SCIENTIFIC AND POPULAR. 303 



1654. POROPHYLLUM, Vaill. Porophyllum. Compositae. 



From Greek, *'pore leaved", the leaves having pellucid dots. 

 Herbs or sub-shrubs. About 30 species, New World; 3 in U. S. 



1655. PORTERANTHUS, Britton, 1894. Rosaceae. 

 Named for Prof. T. C. Porter of Lafayette College. Syn. 



Gillenia, Moench 1802, not Gillena, Adans. 1763; Spiraea, 

 in part. Perennial herbs with rather large white or pinkish 

 flowers. Two species, both in U. S. 



a. P. stipulatus (Muhl.) Brit. (S. stipulata Muhl., G. stipulacea 



Nutt. ). New York to Louisiana and Indian Territory. Amer- 

 ican Ipecac, Indian Physic, with other synonyms of (b). 



b. P. trifolijitus (L. ) Brit. (S. trifoliataL.,G. trifoliata Moench). 



New York to Georgia, west to Missouri. Indian Physic, Bow- 

 man's- root, Indian Hippo, False Ipecac, Western Dropwort, 

 Meadow-sweet*. Root emetic, expectorant. 



1656. PORTULACA, L. Portulaca, Purslane. Portiilacaceae. 



The Latin name, Fleshy herbs, blossomiug in brighi sun- 

 shine. About 30 species, mostly of New World; 9 in U. S. 



a. P. grandiflora Hook. South America, cult, in gardens and 



adv. in U. S. Garden Portulaca, Sun plant, Showy Portulaca, 

 French or Garden Purslane, Wax Pink, Mexican Eose, Rose 

 Moss, Kentucky Moss. 



b. P, oleracea L. Tropical America, nat. in U. S. and widely 



elsewhere. Purslane, Purslain, (Pursley, Pussley). Used as 

 a pot herb. Reputed vulnerary and antiscorbutic. 



1657. POTAMOGETON, L. Pondweed. Naidaceae. 

 The Gr«-ek name of apond weed, **river inhabitant". Aqua- 

 tic plants with leaves either floating or submerged. About 60 

 well-detined species, temperate regions; 38 in U. S. The spe- 

 cies are called also Water-spike and Pickerel- weed* 



a. P. natans L. Europe, Asia and N. America. Common Float- 

 ing Pondweed, Deil's-spoons, Batter-dock, Flatter-dock, Fish- 

 leaves, Tench-weed, (b) P. crispiis L. is called Curly-leaved 

 Pondweed, Water Caltropsf, Muckweed; (c) P. liiceiiS L., 

 Cornstalk-weed, Shining P(mdweed; (d) F. pectiuatus L., 

 Fennel-leaved Pond-weed, Pond-grass. 



1658. POTENTILLA, L. Barren Strawberry, etc. Rosaceae. 

 Latm, diminutive of poiens, ''powerful" (medicinally). Syn. 



Tormentilla, in part. Herbs or shrubs. About 150 species, 

 nearly all of north temperate zone; 90 in U. S. 



a. P. Anserina L. Europe, Asia and N. America. Silverweed, 



Silver-feather, Wild Agrimonyf, Buttercup* Caraoroche, Wild 

 Tansy, Goose Tansy, Goose-grass, Dog's Tansy (Scotland), 

 Argentina; Ger. Giinserich, Silberkraut; Fr. Argentine (Codex) 

 Anserine. Plant astringent, tonic. 



b. P. argentea L. Europe, Asia, Canada and northeastern U. S. 



Silvery Cinquefoil, Hoary Cinquefoil. Included in the Argen- 

 tine of the French Codex. 



