244 PLANT NAMES AND SYNONYMS 



1303. MELITTIS, L. 1753. Bastard Balm. Lablatae. 

 From Greek, "honey". Syn. Melissophyllon, Adans. 1763. 



Herb with showy flowers. One species, Europe, (a) M. 

 Melissophyllum L. (M. melissi^efolium Salisb. ). Bastard 

 Balm; formerly reputed diuretic and lithontriptie. 



1304. MELOCHIA, L. Melochia, Sterculiaceae. 



Tomentose herbs or sub-shrubs. About 50 species, tropical 

 regions of both hemispheres; 2 in U. S. 



1305. MEL6tHRIA, L. Creeping Cucumber. Ciiciirbitaceae. 



Old Greek plant name. Vines with small monoecious flowers. 

 About 65 species, chiefly of Old World; 1 in U. S. (a) M. 

 pendula L., of southeastern U. S. to Mexico, is called Creep- 

 ing Cucumber. 



1306. MENISPERMUM, L. Moonseed. Meiiispermaceae. 



From Greek, "moon seed", alluding to crescentic shape of 

 seeds. Dioecious vines. About 4 species, 3 of eastern Asia; 1 

 in U. S. 



a. M. Canadense L. Canada to Georgia, west to Arkansas. 

 Canada Moonseed, Yellow Parilla, Texas or Yellow Sarsa- 

 parilla. Vine Maple; Ger. Canadisches Mondkorn; Fr. Meni- 

 sperme du Canada. Rhizome and roots; Menispermnm, U. S. P., 

 bitter tonic, alterative, diuretic. 



1307. MEN0D6rA, Humb. & Bonp. Menodora. Oleaceae. 

 From Greek, "gift of power". Syn. Bolivaria, in part. 



Sub-shrubs. About 15 species, mostly of Mexico and adjacent 

 region; 6 in U. S. 



1308. MENTHA, L. - Mint. - Labiatae. 

 The Latin name of Mint. Syn. Pulegium, in part. Herbs 



with odorous foliage. About 30 species, north temperate zone; 

 12 in U. S.; Ger. Minze; Fr. Menthe. 



a. M. arvensis L. Europe, nat. in U.S. Corn Mint, Field Mint^ 



Lamb' s-tongue, Wild Pennyroyal, Water Calamint; Ger. 

 Feldminze. Var. piper^scens Malinvaud is the source in part 

 of Japanese oil of peppermint, and of menthol. 



b. M. Canadensis L. (M. borealis Michx. ). British America, 



south to \'irginia and N. Mexico. American Wild Mint. 

 Var. glabrata Benth. is also a source of Japanese or Chinese 

 oil of peppermint and of menthol. 



e. M. citrata Erhr. [M. aquatica L. (Kew)]. Europe, adv. in 



U. S. Bergampt Mint, Bishop's- weed*, Fish Mint. 



d. M. crispa L. (M. aquatica var. crispa Benth.). Europe; adv. 

 in U. S. Crisped- leaved Mint, Curled or Cross Mint, Balm 

 Mint; Ger. Krauseminze. Leaves of this and of (e) M. crisp- 

 ata Schrad., perhaps a variety of (j), are the Folia menthse 

 crispje of the P. G. 



f. M. longifolia (L. ) Huds. (M. sylvestris L. 1763 (Kew), M. 



spicata var. longifolia L. 1753). Europe, nat. inU. S. Euro- 

 pean Horsemint, Brook Mint, Fish Mint, Water Mint. 



