122 PLANT NAMES AND SYNONYMS' 



699. CRITHMUM, L. - Samphire. - Umbelliferae. 



A succulent herb. One species, Old AVorld. 



a. C. maritimum L. Coasts of Europe. Samphire (Sampere,. 

 Semper, originally Sampler from the French, Saint Pierre, i. e. 

 St. Peter; the Latin name was Petrus, meaning a rock i)lant, 

 with no reference to the Apostle Peter), Oamphire, Crest-ma- 

 rine, Pasper. Peter's Cress, Rock-semper, Sea Fennel. Leaves 

 used for pickles, etc. 



600. CKOCIDItM, Hook. Crocidium. Compositae. 



From Greek, "woolly, alluding to axils of leaves. Small 

 winter-annual with golden yellow flowers. One species, north- 

 ern California and northward. 



601. CROCUS, L. - - Safiron. - - Iridacf ae. 



The ancient Greek name. Ornamental herbs with tuberous 

 roots. About 70 species, Mediterranean region to central Asia. 



a. C. sativus L. (C. officinalis Martyn). Western Asia, cult, in 

 southern Europe. Saflron, Autumnal Crocus, Spanish Saf- 

 fron. Saffron raised in Pennsylvania is locally known as Amer- 

 ican Saffron, a name elsewhere applied to Carthamus, q. v. 

 Stigmaa; Crocuf, U. S. P., Br., Stigmata Croci, Saffron; Ger. 

 Fr. Safran ( Codex ); Sp. Azafran; aromatic, diaphoretic, em- 

 menagogue. (b. ) C. serotiinis Salisb. (C. odorus Bivona) 

 of southern Europe also yields Satiron. 



602. CROOMIA, Torr. Croomia. Roxburghiaceae. 



Herbs. Two species, one of Japan, one of Florida. 



603. CROSSOPTERYX, Fenzl. Crossopteryx. Rubiaceae. 

 From Greek, "tassel wing". Trees with bitter bark. One or 



two species, Africa. 



a. C. febrifusra Benth. (C. Kotschyana Fenz. ). Tropical Africa. 

 Bark febrifuge, containing a bitter alkaloid. 



604. CKOSSOSOMA, Nutt. Crossosoma. Ramiiiculaceae. 



Sub-shrubs. Two known species, California. 



605. CROTALARIA, L. Eattle-box. Papilioiiaceae. 



From Greek, "rattle" (pod. ) Herbs, sometimes shrubby. 

 About 250 species, mostly tropical; 9 in U. S. 



a. C. jiincea L. Southern Asia, nat. in Australia, etc. Yields a 

 strong tibre called Bengal, Bombay, Madras or Sunn hemp. 

 A valuable fodder plant. Several other species yield useful 

 fibres, notably (b) C. Biirllia Hamilton of Afghanistan, and 

 (c) C. retusa L., East-Indies, nat. in Brazil. 



d. C. sagittalis L. Eastern U. S. to Mexico. Rattle-box, Wild 

 Pea, Loco- weed*. See Astragalus (c) and '^p), also Spiesia. 



606. CR6tO>% L. - Croton. - Eiiphorbiaceae. 



Greek name of Ricinus, both words meaning a "tick". Syn. 

 Aleurites, Clutia, Tigliuin, in part. Herbs or shrubs. About 

 600 species, warm and temperate regions; 25 in U. S. 



