Melanthium virginicum

BONAP * FNA * ITIS * USDA * VPI * NPGH

Classification Hierarchy
Kingdom	Plantae
Clade	Tracheophytes
Clade	Angiosperms
Clade	Monocotyledon
Order	Liliales
Family	Melanthiaceae
Genus	Melanthium
Species	Melanthium_virginicum

Scientific Name: Melanthium virginicum or
Veratrum virginicum

Common Name: Virginia bunch-flower

Origin: Native

Notes: There is dispute among taxonomists over the proper name for this species. This site will follow the recommendation of the FNA which prefers M. virginicum (see link above).

Additional references: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Field Marks for Identification: An herbaceous "monocot." which blooms in June to July and stands three to five feet tall. It is often found in sunny areas with wet soils.

Flowers: It can take two or more years before a seedling produces flowers which then appear as a panicle of closely "bunched" white flowers which turn a yellowish green as they mature. Flowers have six tepals, each with an ovate blade and a distinct claw. Staminal filaments attach at or near the middle of the claw. Fruits are superior and consist of three nearly separate carpels. Seeds are a yellow-brown, winged and about 7mm long.

Leaves: grass-like, long (up to 80cm) and thin (less than 3cm), margins entire. In the spring rosettes appear from which the inflorescence arises (usually)in June.

Glossaries of botanical terms:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

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