388 PLANT NAMES AND SYNONYSIS 



a. T, Indica Medic. (S. Indica Vahl., V. Jamaicensis Medic). 

 Common to tropical countries. Gervao, Brazilian Tea. Leaves 

 used in Europe as a substitute for Chinese tea. 



2080. VALLESIA, E. & P. Vallesia. Apocynaceae. 



Shrubs or trees. About 5 species, tropical America; 1 in 

 U. S. 



2081. VALISNERIA, L. Tape-grass, Eel-grass. Valisneriaceac. 



Named for Antonio Vallisueri, Italian naturalist, d. 1730. 

 Aquatic perennials with grass-like leaves. One species, widely 

 distributed (U. 8. ). 



a. V. spiralis L, Temperate and warm regions of both hemi- 

 spheres. Tape-grass, Ee^-grass, Wild Celery or Water Celery 

 (Chesapeake Bay), Spring-plant (Australia). 



2082. VANCOUVERIA, Morr. & Dcsne. Berberidaceae. 



Named for Capt. Vancouver, English navigator, ISih Century. 

 Scapose perennials. Three species. Pacific coast of U. S. 



2083. VANILLA, Plum. Greenwithe, Purple-lip. Orchidaceae, 



From Latin (?), diminutive meaning "little pod". Robust 

 climbers. About 20 species, tropical regions of Old and New 

 World; 1 in U. S. 



a. Y. planifolia Andrews. Mexico and Central America. Vanilla. 

 The unripe fruit; Vanilla, U. S. P., Fructus Vanillae, P. O., 

 Siliqua vanillse; Ger., Fr. Vanille (Codex); Sp. Vainilla; Mex. 

 Baynilla. Used as a flavoring agent. Vanilla is obtained 

 from several other species, notably trom (b) V. microcarpa 

 Karst. of Venezuela; (c) V. Pompona Schiede, Brazil and 

 Peru and probably (d) V. (xiiianeu-ois Splitberger; not from 

 (e) V. aromdtica Swz., as is usually believed. 



2084. YARILLA, Gray. Varilla. Compositae. 



From vernacular name. Mexico. Shrubby plants with 

 thickened leaves and yellow flowers. Two species, one of 

 Mexico, one of Texas. 



2086. VARRONIA, P. Br. 1756. Sebesten, etc. Boragrinaceae. 

 Syn. Cordia, L,1763, Sebesten, Adans. 1753; Myxa, Pilicor- 

 dia, in part. The name Cordia is the older and has been adopt- 

 ed below. Trees or shrubs. About 200 species, warmer re- 

 gions; 4 in U. S. In West Indies the species are called "Elm". 



a. C. Myxa L. (C. Sebestena Forsk. not L., C. officinalis Lam.. S. 

 oflicinalis Gaertn., probably includes V. Abyssinica DC. and C. 

 Africana Lam.). India to Australia and western Africa. 

 Sebestan (Sebesten, Sapistan), Sebestan Plum, Assyrian Plum; 

 Ger. Schwarze Brustbeere. Bark a mild astringent. Fruit 

 mucilaginous, emollient. The following have similar proper- 

 ties and uses; (b) C. Boissieri DC., Texas to Mexico, 

 Anacahuita (a jelly made from the fruits used in coughs), and 

 (c) C. obliqua Willd. (C. latifolia Roxb. ) of India. 



d. C. Sebestena L. Florida to West Indies and northern S. 

 America. Geiger tree. 



