40 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS 



AZA 



sorts, the results of careful and skillful 

 cross-fertilization. We are largely indebted 

 for our finer sorts to the nurserymen at 

 Ghent, Belgium. They are increased easily 

 in spring by cuttixigs of the half-ripened 

 young shoots. 

 Aza'ra. Named after J. N. Azara, a Spanish 

 promoter of botany. Nat. Ord. Flacourtiacece. 

 A genus of evergreen shrubs, natives of 

 Chili. A. Gilliesii, is the most desirable 

 species. Its leaves are evergreen, somewhat 

 resembling the Holly; flowers yellow, pro- 



BAL 



duced in axillary clusters. Propagated by 

 cuttings. Introduced in 1844. 

 Azo'lla. A very curious genus of aquatic cryp- 

 togamous plants found floating upon the 

 water, forming green or reddish patches, 

 throwing down rootlets on the under side, 

 amongst which are situated, principally in 

 the axils of the leaves, the organs of fructifi- 

 cation. The species occur in Australia, and 

 New Zealand. The only native species, A. 

 Caroliniana, is found in still water, from New 

 York to Wisconsin, and southward. 



B. 



Babla'na. From babianer, the Dutch for 

 baboon; in reference to the bulbs being 

 eaten by baboons. Nat. Ord. Iridacem. 



A genus of Cape plants, with solid bulbs or 

 corms, which are eaten by the Hottentots, and 

 which, when roasted, are said to resemble 

 chestnuts. All the species have showy flow- 

 ers, of various colors, blue predominating. 

 Some of the varieties are finely variegated. 

 They succeed in very sandy loam, and may be 

 grown either in pots for ornamenting the 

 green-house, or planted in a cold frame, where, 

 if protected from frost in winter, they may bo 

 allowed to remain altogether. They increase 

 rapidly by offsets. Introduced from the Cape 

 of Good Hope in 1757. 



Babingto'nia. Named in compliment to Charles 

 Babington, of Cambridge, England, a distin- 

 guished botanist. Nat. Ord. Myrtacece. 



B. camphorosmw, the only species of import- 

 ance in this genus, is a graceful green-house 

 shrub from New Holland. It is of easy culti- 

 vation, and produces flowers freely during the 

 summer months, in terminal clusters, color 

 white or pinkish. The branches have a droop- 

 ing habit, giving the plant a graceful outline. 

 Propagated by cuttings. Introduced in 1842. 



Baby's Breath. See Muscari; also a local 

 name for Gypsophila paniculata. 



Baccate. Having a pulpy or succulent texture ; 

 berried, fleshy. 



Bac'charis. Groundsel-tree. From Bacchus, 

 the god of wine ; referring to the spicy odor of 

 the roots. The ancients sometimes boiled 

 down their wines and mixed them with such 

 spices. Nat. Ord. ComjiositcB. 



This genus consists of upward of 200 spe- 

 cies, all South American except three, two of 

 which are found from Massachusetts south- 

 ward, and the third in California. They are 

 tall-growing shrubs, and distinguished from 

 their allies by having the male flowers on one 

 plant and the females on another. The fertile 

 plant of the native B. halimifolia is very con- 

 spicuous in the autumn by its very long and 

 white pappus. There is a singular and remark- 

 able fact in relation to one of the species, B. 

 Douglassi, which is found in California and in 

 Chili, without being found in any intervening 

 place. The medicinal properties of some of the 

 South American species are highly esteemed 

 for fevers and rheumatism. 



Bachelor's Buttons. A garden name given to 

 the flowers of Centaurea Cyanits, Globe Ama- 

 ranthus, and to the double-flowering buttercup. 

 Ranunculus acris, fl. pi. 



Ba'ctris. From baktron, a cane ; the young 

 stems being used for walking sticks. Nat. 

 Ord. PalmaceoB. 



A genus comprising several species of 

 slender-growing palms, inhabiting the West 

 Indies, Central and South America. They do 

 not rank with the handsomest of palms, 

 although when young they are of an orna- 

 mental character. B. inlegrifolia, a native of 

 Rio Negro, is an elegant species, with a 

 slender reed-like stem, producing a small 

 crown of dark-green leaves, densely armed with 

 long, flat, black spines. It can be used with 

 beautiful effect for table decoration. B. Mar- 

 aja, the Marajah Palm of Brazil, grows upon 

 the banks of the Amazon and other rivers. It 

 is the largest species of the genus, its t'-unk 

 attaining the height of fifty feet. It is thickly 

 armed with spines, and has a succulent, 

 I'ather acid but agreeably-tasted fruit, from 

 which a vinous beverage is prepared. B. 

 minor, has a stem from twelve to fifteen feet 

 high, and seldom more than an inch in 

 diameter. Its stems are very smooth, and are 

 used for walking-sticks. 



Bae'ria. In honor of Professor Baer of the 

 University of Dorpat. Nat Ord. CompositcB. 



A genus of bright yellow Californian annu- 

 als, with solitary terminal flowers about one 

 inch across. They are pretty and desirable, 

 B. chrysostoma being of dwarf, slender, erect 

 habit, and very showy. Propagated by seeds 

 sown in spring. 



Bahi'a. Name probably from the port of Bahia 

 in South America. Nat. Ord. CompositcB. 



B. lanata, the only described species, is an 

 ornamental, hardy herbaceous perennial, 

 much branched from the base of the stem, 

 and having a greyish appearance. It produces 

 its large yellow flower heads in great pro- 

 fusion, and is readily increased by seeds or 

 division. 



Bala'ntium. A name proposed for a genus of 

 Ferns, now considered synonymous with Dick- 

 sonia. 



Bald Cypress. See Taxodium distichum. 



Balloon Vine. See Cardiospermum. 



