{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants}} {{automatic taxobox |image = Veratrum parviflorum1SHSU.jpg |image_caption = ''Melanthium parviflorum'' |taxon = Melanthium |authority = L. |subdivision_ranks = Species |subdivision = }}
'''''Melanthium''''' is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants 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.<ref name="fna">{{cite web | url = http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=120114 | title = ''Melanthium'' Linnaeus | work = Flora of North America }}</ref>
They contain alkaloids similar to those found in ''Veratrum'' and are thus assumed to be poisonous.<ref name="fna" />
==Species== The [http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=281516 World Checklist] considers ''Melanthium'' as a synonym of ''Veratrum'', and accepts no species as members of ''Melanthium.'' Nor does Plants of the World Online.[http://www.tropicos.org/Name/40016308 Tropicos] does likewise, adding that proposals have been made to reject the name ''Melanthium'' entirely.<ref>Zomlefer, W. B., W. S. Judd & K.N. Gandhi. 2010. (1928) Proposal to conserve the name ''Veratrum'' against ''Melanthium'' (Melanthiaceae). Taxon 59(2): 644-645.</ref> [http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/search?q=Melanthium The Plant List], World Flora Online and [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=120114 Flora of North America], however, do accept the following names in ''Melanthium:'' * ''Melanthium latifolium'' or ''Veratrum hybridum'' - eastern United States from Connecticut to Alabama and Arkansas * ''Melanthium parviflorum'' or ''Veratrum parviflorum'' - southern Appalachians from Virginia to Alabama * ''Melanthium virginicum'' or ''Veratrum virginicum'' - eastern United States and Mississippi Valley from New York to Iowa south to Texas and Florida * ''Melanthium woodii'' or ''Veratrum woodii'' - central + southeastern United States
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2708136}}
Category:Melanthiaceae Category:Melanthiaceae genera Category:Flora of the United States
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