HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



CHA 



A genus of low-growing Palms, including sev- 

 eral species, some growing as far North as the 

 Carolinas. The Palmetto State furnishes C. Pal- 

 metto, hence the name. Many of the species are 

 half-hardy, and all make beautiful plants for 

 lawn decoration. They make a rapid growth in 

 summer if given a rich loam, and liberal appli- 

 cations of liquid manure. They are increased by 

 seed. 



Chamomile. See Anthemis. 



Chaw Stick. See Gouania. 



Charlock. Sinapis arvens'is, a well-known weed. 



Cheat Grass. See Brormis. 



Checkerberry. See Gaultheria. 



Cheilantb.es. Lip Fern. From cheilos, a lip, and 

 anthos, a flower ; in reference to the form of the 

 indusium. Linn. Oryptogamia-Ftiices. Nat. Ord. 

 Polypodiacem. 



An extensive genus of Ferns, found scattered 

 over nearly all parts of the world. There are 

 several species found in most parts of the Unit- 

 ed States. Some of the tropical species are ex- 

 ceedingly pretty, among which C. farinosa, a na- 

 tive of the Island of Luzon, has ivory-black 

 stems, the fronds being dark green above, and 

 of a pure white beneath, caused by a powdery 

 substance, which has given this species the pop- 

 iilar name of Silver Fern. This species was in- 

 troduced in 1854. Propagated from spores or 

 by division of the roots when just commencing 

 to grow. 



Cheiranthus. Wallflower. From cheir, the 

 hand, and anthos, a flower ; in reference to the 

 custom of carrying the Wallflower in the hand 

 for a nosegay. Linn. Tetradynamia. Nat. Ord. 

 Brassicacece. 



Well-known herbaceous plants, much prized 

 for the delightful odor of their flowers, which 

 are produced from April to July. C. Cheiri, the 

 common Wallflower, is generally grown, and is 

 a great favorite in English gardens, where it 

 flowers freely. Our climate does not suit it so 

 well as that of England, as it delights in a moist 

 atmosphere. The fine double varieties are in- 

 creased by cuttings, and should be grown in a 

 cool house, in a strong, rich loam. The plants 

 usually grown for the market are from seed sown 

 in March. Most species are from Southern Eu- 

 rope, and have been grown for centuries. 



Chelone. Shell-flower. From chdone, a tortoise ; 

 the back of the helmet of the flower being fan- 

 cifully compared to a tortoise. Linn. Didynamia- 

 Anyiospermia. Nat. Ord. Scrophulariaceat. 



Most of the genus are hardy herbaceous per- 

 ennials. Native plants are common in moist 

 places westward. Their singular beauty enti- 

 tles them to a place in every collection. The 

 flowers are white, rose-color, or purple. They 

 succeed well in ordinary garden soil, and are 

 propagated by division of roots, and by seed. 



Chenopodium. A genus of troublesome weeds, 

 the more common being C. album, or Pig-weed ; 

 C. glaucum, Goose-foot ; and C. ambrosioides, 

 Mexican Tea. 



Cherokee Rose. See Rosa. 



Cherry. See Cerasus. 



Chess. See Bromus. 



Chestnut. See Castanea. 



Chestnut-Oak. See Q/iercus Prinus. 



Chickory. See Cichorium. 



Chickweed. See Steilaria. 



Chimaphila. From cheima, winter, and phUeo, to 

 love; these little plants remaining green all win- 

 ter. Linn. Decandrla - Nonoyynia. Nat. Ord. 

 Pyrolaceai. 



CHL 



A small genus of pretty little native, hardy, 

 trailing, evergreen plants, commonly known as 

 Pipsissewi and Spotted Winteryreen, the latter 

 name being applied to C. mad'data, one of our 

 most beautiful native plants with variegated 

 foliage. It is common in dry woods throughout 

 the Middle States, but very difficult of culti- 

 vation in the garden. 



China Aster. See Callistemma. 



Chinese Bell-flower. See Abutilon. 



Chinese Grass-cloth Plant. See Bcehmeria. 



Chinese Primrose. See Primula, 



Chinese Sugar-cane. See Sorghum. 



Chinquapin. See Castanea. 



Chionanthus. Fringe Tree. From chion, snow, 

 and anthos, a flower ; in reference to its long ra- 

 cemes of pure white flowers. Linn. Diandria- 

 Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Oleacece. 



A genus of hardy deciduous shrubs. C. Vir- 

 ginica, one of the best known, and the more 

 commonly grown under the popular name of 

 Fringe Tree, is a very ornamental shrub of easy 

 cultivation, particularly adapted for the lawn, 

 not only for its showy flowers in spring, but for 

 its deep green, glossy foliage, which, under fa- 

 vorable circumstances, will equal in size that of 

 the Magnolia grandifl^ra, retaining its freshness 

 until late in the autumn. This species is a na- 

 tive of Pennsylvania and southward, and is 

 readily propagated from seeds or cuttings. It 

 succeeds best when grafted on the common ash, 

 being much more vigorous, and will attain a 

 height of twenty-five feet. 



Chironia. A classical name, after Chiron, one of 

 the Centaurs, fabled to be the father of medicine. 

 Linn. Pe>ita)idria-3fonogynia. Nat. Ord. Genlian- 

 aceoi. 



Green-house plants of short duration, and 

 consequently requiring to be frequently raised 

 from cuttings, which strike freely in sand. G. 

 frutescens, with rose-colored flowers, and its va- 

 riety, with white flowers, are the most desirable 

 species, and may be easily procured from the 

 florist. They are also frequently raised from 

 Cape seeds, the plants being all indigenous at 

 the Cape of Good Hope. Introduced in 1756. 



Chives. The popular name of AUium Schonnnpra- 

 sum, the smallest of the Onion family, though 

 one of the finest flavored. It is a hardy herba- 

 ceous perennial, native of Siberia, and of the 

 easiest culture, growing freely in almost any soil 

 or situation. Propagated by division, either in 

 spring or autumn. 



Chlidanthus. From chlideios, delicate, and an- 

 thos, a flower ; alluding to the delicate texture 

 of the flowers. Linn. Hexandria-Monoyynia. Nat. 

 Ord. AmaryllidacecK. 



C.frayrans, the only species, a pretty bulbous- 

 rooted plant, which may be grown in the flower 

 garden during the summer, when its bright yel- 

 low flowers are highly interesting. In winter it 

 requires the same treatment as the Gladiolus. 

 It is propagated freely by offsets, which should 

 all be removed before planting, to enable the 

 bulb to flower well. Introduced in 1820. 



C Moris. From chloros, green; alluding to the 

 color of the herbage. Linn. Polyyamia-Nonoecia. 

 Nat. Ord. Graminacece. 



A very extensive genus of grasses, including a 

 few desirable species for the green-house. 

 Among them is C. radiata, a pretty little annual 

 species, with beautiful one-sided spikes of silky 

 flowers, which give it a very curious appearance. 

 There are several other species under cultiva- 

 tion, all useful for basket and similar work. 



