Arethusa, dragon’s-mouth, aréthuse [Greek Arethusa, mythical river nymph]

Charles J. Sheviak & Paul M. Catling

Herbs, perennial. Roots few, slender, fleshy. Stems scapose, at base a bulbous corm. Leaves solitary, basal; blade subtended by 2–3 tubular sheaths, obscurely plicate, linear-lanceolate, developing during and after anthesis. Inflorescences terminal; floral bracts minute. Flowers solitary (rarely 2), resupinate, erect, showy; anther with pair of soft yellow-green pollinia; stigma emergent, with free lateral lobes. Fruits capsules, erect.

Species 1: North America.

Lower Taxon

• Arethusa bulbosa Linnaeus