SCIEXTIFIC AND POPULAR. 319 



e. R. offlciuiile Baill. Central Asia. Chinese Rhubarb plant. 

 Believed to be the source of the best Chinese rhubarb. Root 

 Rhubarb; Rheum, U. S. P., Rliei Radix, Br.; Ger. Rhabarber, 

 Echte Rhabarber; Fr. Rhubarbe de Chine (Codex); Sp. Rui- 

 barbo. La.xative, cathartic, but also astringent. 



d. R, palmatum L. Central Asia, cult, in Europe. Rhubarb 



plant. Source of the Rus-^iau rhubarb formerly highly valued 

 and of some of the European rhubarb; Fr. Rhubarbe de Mos- 

 00 vie (Codex). Properties of (c). 



e. R. Rhaponticiim L. Eastern Europe and central Asia. Rha- 



pontic Rhubarb, Pie-plant, Wine Rhubarb; Ger. Rhapontik- 

 rhabarber, Inlandische Rhabarber, Fr. Rhapontic (Codex, 

 employed only in veterinary medicine). Root. Radix rhei indi- 

 geni V. nostratis. Roots constitute French, English and Hun- 

 garian rhubarb which are inferior to Chinese rhubarb. LeaJ 

 sto Iks enculent. Some other species, as (f) R. imdulatum L. 

 and (g) R. Tatarieum L. fil. are used in a similar manner. 



1724. RHEXIA, K. Meadow-Beauty. Melastomaceae. 



A Greek plant name, ineaning "brittle". Perennial herbs 

 with showy flowers. About 10 species, all in U. S. 



a. R, vii'ginicji L. Eastern U. S. Meadow-beauty, Deer-grass, 

 Handsome- Harry. 



1725. RHIN ACANTHUS, Xees. Rhinacanthus. Aeaiithaceae. 



From Greek, "nose Acanthus", alluding lo shape of flower. 

 Shrubs. About 6 species, natives of India. 



a. R. communis Nees. (Justicia nasuta L. ). India to China. 

 Ringworm-root. Leaves and root, containing rhinacanthin, used 

 for cure of ringworm. 



1726. RHINANTHUS, L. Rattle-box, etc. Scrophiilariaceae. 



From Greek, "nose flower". Herbs. About 3 species, 

 northern hemisphere; 1 in U. S. ^ 



a. R. Crista-Cralli L. [R. minor Erhr. (Kew)]. Northern 

 Europe, Asia and X. America. Rattle, Rattle-box, Yellow or 

 Penny Rattlo, Penny-grass, Rattle-bags, Money-grass, Yellow 

 Cockscomb. Plant insectiiide. 



1727. RHIZ6pH0RA, L. Mangrove. Rhizophoraceae. 



From Greek, "root bearing". Trees with aerial roots. 

 About 3 species, tropical coasts and rivt-r margins; 1 in U.S. 



a. R. Mangle L. (R. racemosa Meyer, R. Americana Nutt. ). 

 Florida, and on tropical shores generally. Mangrove, Manque, 

 Red Mangrove (a variety); Fr. Manglier. Bar/: astringent, 

 febrifuge, used in dyeing and tanning. 



1728. RHODODENDRON, L. Rose-Bay, etc. Ericaceae. 

 From Greek, "rose tree", name originally applied to the 



Oleander. Evergreen shrubs, with showy flowers. About 100 

 species, northern hemisphere, especially iu Asia; 10 in U. S. 



a. R. Catawbiense Michx. Virginia to Georgia. Mountain 

 Rose- bay, Catawba or Caroliua Rhododendron. Highly orna- 

 mental. 



