Me-lan-tha'se-e. L. Melanth-ium + aceae. fr. Gr.

black,

flower - i. e., alluding to the darker color which the persistent perianth assumes after blossoming. Leafy-stemmed herbs. Distinguished by being rarely bulbous; leaves grass-like, parallel-veined with transverse veinlets; perinth 6, stamens 6, ovary 3-celled, superior; fruit capsule, septicidal; seeds tailed or appendaged; temperate climates; sedative, diaphoretic, sternutatory, poisonous. Genera: 1. Veratrum. 2. Asagraea.