216 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS 



L^ 



distinct in color, and very handsome, on 

 spikes of varied length, from the top of their 

 pseudo-bulbs. These plants merit a place in 

 every collection, and will amply repay the 

 cultivator for any care they may require ; in- 

 deed, the Lceliaa are among our finest Orchids, 

 whether for winter or summer flowering." — B. 

 is. Williams. All the species are natives of 

 Mexico and South America, and were first in- 

 troduced in 1835. 

 Laevigate. Having the appearance of being 



polished, as many seeds. 

 Laevis. Free from asperities or hairs, or any 



sort of unevenness. 

 Lagena'ria. Bottle Gourd. From legena, a 

 bottle ; referring to the shape of the fruit of 

 some species. Nat. Ord. Cucurbitacem. 



L. vulgaris, the only species is an East In- 

 dian species of Gourd, sometimes grown on 

 account of its curious shape. Like most of 

 the order, the pulp is poisonous. The com- 

 mon name does not indicate the shape of all 

 the varieties, some being pear-shaped, some 

 nearly round, and others egg-shaped. They 

 should be sown at the same time as Melons 

 and Squashes, and should have a trellis or 

 brush to run upon. Introduced in 1597. 

 Lagerstrce'mia. In honor of Magnus Lageratram 

 of Gottenburgh. Nat. Ord. Lythracew. 



A genus of handsome, free-flowering shrubs 

 from India. L. Indica is commonly known as 

 Crape Myrtle, and is a favorite half-hardy 

 shrub. It can be planted out in the border in 

 spring, and will bloom profusely during mid- 

 summer. At the approach of winter take it 

 up, put it in a tub or box. and keep it in the 

 cool part of the green-house or in a dry cellar, 

 giving but very little water. There are several 

 varieties of this species, having purple, pink, 

 and white flowers. The latter is rather a shy 

 bloomer, and is of dwarfer habit. Propagated 

 by cuttings. 

 Lage'tta. Lace Bark. Lagetto is the name of 

 the species at Jamaica. Nat Ord. Thymelace/B. 

 A genus of West Indian, tall-growing trees, 

 interesting from the peculiar formation of the 

 bark of some of the species. The inner bark 

 of L. lintearia consists of numerous concentric 

 layers of fibers which are interlaced in all 

 directions, and thus presents a great degree 

 of resemblance to lace, whence the common 

 name of the tree. 

 Lagu'rus. Hare's-tail Grass. From lagos, a 

 hare, and oura, a tail; on account of the 

 resemblance of its head. Nat. Ord. Gramin- 

 aceoe. 



L. ovatus, the only species, is found in 

 the Island of Guernsey, and some parts of 

 Asia, and is one of the handsomest of culti- 

 vated annual grasses. 

 La'lage. Named after Lalage, a gay, witty dame, 

 immortalized by Horace. Nat. Ord. Legumi- 

 nosoB. 

 \ A small genus of ornamental shrubs, natives 



1 of the south-west coast of Australia. The 

 I flowers are either yellow or mixed orange, 

 violet, or crimson, and are produced in axil- 

 lary clusters. They require the green-house, 

 and are propagated by cuttings. Syn. Bossima. 

 Introduced in 1830. 

 Lama'rckia. Named after J. B. Lamarck, the 

 great French naturalist. Nat. Ord. Gramina- 

 cece. 



LAP 



L. Aurea, the only species, is a pretty, many 

 stemmed, low, ornamental annual grass. It 

 is generally included in collections of orna- 

 mental grasses. Native of southern Europe 

 and north Africa. Syn. Chrysurus. 

 Lambe'rtia. Named in honor of A. B. Lambert, 

 one of the most liberal botanists in Europe, 

 and whose extensive herbarium was open to 

 every man of science. Nat. Ord. Proteacem. 



Very handsome green-house evergreen 

 shrubs from tropical Australia. The flowers 

 are mostly produced in terminal clusters, 

 sometimes singly, the prevailing color being 

 dark red, with occasionally an orange tint. 

 Height of plant three to four feet. They are 

 readily increased by cuttings, but must be 

 grown Avith considerable care, the principal 

 caution being against over-watering ; any ex- 

 cess in that is fatal to them. Introduced in 

 1824. 



Lambkill. See Kalmia. 



Lamb's Lettuce or Corn Salad. See Valerianella. 



Lamb's Toe. Anthyllis vulneraria. 



Lamb's Tongue. Plantago media. 



Lamium. From laimos, a throat; on account of 

 the shape of the corolla. Nat. Ord. LabiatcB. 



A genus of herbaceous plants of but little 

 interest. L. album or De.ad Nottle received 

 its English name from the resemblance of its 

 leaves to those of the true Nettle, from which, 

 however, it may be distinguished by its square 

 stem. L. maculatum is a pretty dwarf, free- 

 growing border plant, its variety {aureum) 

 with golden-colored foliage is useful either as 

 a rock or border plant, or for spring bedding. 



Lamproco'ccus. This genus is now included 

 by Bentham and Hooker under jEchm^a. 



Lanate, Lanuginose. Long, dense, curled and 

 matted hairs, resembling wool. 



Lanceolate. Shaped like the head of a spear ; 

 nanow and tapering at each end. 



Lance-'wood. The light elastic wood of Dugue- 

 tia quitarensis. 



Lando'lphia. Named after M. Landolphe, an 

 African explorer. A genus of scandent shrubs, 

 natives of tropical Africa and Madagascar. 

 Caoutchouc is obtained in large quantities 

 from many of the species. L. owarieiisis, L. 

 florida, and other species have been intro- 

 duced to Kew, and distributed to various of 

 the British colonies. The former bears a red- 

 dish-brown fruit about the size of an orange, 

 with an agreeable, sweetish, acid pulp. Cut- 

 tings root readily in heat. 



Lanta'na. Ancient name for Viburnum. Nat. 

 Ord. Verbenacece. 



An extensive genus of ornamental, free- 

 flowering, tender shrubs, common from the 

 West Indies to Brazil. The species are rapid 

 growers, and most constant bloomers. They 

 are readily increased by cuttings, and will 

 grow freely in the garden, preferring a sunny 

 situation. Many new varieties have been 

 produced from seeds, comprising, red, golden, 

 white, or various colored flowers, which are 

 much used for bedding-out purposes and as 

 specimen decorative plants. First introduced 

 from the West Indies in 1692. 



Lantern Flower. The genus Abutilon. 



Lapage'ria. Named after Josephine Lapagerie, 

 wife of Napoleon I. Nat. Ord. Liliacece. 



