LE'DUM PALUSTRE. 



MARSH LEDUM. 

 Class. Order. 



DECANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 



Natural Order. 

 RHODORACEA:. 



No. 47. 



The name of this genus has been adopted from 

 LEDON, which the Greeks applied to a species of 

 cistus that produced their LED ON ON, our labdanum, 

 a resinous substance sometimes employed in plais- 

 ters, and also in fumigations for its perfume. The 

 term has been improperly referred to laedendo as its 

 original. Palustre, from the Latin, marshy, in allu- 

 sion to its native situation. 



This plant, when bruised, has a rather pleasant 

 aromatic scent, similar to that of fresh gathered 

 hops ; and Linneus tells us that the inhabitants of 

 some parts of Sweden, make use of the leaves in 

 their beer, which produce an agreeable flavour, 

 but an intoxicating quality. 



The Laplanders are said to strew the branches 

 amongst their grain to drive away mice. 



A little variety occurs in the colour of its flowers. 

 Some are of a clear white ; whilst others are deli- 

 cately tinged with a pale pink. 



The Ledums come under the denomination of 

 peat plants ; and grow best in that soil. This spe- 

 cies succeeds best in a shady situation, and in the 

 summer should be supplied with copious waterings. 

 Hort. Kew. 2, v. 3, 48. 



