Glabrous perennial herbs, with membranous-coated bulbs, leafy stems, and rather large greenish or yellowish-white flowers in terminal racemes. Leaves linear. Flowers perfect.

Perianth withering-persistent, adnate to the lower part of the ovary, its segments bearing a single obcordate gland. Stamens distinct from the perianth-segments. Capsule 3-celled, the cavities dehiscent to the base. Seeds numerous. [Named for the mother of Ulysses.]

About 6 species, natives of North America and northern Asia. Type species: A. sibirica (L.) Kunth.

1. Anticlea Elegans (Pursh) Rydb. Glaucous Anticlea

Fig. 1231

Zygadenus elegans Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. 241. 1814. MelantIlium glaucum Nutt. Gen. 1: 232. 1818. Zygadenus glaucus Nutt. Journ. Acad. Phila. 7: 56. 1834. Z. chloranthus Richards. Frank. Journ. 736. 1821. A. chloranlha Rydb. Bull. Torr. Club 30: 273. 1903.

Plant glaucous; bulb ovoid, about 1 long, its coats membranous. Stem slender, 6-3 ° tall; leaves 2"-7" wide, keeled, the lower 4'-12' long, the upper much shorter; bracts lanceolate, rather large, green or purplish; inflorescence a simple raceme or a large panicle, sometimes 1° long, open, its branches slender, ascending; flowers greenish or yellowish, 8"-10" broad; perianth-segments oval or obovate, obtuse, bearing a large obcordate gland just above the short claw; capsule oblong, nearly 1' long, exceeding the perianth.

In moist places, New Brunswick to Alaska, Vermont, New York, Missouri, and in the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico. June-Aug.