Polygonatum latifolium
Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 9: 50. 1807.
Rhizomes shallowly set, 1–2 cm thick. Stems arching, angled, 1–12 dm, sparsely hirsute distally; sheathing bract cauline, papery, caducous. Leaves short-petiolate, 7–12.5 × 3–7 cm; blade elliptic-lanceolate to ovate, glabrous adaxially, minutely hairy or pilose on abaxial veins, apex abruptly acuminate; prominent veins 3–9. Inflorescences in most leaf axils except distalmost and proximal 2–4; peduncle reflexed, axillary 2–3(–4)-flowered. Flowers: perianth whitish, tipped with green, tube 10–18 mm, distinct tips 3 mm; stamens inserted near middle of perianth tube; filaments glabrous or sparsely downy. Berries 6–9 mm. 2n = 20.
Phenology: Flowering early–late spring.
Habitat: Roadside thickets
Elevation: 0–200 m
Distribution
Introduced; Mass., N.H., N.Y., Vt., Europe.
Discussion
This European species is locally naturalized in New England (R. Angelo and D. E. Boufford 2000; D. W. Magee and H. E. Ahles 1999).
Selected References
None.