Uvularia
(from uvula, a diminutive of uva, a grape, or bunch of grapes; in allusion to the form of the fruit). Bellwort. Including Oakesia (of Watson). ORD. Liliaceae. A small genus (four or five species) of hardy, bulbous plants, natives of North America. Flowers solitary or twin at the tips of the branchlets, on rather long, pendulous pedicels; perianth usually pale yellow, campanulate, deciduous, the segments distinct, erect, or spreading above, the outer ones foveolate within at the base; stamens six. Leaves alternate, sessile or perfoliate, ovate or lanceolate. The species thrive in a light, sandy soil, and may be increased by divisions. All flower in spring. U. flava (yellow). A variety of U. perfoliata.
U. grandiflora (large-flowered).* fl. one to three, on pedicels 1/2in. to 3/4in. long; perianth 1 1/4in. to 1 1/2in. long, the segments lanceolate, acute, three to four lines broad; anthers six to eight lines long. l. oblong, membranous, perfoliate, glabrous, 2in. to 4in. long. 1802. Habit that of U. perfoliata, but rather more robust. (B. M. 1112; S. E. B. i. 51.) U. lanceolata (lanceolate-leaved). A form of U. perfoliata. U. perfoliata (perfoliate). fl. one or few, drooping, terminal; perianth 3/4in. to 1 1/4in. long, the segments lanceolate, acute, papillose within. l. six to twelve, perfoliate, oblong, sub-acute, membranous, 1 1/2in. to 3in. long, green above, paler beneath. Stems forked above. h. nearly 1ft. 1710. (B.M. 955; S. E. B. i. 49.) U. flava (S. E. B. i. 50) is a variety with larger and deeper-coloured flowers. U. lanceolata is merely a narrow-leaved form. U. puberula (puberulous). fl. few, terminal or axillary, on pedicels 1/4in. to 3/4in. long; perianth nearly 1in. long. l. six to fifteen, oblong, sessile, 1 1/2in. to 2in. long, acute or cuspidate, firmer than in the other species, green on both sides, the margins ciliated. Stem nearly 1ft. high, with two to four branches. 1824. (S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 21.) U. rosea (rosy). A synonym of Streptopus rescus.
U. sessilifolia (sessile-leaved).* fl. one to three, axillary or terminal, on pedicels 1/2in. to 3/4in. long; perianth 2/3in. to 1in. long, the segments lanceolate. l. six to fifteen, oblong, sessile, membranous, acute, 1 1/2in. to 3in. long, narrowed at base, slightly glaucous below. Stem glabrous, nearly or quite 1ft. high; branches tow to four. 1790. (B.M. 1402; L.B.C. 1262; S. E. B. i. 52.)