10 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



AIR 



and is rapidly increased by root-cuttings. By 

 taking cuttings from the female plant, the flow- 

 ers of which are inodorous, they can be increased 

 to any extent. 



Air Plants. These are plants that grow on trees, 

 or other objects, and not in the earth, and derive 

 their nutriment from the atmosphere. The term 

 was formerly, and is still to some extent, applied 

 to epiphytal Orchids. There are, however, many 

 other families of air plants. The class is to be dis- 

 tinguished from the various parasites that have 

 no roots in the earth, but derive their nourish- 

 ment directly from the plants on which they 

 grow. 



Ajuga. Bugle. From a, privative, and zug^r>, a 

 yoke; in reference to the calyx being one-leaved. 

 Linn. Didynamia-Gymnospermia. Nat. Ord. La- 

 miacece. 



A small genus of hardy annual and perennial 

 ierbaceous plants. A. reptans (common Bugle) 

 ias been lately introduced into the garden, and 

 given a position in massing and ribbon borders I 

 of plants for its dark-colored foliage. The spe- 

 cies were at one time highly esteemed for the 

 medicinal properties they were supposed to I 

 possess. " Kuellus writeth that they commonly ! 

 said in France, howe he needeth neither phy- 

 sician nor surgeon that hathe Bugle and Sanicle, 

 for it not only cureth woundes, being inwardly 

 taken, but also applied to them outwardly." 

 Gerarde. They are propagated readily from seed. 



Akebia. The name it bears in Japan. Linn. 

 Monoecia-Hexandria. Nat. Ord. Lardizabalacej'. 



A. quinata was introduced from China, in 1844, 

 by Eobert Fortune. It is a hardy climber, of 

 rapid growth, suitable for large arbors or trel- 

 lises, in sunny or shady situations. It will 

 twine around old trees, completely covering the 

 branches, from which it will hang in graceful 

 festoons. The color of the flower is dark brown, 

 and it is very sweet-scented. In a light, rich 

 soil it will grow to the height of thirty feet. It 

 is propagated readily by layering or cuttings. 



Albuca. From albus, white, referring to the I 

 prevalence of white flowers in the genus (not a I 

 very happy allusion, though, because the flow- i 

 ers are mostly green). Linn. Hexandria-Mono- 

 gynia. Nat. Ord. IMiaoeae. 



This is a genus of but little beauty, closely 

 allied to the OrnUhogcdum, introduced from the 

 Cape of Good Hope about 17oO. They are ten- 

 der bulbous plants, easily cultivated in the 

 green-house, grown in pots in light, sandy soil, j 

 They flower in May and June. 



Alder. See Alnus. 



Aletris. Colic-root, Stir-grass. From aletron, 

 meal; referring to the powdery appearance of 

 the whole plant. Linn. Hexandria-Monogynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Hcvmodvracecp. 



There are but two species included in this 

 genus, both natives of the United States, and 

 pretty generally distributed. A. farinosa is 

 highly esteemed for its medicinal properties, 

 and is a very pretty plant for the border. It is 

 a herbaceous perennial, the leaves growing in a 

 close tuft, from which arisesi a flower-stem from 

 one to three feet high, terminating in a spiked 

 raceme of small, white, oblong, bell-shaped 

 flowers. Propagated by division or by seed. 



Aleuritopteris. A synonym of Chetiantkes, which 

 see. 



Alfalfa. See Medicago. 



Alisma. Water Plantain. A. plantago is a com- 

 mon, uninteresting aquatic, found in shallow 

 water. Introduced from Europe. 



ALO 



Allamanda. Named in honor of Dr. Allamand, 

 of Leyden. Linn. Petandria-Afonogynia. Nat. 

 Ord. Apocynaceev (Dogworts). 



This genus consists principally of handsome 

 climbing green-house shrubs. A. Schottii, a na- 

 tive of Brazil, produces immense numbers of 

 large, funnel-shaped flowers, which are of a full 

 yellow, with a deeper yellow throat. They de- 

 light in a warm, moist situation, and should 

 have a light, fibrous soil. Propagated by cut- 

 tings. Introduced in 1846. 



Alleghany Vine. See Adlumia. 



Alligator Pear. See Persea. 



Allium. From the Celtic oH, meaning hot or 

 burning ; referring to the well-known qualities 

 of the genus (Onion). Linn. Hexandria-Mono- 

 ijynia. Nat. Ord. LUiacece. 



Of the one hundred and fifty species of this 

 tribe, but few are considered ornamental; in- 

 deed, the family, probably from prejudice, has 

 been much neglected, where many far less showy 

 plants have found favor. A. Moly produces 

 large trusses of golden yellow flowers in June. 

 A. Neapolitanum is a fine species, bearing pure 

 white flowers in a large umbel. The former is 

 perfectly hardy, and worthy a place in the gar- 

 den. The latter is tender, requiring the pro- 

 tection of the green-house. Propagated readily 

 by offsets. 



Allbsor us. From olios, diverse, and soros, a heap ; 

 in allusion to the changing of the sori. Linn. 

 Cryptogamia-fUices. Nat. Ord. Polypodiacece. 



A small genus of very beautiful' dwarf Ferns. 

 A. crispus, a British Fern, sometimes called the 

 Mountain Parsley Fern, is a beautiful plant for 

 rockeries. Two or three exotic species are fa- 

 vorites in the green-house. They are propagated 

 from spores. 



Allspice-Tree. See Pimenta. 



Almeria. See Amygdalus. 



Alnus. The Alder. From al, near, and Ian, the 

 bank of a river ; in reference to the situation 

 where the Alder delights to grow. Linn. Mo- 

 ncecia-Tetrandria. Nat. Ord. Belulacea-. 



An extensive genus of shrubs or small trees 

 common throughout North Am erica and Europe. 

 The principal use of the Alder is for charcoal, 

 which is highly valued in the manufacture of 

 gunpowder. 



Alocasia. A slight alteration of Colocasia. Linn. 

 Moiwecia- [Ivptandria. Nat. Ord. AraceoK. 



This name is applied to a section of the genus 

 ColocasM ; by some considered a distinct genus. 

 Natives of India. A. metallica is a magnificent 

 species from Borneo, producing very large oval 

 leaves, having a rich bronze-colored surface, 

 making it a conspicuous ornament for the hot- 

 house. The leaves look like large polished metal 

 shields. Propagated by division of roots. Intro- 

 duced in 1859. 



Aloe. From alloeh, its Arabic nam'e. Linn. Hex- 

 andria-Moitogynia. Nat. Ord. Liliacece. 



The name Aloe is so frequently applied in 

 conversation to the American Aloe, or Agave, 

 that many persons are not aware that the true 

 Aloe is not only quite a different genus, but be- 

 longs to a different natural order, the American 

 Aloe being one of the Amaryllis tribe, while the 

 true Aloe belongs to the Lily tribe. The quali- 

 ties of the tw.o plants are also essentially differ- 

 ent, the American Aloe abounding in starchy, 

 nourishing matter, while every part of the true 

 Aloe is purgative. The true Aloe also flowers 

 every year, and the flowers are tube-shaped, and 

 produced on a spike ; while each plant of the 



