Amaryllidaceae Galanthus sp. Narcissus spp.

Fused Tepals Inferior Ovary

Alliaceae Allium tricoccum

Allium tricoccum, Wild Leeks, Alliaceae

Allium tricoccum, Wild Leek -- Leafs first in the early spring and then in summer after the leaves have senesced, puts up a flowering stalk.

Allium tricoccum seeds are produced in mid autumn. Note the fruit is a loculicidal capsule- here split open revealing the shiny black seeds.

A bulb is a short underground stem-- usually used to store nutrients. In these lily bulbs: each scale is a modified fleshy leaf that will produce new roots and shoots when planted.

Cross and longitudinal sections of a lily bulb trc.ucdavis.edu

Onion Bulb trc.ucdavis.edu

Hemerocallis (Hemerocallidaceae, Asparagales) contractile roots. This was 5 cm deeper after approximately 10 months (1/3/ /27/94). Contractile roots act by expanding laterally and shrinking in length. Lilies, Daffodils, Crocuses, Dandelions (yes dandelions!) have contractile roots! From Putz, N Underground plant movement. V. Contractile root tubers and their importance to the mobility of Hemerocallis fulva L. (Hemerocallidaceae). Int. J. Plant Sci. 159:

Hemerocallus if planted too deep will move up. By making a long shoot with only scale leaves, developing adventitious roots higher up and aborting the older section of shoot and roots. (also from Putz 1998)

Ruscaceae (including the Convallariaceae) Smilacina stellata Smilacina racemosa Maianthemum canadense Polygonatum pubescens

Ruscus “leaves” are modified flattened photosynthetic branches. Note flowers come right out of these branches! Stems of Ruscus were bundled to clean butcher’s blocks. Hence the name Butcher’s Broom Family

Two species of Smilacina, False Solomon’s Seal, in the Convallariaceae (Lily-of-the-Valley Family) Note small 6-tepaled flowers.

Smilacina stellata Note small bisexual flowers, 6 distinct tepals (may be fused into a bell in other species), 6 anthers, NO spots, superior ovary.

Smilacina stellata fruit = berry.

Iridaceae Crocus spp. Iris spp.

Iridaceae Crocus sativus Saffron crocus (The spice, Saffron, is made of the stigmas) 6 Tepals 3 Stamens 3 Carpels(3-parted stigma)

Saffron is the long red stigma of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativa)

Asparagales, Iridaceae, Iris versicolor Stigma lobe Outer Tepal Inner Tepal Photo by Kenneth Walker

Asparagales Iridaceae Iris versicolor is our native wild iris (also called blue flag). Note: range below, Eastern US and Canada Note: Nectar Guides