158 BOTANICAL NAMES 



group. Is a contraction of " orpiment " (the name 

 of a yellow metal), and was given because some of 

 the flowers are yellow. The same thing happens 

 with the name Chrysanthemum. 



Orontium (or-on-ti-um). Old name for the Snapdragon. 

 Now second hot. name for Lesser Snapdragon. 



Oryzoides (o-ri-zoi-des). G. " Oryza " (rice); " oides " 

 (like). Second hot. name. 



Osier (o-zhe-er). From the French " osier " (a willow) ; 

 the word is usually applied to the long slender 

 shoots used for basket-making. Is now Eng. name 

 for Salix Viminalis. 



Ossifragum (os-si-fra-gum). L. " Ossi " (a bone) ; 

 " fragum " (breaker); because the bones of sheep 

 feeding on the plants become brittle and easily 

 break. Second bot. name Bog Asphodel. 



Osmunda (oz-mund-a). After Osmunder (the God 

 Thor). Bot. name Osmund group. 



Ostruthium (os-truth-i-um). Old name for some plant ; 

 now second bot. name for Masterwort. 



Otites (o-ti-tis). G. "Ous" (the ear); from ear-like 

 shape of the leaf. Second bot. name. 



Ovata (o-va-ta). L. adj., " egg-shaped." Second bot. 

 name. 



Ovalis (o-va-lis). L. adj., " oval." Second bot. name. 



Ovina (o-vi-na). L. adj., " belonging to a sheep." 

 Second bot. name. 



Oxalis (oks-a-lis). G. word for "sour wine"; i.e., 

 acid. Bot. name for group. 



Oxyacantha (oks-e-ak-an-tha). G. " Oxus " (sharp); 

 " acantha " (a thorn). Second bot. name for Haw- 

 thorn. 



Oxyacanthoides (oks-e-ak-an-thoi-des). G. " Oxya- 



