Virginia bunchflower
Melanthium virginicum L.
Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, simple, floccose.
- Leaves
- Basal and cauline, alternate, simple, sessile; parallel-veined; blade linear, 12 to 32 inches long, .25 to 1.25 inch wide, floccose, base sheathing, apex attenuate, margins entire.
- Inflorescence
- Terminal, paniculate, 50-300-flowered, 8 to 16 inches.
- Flower
- Bisexual or proximal sometimes unisexual and staminate; tepals 6, petal-like, cream-colored or greenish white, later turning green or light purple, ovate to oblong, .2 to .5 inch, spreading, base prominently clawed, base with 2 yellow or greenish yellow glands; stamens 6, filaments fused to base of tepals.
- Fruit
- Capsules, elliptic-ovoid, .4 to .7 inch, splitting longitudinally; seeds yellow or tan, flat, .2 to .3 inch, broadly winged.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Mesic tallgrass prairies
- Distribution
- East 1/6 of Kansas
Additional Notes
Comments
Plants from stout rhizomes.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Melanthiaceae - Bunchflower Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 2-8 feet
- Origin
- Native
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-04
Color Groups
White, Green & Greenish White Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: June, July