200 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES GRASS 



Grass Wrack [Zostera marina), an aquatic of tlie family 

 J^aiadacese ; it has long, narrow, tape-like leaves 3 to 4 feet in 

 length. It is a native of this country, being generally found in 

 the estuaries of tidal rivers, and even in the sea. When dried 

 it is used for packing, stuffing beds, cushions, etc., and is known 

 by the name of Alva marina. 



Grease Mould. {See Fungi.) 



Greenheart. — Two trees are so called, and a third Bastard 

 Greenheart. 1. Nectandra Roclixi, a large tree of the 

 Laurel family (Lauracese), native of Guiana. It has a clear 

 stem, attaining a height of 40 to 50 feet, with a diameter of 

 between 2 and 3 feet. Its timber, before the more general use of 

 iron, was highly valued for shipbuilding, and was imported from 

 Demerara for that purpose. 2. Cohtbrina ferruginosa, a tree of 

 the Buckthorn family (Ehamnacese), native of Martinique. It 

 has twisted wood, which has led it to be called Snake- wood. 

 3. Bastard Greenheart {Calyjptrantlies Chytraculia), a large-grow- 

 ing shrub of the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native of Jamaica. 



Greenwood is an artificial production, formed by the green- 

 coloured mycelium of Peziza a^7nirjinosa {Helotium ceruginosum), 

 a filamentous fungus which penetrates and traverses the small, 

 fallen branches of the oak tree, and imparts to them a per- 

 manent and vivid green colour, which is highly prized for 

 making small ornaments and toys. The genus Peziza is a group 

 of small fungi, varying from mere specks to masses of several 

 inches in diameter, and also varying in form and colour, which is 

 generally bright, many of them having the appearance of small 

 lichens ; but they differ in their place of growth, which is always 

 on decayed substances, such as fallen leaves, branches, etc., some 

 even on the naked ground. 



Groats. {See Oats.) 



Ground Nut. {See Earth Pea.) 



Groundsel {Senecio vulgaris), an annual of the Composite 

 family (Compositae), native of this country. One of the 

 common pest weeds of all cultivated ground. Sold in the 

 streets of London as green food for cashed birds. 



