s Listera convallarioides.
P lant about a span high. Root consisting o f several fleshy palmate
divisions of an ochre-yellow colour. Stem simple, erect, bifoliate,
somewhat quadrangular, purple or carmine-red, sheathing at
base; sheaths whitish, tipped with umber-brown, from two to three
in number. Spike terminal, having a viscous pubescence of red
hairs, reddish below, green towards the apex, bearing ten, twelve or
fourteen flowers, garnished with minute, ovate bracts. Leaves opposite,
sometimes, though rarely, alternate, ovate, sub-acute, (not in
the least cordate, though they appear so,) three-nerved, smooth and
shining, somewhat paler underneath than above, the margin at the
base decurrent along the angles of the stem, three-nerved, pellucid.
Specimens occasionally occur with broad lanceolate leaves. Calix
yellowish-green, with purple stripes. Petals five, generally reflected,
the three exterior ovate, hollowed; the two interior longer and
convoluted. Lip from a quarter to half an inch long, divided; nearly
to its base, with two linear-acute segments, having the margin below
reflected. In the point of separation of the lip, a small tooth is
generally perceptible, but in many specimens it is wanting. Anther
persistent. Capsule ovate, membranaceous. Grows in shady
bogs of rich soil. Rare. In an extensive morass, shaded by a deep
pine wood, in Jersey, about two miles south-east of Philadelphia, it
grows abundantly, though it is likely to be overlooked from its inconspicuous
character.
The genus Listera was established on the characters given at the
Listera convallarioides. 9
head of this chapter by Brown, consisting of species from Ophrys.
The United States present us with two species, Listera pubescens and
the present one. No. 3. L. convallarioides, of Nuttall, I do not know.
Fig. 1. of the plate represents a common sized specimen of Listera
convallarioides; specimens are often smaller than this, and
some larger.
a. A side view of a flower.
b. An under view of the same, both enlarged.
VOL. II.