Melanthium

Melanthium
Melanthium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Melanthiaceae
Genus: Melanthium
Species
  • M. latifolium
  • M. parviflorum
  • M. virginicum
  • M. woodii

Melanthium is a genus of herbaceous perennial monocots native to North America. They are closely related to Veratrum, and in fact are included in that genus by some authors. The distinction between Melanthium and Veratrum is based on various morphological traits, but it is not yet clear where the line is best drawn.[1]

They contain alkaloids similar to those found in Veratrum and are thus assumed to be poisonous.[1]

Species

  • M. latifolium (Veratrum latifolium[2])
  • M. parviflorum (Veratrum parviflorum[1])
  • M. virginicum (Veratrum virginicum[1])
  • M. woodii (Veratrum woodii[1])

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "11. Melanthium Linnaeus". Flora of North America. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=120114. 
  2. ^ "Melanthiaceae Melanthium latifolium". International Plant Names Index. http://ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=323980-2.