18 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



ARE 



is served tip with meat as a vegetable dish. To 

 obtain this great delicacy growing on the very 

 summit of such a stately trunk the noble tree . 

 must be felled to the ground. In the place | 

 where the cabbage grew, a species of beetle gen- j 

 erally deposits its eggs, from which, in due 

 time, grubs are hatched, that have received the 

 name of Palm-tree Worms. They are about the 

 size of a man's thumb, very fat, and esteemed a 

 great luxury. They are fned with a little but- 

 ter and salt, and their flavor partakes of all the 

 spices of India." 



Arenga. Name not explained. Linn. Monoscia- 

 Monadelphia. Nat. Ord. Palmacece. 



A. saccharifera, the only species, is a very use- 

 ful and interesting Palm, a native of the Asiatic 

 islands. In its native country the fibers at- 

 tached to the petioles are twisted into ropes, the 

 medulla of the trunk is used as sago, and the 

 saccharine juice forms excellent sugar. It is said 

 that this species alone will supply all the actual 

 needs of the native: food, clothing, and a sim- 

 ple hut made from the leaves, are all supplied 

 from this species, and are all that a native's ne- 

 cessities require. 



Arethusa. A classical name, after one of Diana's 

 nymphs. Linn. Gynandria-Monoyynia. Nat. Ord. 

 Orchidacece. 



A. bulbosa is a beautiful species found grow- 

 ing in damp places near the seashore along the 

 Atlantic coast. The flowers are a bright rose- 

 purple, from one to two inches long. One of 

 our best native Orchids. 



Ar gem one. Prickly Poppy. From argema, a 

 cataract of the eye; in reference to its medicinal 

 qualities. Linn. Polyandria-Monogynia. Nat. 

 Ord. Papaveracece. 



Highly ornamental hardy annuals and peren- 

 nials from Mexico, with large flowers like those 

 of the Poppy, and of the easiest culture. The 

 plants, spreading widely, require a good deal of 

 room to look handsome. The seed of A. Mejci- 

 cana is the Fico del Inferno (Infernal Fig) of the 

 Spaniards; a purgative and powerful narcotic, 

 especially if smoked with tobacco. 



Argyreia. Named in reference to the white, sil- 

 very texture of the leaves, from argyreios, sil- 

 very. Linn. Pentandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. 

 Convdvulacece. 



A fine genus of strong-growing climbers from 

 the East Indies. They are only adapted for the 

 green -house, and require a long time, with lib- 

 eral pot room, to bring them into flower. A. 

 cuneata is a dwarf-growing species, and free 

 flowering ; colors white and purple, resembling 

 the Iponwea. Propagated by cuttings. Intro- 

 duced in 1820. 



Ariseema. Indian Turnip, Dragon Arum. 

 From aron, an arum, and sana, a standard ; in 

 reference to the close affinity to Arum. Linn. 

 Moncetia-Polyandria. Nat. Ord. Aracacece. 



A genus of hardy tuberous-rooted perennials. 

 Two of the species, A. triphyllum, the Indian 

 Turnip, and A. dracontium, the Green Dragon or 

 Dragon Root, are common in moist woods and 

 along streams in most parts of the United States. 

 They bear cultivation well, and make beautiful 

 plants for a shady border. The flowers are pop- 

 ularly known as Jack-in-the-Pulpit. These are 

 succeeded by a cluster of scarlet berries, that 

 make a showy appearance until winter. The 

 biting, acrid properties of this genus are such 

 that the smallest portion chewed, either of 

 leaves or root, produces a feeling as if the tongue 

 were pierced with needles. 



ARP 



Aristida. From arista, a beard or awn. Linn. 

 Triandria-Dujynia. Nat. Ord. Oraminaeeae. 



A genus of harsh perennial grasses, common 

 on dry, barren soils throughout the United 

 States. A. dichotomn is commonly known as 

 Poverty Grass, as it is a sure indication of poor 

 and barren soil. A. strida is the Southern Wire- 

 grass. 



Aristolochia. Birthwort. From aristos, best, 

 and locheia, parturition, its supposed medicinal 

 character. Linn. Qynandria-He-xandria. Nat. Ord. 

 Aristolochiacece. 



A genus of climbing plants of various habi- 

 tudes, occupying every station, from the open 

 air to the hottest part of the hot-house. Most of 

 them extend their branches a long distance, 

 though some are to be found that are neat and 

 compact in their growth. The flowers of all are 

 extremely curious, generally of some lurid color, 

 and bearing a resemblance to the expanded 

 mouth of a horn. The larger ones have, not 

 inaptly, been compared to the ear of an elephant, 

 while others are distinguished by a long, pend- 

 ant pouch. The tender species require either 

 the hot-house or green-house, and a few are suf- 

 ficiently robust to bear exposure to our winters. 

 They grow freely in rich loam and leaf mould. A. 

 sipho (Dutchman's Pipe) is a native of the 

 Southern States, and one of the best for cover- 

 ing walls or trellises; under favorable circum- 

 stances it will grow twenty feet in a season. The 

 foliage is large, of a deep, rich green. Propagat- 

 ed by seed. Perfectly hardy. 



Arineria. Thrift. The Latin name for the 

 Sweet William. Linn. Pentandria-Pentagynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Plumbaginacece. 



A genus of highly ornamental, hardy herba- 

 ceous plants, of dwarf habit, with flowers of 

 various shades between pink and purple, pro- 

 duced on the majority of the species in great 

 profusion. The common Thrift, A. vulgaris, 

 is a well-known substitute for Box as an edging 

 to flower borders. They grow with freedom in 

 almost any soil, and without regard to situation, 

 except that the drip of trees is injurious to most 

 of them. Propagated by division. Introduced 

 from Southern Europe in 1810. 



Arnica. From arnakis, a lamb's skin; in ref- 

 erence to the texture of the leaves. Linn. 

 tiyngenesia-Superftua. Nat. Ord. Asteracece. 



A small genus of hardy, dwarf herbaceous 

 plants. Some of the species are common in this 

 country, though not of special interest. A. mon- 

 tana is a native of the mountainous districts of 

 Northern and Middle Europe. The tincture of 

 Arnica is prepared from this species; was first 

 introduced by the homoeopathists.and soon after 

 came into general use, and is considered invalu- 

 able for wounds or bruises. 



Aromatic Wintergreen. See Gaulilieria.. 



Aronicum. Erom arnica, a lamb's skin ; in ref- 

 erence to the softness of the flower-heads. 

 Linn. Syngene-sia-Superflua. Nat. Ord. Asteracece. 

 A small genus of pretty herbaceous peren- 

 nials, inhabiting Central Europe and Asia. They 

 have flower stalks varying from three inches to 

 two feet high, with terminal heads of bright 

 yellow flowers. A. Clusii, a pretty little Alpine 

 species growing from three to five inches high, 

 is well adapted for a border plant or for rock- 

 work. They are increased by division, or from 

 seed. 



Arpophyllum. Derivation of name not given. 

 Lynn, fcynandria-Monandria. Nat. Ord. Orchida- 



