Dear Newsgroup,

I have been unable to identify the perennial whose picture is posted
on the following newsgroup, under the name "unknown perennial".

alt.binaries.pictures.gardens

I can give a number of details - hopefully between the picture and the
details someone knows what this plant is.

The original plant grew in West Virginia - my mother had this in her
yard for many years, she claims. Last fall we dug it up and moved to
my home in Missouri. She calls it a vining plant, but so far it hasn't
shown any signs of vining.

The plant is about two feet high. I have it in a shady location, as
she said it was growing in such a location in West Virginia. So far it
seems to like the shade. It bloomed in April or early May - when the
picture was taken. Since then, the flowers have fallen off, but no
sign of fruit.

The leaves are glossy green, about 3" long and 1" wide, opposite,
simple edges, come to a point on both ends. There is a short leaf
stalk.

The flowers are fairly small, perhaps 1/2" across, with five white
petals. They are arranged in a loose umbel, issuing from the leaf
axils, as you can see in the picture. The stamens aren't at all
obvious - in fact, where I would expect stamens is a compact
compartmented button-line structure, pale yellow in color.

The plant has a loose, rambling habit. There is nothing for it to
climb on, perhaps that's why it hasn't shown any vining tendencies.
The branches barely support themselves, which is why it isn't any
taller.

Disregard the narrow leaves in the picture - apparently a lily of some
kind came along for the ride. This unknown lily didn't bloom. My
mother suspects it is a day lily; these don't do well in shade.

Any help will be appreciated. I've looked in my usual reference
sources and even tried some online keys, without any luck.

TIA,

Guy Bradley
Chesterfield MO
zone 6