SCIENTIFIC AND POPULAR. 353 



1881. SPARGANIUM, L. Bur-reed, Levers. Sparganiaceae, 

 Ancient Greek name, from ribbon-like leaves. Aquatic or 



paludal plants with globose flower-heads. About 12 species, 

 cooler regions; 6 in U. S. Synonyms are Bur-flag, Bede-sedge 

 (-segg, -seggin), Knop-sedge, Reed-grass. 



1882. SPARTIUM, L. Spanish Broom. Papilionaceae. 



Latin from the Greek name, signifying "cordage". Syn. 

 Genista, Spartianthus, in part. Shrub, nearly leafless, with 

 fragrant yellow blossoms. One species, Mediterranean region. 



a. S. junceum L. (S. junceus Link, G. Hispanica Lam.). Medi- 

 terranean region and Canary Islands. Spanish Broom. Tivigs 

 and seeds bitter, diuretic, emeto-cathartic. 



1883. SPA THYEMA, Baf. 1808. Skunk Cabbage. Araceae. 

 From Greek, referring to the spathe. Syn. Symplocarpus, 



Salisb. 1818, Ictodes, Bigel. 1819;Pothos, Dracontium, in part. 

 Perennial herb. One species, northern Asia and North Amer- 

 ica (U. S.). 



a. S. fo^tida (L.) Raf. (D. foetidum L., L foetidus Bigel. , Symp- 

 locarpus foetidus Nutt., P. foetida Michi. ). Canada and east- 

 ern U. S. Skunk Cabbage, Skunk-weed, Polecat-weed, Mea- 

 dow Cabbage, Swamp Cabbage, Col lard. Fetid Hellebore, 

 Stinking Poke, Pock-weed; Ger. Stinkende Drachenwurz; Fr. 

 Pothos fetide. Bhizome a,nd roots, Dracontium, U. S. P. 1870; 

 acrid, expectorant, antispasmodic. 



1884. SPERGULA, L. Spurry. Caryophyllaceae. 



From Latin, "scattering" its seeds. Obscure annuals. Two 

 or three species, weeds of C)ld World. 



a. S. arrensis L. Europe and Asia, adv. in U. S. Spurry, 

 Corn Spurry, Beggar- weed. Cow-quake, Devil' s-guts. Farmer' s- 

 ruin, Pick-purse, Pine-cheat, Sand-weed, Yarr; Ger. Acker- 

 spergel; Fr. Spergule. Plant occasionally grown for fodder. 



1886. SPERMAC6CE, L. Button-weed. Rubiaceae. 



From Greek, "seed" and "point". Herbs with small clus- 

 tered flowers. About 175 species, tropical regions of Old and 

 New World; 4 in U. S. Several species furnish substitutes for 

 Ipecac. 



1886. SPERM6lEPIS, Raf.l825,not Brongn.l863.Umbelliferae. 



From Greek "seed" and "scale". Syn. Leptocaulis, Nutt. 

 1829; Daucus, Apium (Kew), in part. Slender annuals with 

 dissected leaves. Two species, southern U. S. 



1887. SPHACELE, Benth. Sphacele. Labiatae. 

 From Greek, "sage like". Strong-scented shrubs, warmer 



regions of New World; 2 in western U. S. 



1888. SPHAERALCEA, St. Hil. 1825. Globe Mallow. Malvaceae. 

 From Greek, "globe Mallow". Syn. Phymosia, Desv. 1825. 



Herbs or shrubs. About 35 species, America and S. Africa; 23 

 in southwestern U. S. (a) S. Cisplatina St. Hil. of Brazil is 

 used like marsh-mallow. 



