers dioecious; stem leafy. | Flowers dioecious; stem leafy. | Flowers dioecious; stem leafy. | Flowers dioecious; stem leafy. | Flowers dioecious; stem leafy. | Flowers dioecious; stem leafy. | Flowers dioecious; stem leafy. | Flowers dioecious; stem leafy. | 6. | Chamaelirium. |
| • | Anthers cordate or reniform, confluently 1-celled. | Anthers cordate or reniform, confluently 1-celled. | Anthers cordate or reniform, confluently 1-celled. | Anthers cordate or reniform, confluently 1-celled. | Anthers cordate or reniform, confluently 1-celled. | Anthers cordate or reniform, confluently 1-celled. | Anthers cordate or reniform, confluently 1-celled. | Anthers cordate or reniform, confluently 1-celled. | Anthers cordate or reniform, confluently 1-celled. | Anthers cordate or reniform, confluently 1-celled. |
| | • | Plants glabrous. | Plants glabrous. | Plants glabrous. | Plants glabrous. | Plants glabrous. | Plants glabrous. | Plants glabrous. | Plants glabrous. | Plants glabrous. |
| | | • | Perianth-segments not gland-bearing. | Perianth-segments not gland-bearing. | Perianth-segments not gland-bearing. | Perianth-segments not gland-bearing. | Perianth-segments not gland-bearing. | Perianth-segments not gland-bearing. | Perianth-segments not gland-bearing. | Perianth-segments not gland-bearing. |
| | | | • | Flowers perfect; perianth-segments obtuse. | Flowers perfect; perianth-segments obtuse. | Flowers perfect; perianth-segments obtuse. | Flowers perfect; perianth-segments obtuse. | Flowers perfect; perianth-segments obtuse. | Flowers perfect; perianth-segments obtuse. | Flowers perfect; perianth-segments obtuse. | 7. | Chrosperma. |
| | | | • | Flowers polygamous; perianth-segments acuminate. | Flowers polygamous; perianth-segments acuminate. | Flowers polygamous; perianth-segments acuminate. | Flowers polygamous; perianth-segments acuminate. | Flowers polygamous; perianth-segments acuminate. | Flowers polygamous; perianth-segments acuminate. | Flowers polygamous; perianth-segments acuminate. | 8. | Stenanthium. |
| | | • | Perianth-segments bearing 1 or 2 glands, or a spot. | Perianth-segments bearing 1 or 2 glands, or a spot. | Perianth-segments bearing 1 or 2 glands, or a spot. | Perianth-segments bearing 1 or 2 glands, or a spot. | Perianth-segments bearing 1 or 2 glands, or a spot. | Perianth-segments bearing 1 or 2 glands, or a spot. | Perianth-segments bearing 1 or 2 glands, or a spot. | Perianth-segments bearing 1 or 2 glands, or a spot. |
| | | | • | Plant with a thick horizontal rootstock; perianth-segments with 2 glands. | Plant with a thick horizontal rootstock; perianth-segments with 2 glands. | Plant with a thick horizontal rootstock; perianth-segments with 2 glands. | Plant with a thick horizontal rootstock; perianth-segments with 2 glands. | Plant with a thick horizontal rootstock; perianth-segments with 2 glands. | Plant with a thick horizontal rootstock; perianth-segments with 2 glands. | Plant with a thick horizontal rootstock; perianth-segments with 2 glands. | 9. | Zygadenus. |
| | | | • | Plants bulbous, or with short erect rootstocks; perianth-segments with 1 gland. | Plants bulbous, or with short erect rootstocks; perianth-segments with 1 gland. | Plants bulbous, or with short erect rootstocks; perianth-segments with 1 gland. | Plants bulbous, or with short erect rootstocks; perianth-segments with 1 gland. | Plants bulbous, or with short erect rootstocks; perianth-segments with 1 gland. | Plants bulbous, or with short erect rootstocks; perianth-segments with 1 gland. | Plants bulbous, or with short erect rootstocks; perianth-segments with 1 gland. |
| | | | | • | Flowers perfect; bulbs membranous-coated. | Flowers perfect; bulbs membranous-coated. | Flowers perfect; bulbs membranous-coated. | Flowers perfect; bulbs membranous-coated. | Flowers perfect; bulbs membranous-coated. | Flowers perfect; bulbs membranous-coated. |
| | | | | | • | Ovary partly inferior; gland obcordate. | Ovary partly inferior; gland obcordate. | Ovary partly inferior; gland obcordate. | Ovary partly inferior; gland obcordate. | Ovary partly inferior; gland obcordate. | 10. | Anticlea. |
| | | | | | • | Ovary wholly superior; gland obovate or half-orbicular. | Ovary wholly superior; gland obovate or half-orbicular. | Ovary wholly superior; gland obovate or half-orbicular. | Ovary wholly superior; gland obovate or half-orbicular. | Ovary wholly superior; gland obovate or half-orbicular. | 11. | Toxicoscordion. |
| | | | | • | Flowers polygamous; rootstocks fibrous-coated. | Flowers polygamous; rootstocks fibrous-coated. | Flowers polygamous; rootstocks fibrous-coated. | Flowers polygamous; rootstocks fibrous-coated. | Flowers polygamous; rootstocks fibrous-coated. | Flowers polygamous; rootstocks fibrous-coated. | 12. | Oceanoros. |
| | • | Stem and inflorescence pubescent. | Stem and inflorescence pubescent. | Stem and inflorescence pubescent. | Stem and inflorescence pubescent. | Stem and inflorescence pubescent. | Stem and inflorescence pubescent. | Stem and inflorescence pubescent. | Stem and inflorescence pubescent. | Stem and inflorescence pubescent. |
| | | • | Perianth-segments distinctly clawed, glandless. | Perianth-segments distinctly clawed, glandless. | Perianth-segments distinctly clawed, glandless. | Perianth-segments distinctly clawed, glandless. | Perianth-segments distinctly clawed, glandless. | Perianth-segments distinctly clawed, glandless. | Perianth-segments distinctly clawed, glandless. | Perianth-segments distinctly clawed, glandless. | 13. | Melanthium. |
| | | • | Perianth-segments not clawed or very short-clawed, 2-glandular. | Perianth-segments not clawed or very short-clawed, 2-glandular. | Perianth-segments not clawed or very short-clawed, 2-glandular. | Perianth-segments not clawed or very short-clawed, 2-glandular. | Perianth-segments not clawed or very short-clawed, 2-glandular. | Perianth-segments not clawed or very short-clawed, 2-glandular. | Perianth-segments not clawed or very short-clawed, 2-glandular. | Perianth-segments not clawed or very short-clawed, 2-glandular. | 14. | Veratrum. |