Medeola virginiana L.

  • Authority

    Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

  • Family

    Liliaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Medeola virginiana L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome 3–8 cm, succulent, cucumber-flavored; stem erect, 3–7 dm, ± invested when young with flocculent wool which persists about the lf-bases; lower lvs 5–11 per whorl, oblong-oblanceolate, 6–12 cm, a fourth or a third as wide, acuminate at both ends; upper lvs normally 3 per whorl, ovate, 3–6 cm, half to two-thirds as wide, acuminate, becoming bright red at the more rounded base; umbel 3–9-fld; pedicels spreading or deflexed, 15–25 mm, becoming red; tep 7 mm; berry dark purple or black; 2n=14. Rich woods; N.S. and Que. to Mich. and se. Wis., s. to Va. and n. Mo., and in the mts. to Ga. and Ala.; also in Fla. and reputedly se. La. May–July.