282 PLANT NAMES AND SYNONYMS 



c. P. P^rsea ( L. ) Cockerell (L. Persea L., P. gratissimaGaertn., 

 L, Indica Sieb., not L. ). Mexico to Brazil and Peru, cult, in 

 all tropical countries. Avocado Pear, Avocado (Avicato, 

 Avigato, Avocat, corrupted from Ahuaca or Aqnacata, verna- 

 cular names), Alligator^ Pear, Holy-ghost Pear; Fr. Avoca tier. 

 Fruit Vegetable butter, Midshipman's butter. Vegetable mar- 

 row*; esculent. Seeds anthelmintic, anodyne. 



1647. PETALONYX, Gray. Petalonyx. Loasaceae. 



Herbs. Two species, Mexican border of U. S. 



1548. PETASITES, Gaerln. Sweet Coltsfoot, etc. Compositae. 



Ancient Greek plant name, meaning a "hat", from resem- 

 blance of the leaves. Syn. Tussilago, I^ardosmia. in part. 

 Scapose herbs from thick rootstocks. About 12 species, north 

 temperate zone and northward; 4 in U. S, 



a, P. Petasites (L.) Karst. (T. PetasitesL., P. officinalis Moench, 

 P. vulgaris Desf. ). Europe and northern Asia, adv, in U, S. 

 Butter-bur, Butterfly Dock, Butter Dock, Kettle Dock, Batter 

 Dock, Flea Dock, Bog Rhubarb, Poison Rhubarb, Pestilence- 

 weed, Pestilencewort, Umbrella-leaf, Cleat, Eldin, Gallon, Ox- 

 wort. Boot anthelmintic. Flowers diaphoretic. 



1549. PETERIA, Gray. Peteria. Papilioiiaceae. 



Shrubs with pinnate leaves. Two species, Mexican border of 



U.S. 



1560. PETIVERIA, L. Guinea-hen weed. Phytolaocaceae. 



Named for J. Petiver F. R. S., London apothecaiy, d. 1718. 

 Undf rshrubs having a garlic-like odor. About 5 species, warm- 

 er regions of America; 1 in U. S. 



a. P. allidcea L. Southeastern U. S., West Indies to Brazil. 

 Guinea-hen weed (Jamaica), Strong-man's weed. P/a7i^ acrid, 

 used as a counter-irritant for relief of toothache, etc. 



1551, PETRAD6rIA, Greene. Petradoria. Compositae. 



Syn. Solidago, in part. Herb. One species, western U. S. 



1562. PETROSELINUM, Hoffm. Parsley. Umbelliferae. 



Ancient Greek plant name, "rock parsley", whence the 

 English word parsley. Syn. Carum, Apium, in part. Herbs. 

 About 3 species, Mediterranean region. 



a. P. Petroseliiiuni (L. ) Lyons (A. Petroselinum L., C. Petro- 

 selmum Benth. (Kew), P, sativum HofFm. ). Southern Europe 

 to Asia Minor, and widely cult. Paisley (Perceley, Persel, Par- 

 sil, Parcel), Apyum, March, Garden or Common Paiisley, Rock 

 Parsley; Ger. Petersilie, Petersilge; Fr. Pereil; Sp. Peiegil. 

 Fruit, Fructus petroselini, Fruct. (Semen) apii hortensis; source 

 of apiol, an efficient emmenagogue. Boot diuretic. 



1553. PETUNIA, Juss. Petunia. Solanaceae. 



From petuv, a Brazilian name of "tobacco". Viscid pubes- 

 cent herbs. About 12 species. South America. Two species are 

 commonly cult, in gardens, (a) P. axillaris (Lam. ) B. S. P. 

 [P. nyctaginiflora Juss. (Kew)], White Petunia, and (b) P. 

 yioldcea Lindl., Purple (or often Variegated) Petunia. 



