THE AMERICAN BOTANIST ISl 



"dragon's claw," or "turkey claw" is Corollorrhica odonto- 

 rhiza and the "dragon's claws" is C. maculata. The first is 

 the "small coral-root" and the scc(^nd naturally the "large 

 coral-root." It is likel\- that the- idea of claws associated 

 with these plants is due to the knotted and scaly appearance 

 of the rootstock. Corallorrhiza odontorhiza is the "late 

 coral-r(X)t" and C. tripda is of course the "early" one. 

 "Crawley-root," apj)licd to C. odontorhiza is likely a mis- 

 pronuciation of coral-root. 



Hexalectris a/yliylla is the "crested coral-root" and 

 Scrapias JicUchorinc is the "false helleborine," the true one, 

 as we have indicated, being a species of the Ranunculaceae. 

 Our species recently rejoiced in the name of Bpipactis helle- 

 borine, but the generic name has now been adopted for the 

 curious little specimens known as rattlesnake plantains. 

 Epipactis puhcscens, as one of the representative specimens 

 is now called, is still anotiier witness to the association of 

 harmless plants \vith poisonous serpents. In this case there 

 is slightly more reason for the name for the leaves are finely 

 reticulated with white which might be held to simulate scales. 

 Besides "downy rattlesnake plantain" the plant is known as 

 "rattlesnake weed," "rattlesnake leaf" and "adder's violet." 

 The names of "net-leaf" and "spotted plantain" are self- 

 explanatory. "Scrophula weed" alludes to reputed medicinal 

 properties but "rat's bane" seems to be a manufactured name 

 if ncjt, periiaps, a careless rendering of "rattlesnake plantain." 

 Epipoctis re pens is the "lesser rattlesnake plantain," "white 

 plantain" and "scjuirrel's ear." all of which are suggested by 

 the leaves. The derivation of "creeping-root plant" is obvi- 

 ous. 



Owing to the resemblance of its blossoms to the crane- 

 fly, Tipularia dieolor is called "crane-fly orchis." It is also 

 known as "tallow-root" from the nature of the underground 



