20 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



AEU 



tongue and mouth. When cut in slices and ap- 

 plied to the skin, it will very quickly produce a 

 blister. This same active principle is not con- 

 fined to the roots of the various genera and spe- 

 cies, but is found in the leaves as well. A piece 

 of the Calla leaf, not larger than a pin's head, if 

 taken into the mouth, will produce violent and 

 painful burnings. By drying, *hese roots lose 

 all their poisonous properties, and some of the 

 species yield an excellent quality of Arrow-root. 



Arundinaria. An alteration of the word Arundo, 

 to which this genus may be compared, in refer- 

 ence to its large size. Linn. Triandria-Diyynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Graminacea>. 



A genus of grasses of a shrubby or arborescent 

 nature, with strong-jointed stems, resembling 

 those of the Bamboo cane. They are mostly from 

 the warmer parts of the globe, and in some in- 

 stances attain a great size. A. falcata is one of 

 the hardiest kinds, and an ornamental plant for 

 the sub-tropical garden. This species will en- 

 dure the winter without protection, from Wash- 

 ington southward. A. Schomburgkii, a native of 

 Guiana, is an important species. The canes 

 grow sixteen feet high, with a diameter at the 

 base of from twelve to eighteen inches. It is 

 this plant that chiefly furnishes the native In- 

 dians with the tubes from which they blow their 

 poisonous arrows, which act with such fatal ef- 

 fect on their victims. 



Arundo. Reed. A word of doubtful derivation, 

 perhaps from the Latin word arundo, a reed. 

 Linn. Tr'wmdria-Digynia. Nat. Ord. GraminacecK. 

 A. Donax is a splendid Bamboo-looking reed, 

 rather tender in severe winters, but which, if 

 the season be favorable, will grow, in rich soil 

 kept moist, to the height of ten or twelve feet 

 in one year, producing a fine oriental appear- 

 ance when standing singly on a lawn or near 

 water. This variety is a native of Southern 

 Europe, introduced in 1648, and for many years 

 has been an inmate of our flower gardens. A. 

 Donax variegnta, a variety with leaves beautifully 

 striped in different colors, similar to those of 

 the common Ribbon-grass of our gardens, is one 

 of the most beautiful plants for the sub-tropical 

 garden. It requires, however, the protection of 

 the green-house during winter in our Northern 

 States. Propagated by division of roots. Will 

 succeed in ordinary garden soil. 



Asarum. Wild Ginger. From a, privative, and 

 saron, feminine ; the application of the term 

 unexplained. Linn. Dodecandria-Monogyn la. Nat. 

 Ord. ArisMochiaceae. 



A genus of rather curious hardy herbaceous 

 perennials, common in most parts of the United 

 States, usually in rich, moist woods. They are 

 highly esteemed for their medicinal properties. 

 A. Canadense is the Canada Snake-root or Wild 

 Ginger. It is recognized by its simple pair of 

 broad, kidney-shaped leaves, and a single large, 

 brownish-purple flower. The roots are pungent 

 and aromatic. 



Asclepias. Milkweed. The Greek name of the 

 jExculai>ius of the Latins. Linn. Penlandria- 

 Monoyynia. Nat. Ord. Asdepiadacece. 



An extensive genus of tall-growing plants, 

 mostly of a hardy herbaceous character, re- 

 markable for their curious flowers and the silky 

 substance which fills the seed-pod. The most 

 ornamental species is A. iuberosa, which has fine 

 orange-colored flowers, and is somewhat difficult 

 to cultivate. It thrives, however, in sandy 

 loam, kept rather dry than otherwise, and sel- 

 dom disturbed by removal. . It is increased by 



ASP 



division. This species is common in all the 

 Middle States. The genus is truly American. 



Ash. See Fraxinus. 



Ash-leaved Maple. See Negundo. 



Asimina. Papaw. Named from Asiminier of 

 the French colonists. Linn. Polyandria-Poly- 

 gynia. Nat. Ord. Anonacece. 



A. trUoba, the only species, is n low-growing 

 tree or shrub, common in the Western and 

 Southern States, where it is popularly known as 

 Papaw. The fruit is from three to four inches 

 long, yellowish, and when fully ripe is by many 

 highly esteemed. 



Asparagus. From a, intensive, and sparasso, to 

 tear; in reference to the strong prickles of some 

 species. Linn. Hexandria-Monogynki. Nat. Ord. 

 Liliacece. 



Of this extensive genus of hardy herbaceous 

 and green-house plants, A. officinalis, the gar- 

 den Asparagus, is the only species of particular 

 interest. The common Asparagus is a native of 

 Great Britain, Russia, and Poland. In many 

 other parts of Europe it is found growing wild, 

 but is probably an escape in many localities, and 

 is perfectly naturalized, as it is sparingly on our 

 own coasts. The Asparagus is one of the oldest 

 as well as one of the most delicious of our gar- 

 den vegetables. It was cultivated in the time 

 of Cato the Elder, 200 years B.C. ; and Pliny 

 mentions a sort that grew in his time near Ra- 

 venna, of which three heads would weigh a 

 pound. From these accounts it would appear 

 that there is nothing new under the sun in the 

 line of Asparagus. As many of our best garden- 

 ers contend, adaptation of soil, together with 

 thorough cultivation, alone explains the differ- 

 ence in this vegetable, as offered in our markets 

 or seen in our gardens. 



Aspasia. From aspazomai, I embrace ; the col- 

 umn embraced by the labellum. Linn. Gynan- 

 dria-Monandria. Nat. Ord. Orchidacece. 



A small genus of epiphytal Orchids from Cen- 

 tral and South America. One of the more im- 

 portant species, A. epidendroides, has yellow and 

 brown sepals, the petals light purple, the lip 

 white, with purple in the center. The species 

 should be grown in baskets, or on blocks of 

 wood or cork, with plenty of moss. They do 

 not require a high temperature, but need plenty 

 of air. Increased by division. Introduced in 

 1833. 



Aspen. See Populus irermda. 



Asperula. The diminutive of asper, rough; in 

 reference to the rough leaves. Linn. Tetrandria- 

 Monogyma. Nat. Ord. Galiacese. 



Pretty, dwarf, hardy plants, well adapted for 

 shaded situations among trees, chiefly natives 

 of the European Continent. A. odorata, the 

 common Woodruff, is esteemed for its delightful 

 scent. The plant, when wilted, has the odor of 

 new-mown hay. 



Asphodelus. Asphodel. From a, privative, 

 and sphallo, to supplant ; the stately flowers not 

 easily surpassed. Linn. Hexandria-Monogynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Liliacece. 



Showy plants, suitable for the open border, 

 with white or yellow flowers. Tiiey may be 

 grown in any soil, and are readily increased 

 by separation of the roots. Most varieties are 

 from the South of Europe, have long been in 

 cultivation in our gardens, and are perfectly 

 hardy. 



Aspidistra. From aspldiseon, a little round shield; 

 the form of the flower. Linn. Oclandria-Mono~ 

 gynia. Nat. Ord. Liliacece. 



