Zygadenus
(from zygos, a yoke, and aden, a gland; the glands are usually arranged in pairs at the base of the perianth segments). Erroneously spelt Zigadenus. Including Amianthemum and Anticlea. ORD. Liliaceae. A genus comprising about a dozen species of hardy, bulbous or rhizomatous plants; one is a native of Siberia, and the rest inhabit North America, extending as far as Mexico. Flowers in a terminal, simple or paniculately-branched raceme; perianth persistent, the segments sometimes connate at base in a very short, turbinate tube, in other cases distinct, sub-equal, flat; stamens six, little shorter than the segments. Leaves radical, or clustered at the base of the stem, long-linear. Stem erect, simple below the inflorescence, with or without a few small leaves. The best-known species are here described; all are North American. A moist, peat soil is best suited to their requirements. Propagation may be readily effected by divisions, or by seeds.
Z. angustifolius (narrow-leaved). fl., perianth white, turning purple, 1/8in. to 1/6in. long; lower pedicels five to six lines long; raceme 1in. to 3in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad. May and June. l. nearly 1ft. long, two to three lines broad, firmer and more distinctly ribbed than those of Z. Muscaetoxicum. Stem slender, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. high, with many reduced leaves. 1823. SYNS. Amianthium angustifolium, Helonias angustifolia, H. loeta minor (B. M. 1540). Z. elegans (elegant). A synonym of Z. glaucus.
Z. Fremonti (Fremont's). fl., perianth cream-coloured, five to six lines long, the segments oblong, obscurely clawed; racemes corymbose, 2in. to 4in. long, simple or paniculate. June. l. three or four, linear, rather firm, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, three to four lines broad, acuminate. 1874. Z. glaberrimus (highly glabrous).* fl., perianth white, five to six lines long, the segments oblong, acute, distinctly clawed; pedicels ascending, three to six lines long; racemes five to tenflowered, loosely paniculate, 1in. to 2in. long. June. l. linear, Grass-like, acuminate, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, three to four lines broad. Stem erect, with many reduced leaves. Rhizome creeping. h. 2ft. to 3ft. 1811. SYN. Helonias bracteata (B. M. 1703). Z. galucus (glaucous-leaved). fl., perianth greenish externally, whitish inside, five to six lines long, the segments oblong, thickly nerved; pedicels ascending, 1/2in. to 1in. long; racemes loose, 2in. to 4in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad, simple or loosely paniculate. Summer. l. four to six, firm, linear, glaucous-green, thickly nerved, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, 1/4in. to 1/2in. broad. Stem 6in. to 2ft. high, with a few reduced leaves. 1828. SYNS. Z. elegans, Helonias glaberrima (B. M. 1680).
Z. Muscaetoxicum (fly-poison). fl., perianth greenish-white, 1/8in. to 1/6in. long; lower pedicels 1/2in. to 3/4in. long; raceme dense, oblong, 2in. to 4in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad. Summer. l. many, linear-lorate, membranous, nearly 1ft. long, 1/4in. to 3/4in. broad, obtuse. Stem slender, 1ft. to 2ft. high, with a few much-reduced leaves, slightly thickened at base. 1758. (R. G. 1121, f. 1.) SYNS. Amianthium Muscaetoxicum, Helonias loeta (B. M. 803; L. B. C. 998).
Z. Nuttallii (Nuttall's). fl., perianth white, 1/8in to 1/4in. long; racemes often simple, dense above, 2in. to 3in., rarely 4in. to 6in., long; lower pedicels 1/2in. to 3/4in. long. June. l. four to six, firm, linear, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, 1/4in. to 1/2in. broad. Stem 6in. to 18in. high, with a few reduced leaves. 1883. (R. G. 1121, f. 2)