HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



56 



COO 



selves. Most of the tender kinds of Convolvu- 

 lus were separated from it by Linnaeus, and 

 formed into the genus Ipomoea. All the tender 

 kinds may be made to flower in the open air dur- 

 ing summer; and the hardy species only require 

 sowing in the open ground. C. minor, (tricolor), 

 a dwarf-growing species, is a native of Spain and 

 Portugal. The flowers are often pure white, 

 but generally variegated with blue and yellow, 

 or blue and white ; the more beautiful kind is a 

 bright blue, gradually changing to a pure white 

 in the canter. The form of this flower is no less 

 beautiful than the color. The plant spreads 

 with much regularity in every direction from 

 the center, so that a bed of them, with the plants 

 two feet apart each way, will form a compact 

 mass resembling a single plant. It is scarcely 

 exceeded in elegance by any plant in the border 

 when in full flower. The flowers continue open 

 all day if pleasant, but close in case of rain. 

 Seed should be sown as soon as the ground can 

 be got in good order in spring. If started in the 

 green-house in pots, it makes a charming plant 

 for hanging baskets, rustic work, or the window. 

 This species has been noticed for more than 250 

 years in Herbals. 



Cooperia. Named after Mr.Cooper, gardener for 

 many years at Wentworth House, in Yorkshire, 

 England. Linn. Hexandria-Monogynia. Nat. 

 Ord. Amaryllidacw. 



A small genus of bulbous plants from Texas, 

 allied to the Zephyranthes. C. Drumrnondiana, typ- 

 ical of the species, has narrow twisted leaves 

 twelve to eighteen inches long, and a scape six 

 to twelve inches high, bearing at the end a sin- 

 gle flower, of which the tube is upward of four 

 inches long, of a greenish color, and the limb 

 upward of an inch long and pure white. The 

 flower always expands in the evening, and is not 

 usually perfect after the first night. The noc- 

 turnal flowering of this plant is an anomaly in 

 the order, and the more remarkable because its 

 nearest relatives require full sunshine to make 

 them expand. The flower has the fragrance of 

 the Primrose. These bulbs are half-hardy, and 

 will endure our winters with a slight protection 

 if grown in a light, sandy soil, which is the one 

 best suited to them. For effect they should be 

 planted in clumps, and quite close together. 

 Propagated by offsets. Introduced in 1835. 



Copatfera. From the Brazilian name copaiba, 

 and fero, to bear. Linn. Decandria-Monogynia. 

 Nat.'Ord. Fabacea>. 



A tender evergreen tree, native of Brazil, val- 

 uable only for the medicinal properties of the 

 balsam it yields. 



Coprosma. From copros, dung, and osme, a 

 smell ; the plants have a fetid 'smell. Linn. Te- 

 trandria-Digynia. Nat. Ord. CmdumacttK. 



A small genus of green-house evergreen shrubs 

 of easy culture, and of little interest except in 

 their own country, where the leaves are used by 

 the New Zealand priests to discover the will of 

 the gods . The leaves are attached with a cord of 

 flax to sticks, which are laid on the ground, 

 each stick representing a separate party. The 

 priests retire to pray, and after a time the chiefs 

 are summoned to examine the sticks, which are 

 found to have been moved, and some have dis- 

 appeared entirely. This is considered a certain 

 sign that one of the party will be destroyed. 

 Others are found turned over. If the leaf be 

 turned down the omen is bad; but if the reverse 

 should occur, it is a sign that the party repre- 

 sented by the stick will prosper in his under- 



COR 



takings. C. Ttaueriana variegaia is a strikingly 

 beautiful plant for the green-house and conser- 

 vatory, or for a place on the lawn in summer. 

 Propagated by cuttings. 



Coptis. Goldthread. From kopto, to cut; in ref- 

 erence to the division of the leaves. Linn. Poly- 

 andria-Polyrjynia. Nat. Ord. Ranunculacecn. 



C. trifdia, the only species, is a beautiful lit- 

 tle evergreen herb, with creeping root-stocks, 

 common in boggy places from Maryland north- 

 ward. The long, bright yellow fibers of the root 

 have caused it to receive the common name 

 of Goldthread. The roots are very bitter, and 

 are used in medicine as a tonic. It formerly 

 held a prominent place among domestic reme- 

 dies, and was considered invaluable for sore 

 mouths in children. 



Corallorhiza. Coral Root. Said to be from kor- 

 ullinn, a coral, and rhiza, a root. Linn.Gynan- 

 driarMonandria. Nat. Ord. Orchidacecr. 



A genus of curious little Orchids, common in 

 wet or boggy places throughout the United 

 States. Their leaves are like small scales, of a 

 yellowish color, like their stems ; the flowers are 

 small, in a loose terminal spike. C. innata, one 

 of the more common species, is a slender plant, 

 from six to nine inches high, of a pale color, 

 and remarkable for its root-stalk, which is 

 formed of a number of short, thick, whitish 

 fleshy fibers, divided into short, blunt branches, 

 and densely interwoven, resembling coral; 

 hence the popular name. All the species are in- 

 capable of cultivation, or, at least, they so rare- 

 ly live when removed, that it is considered a 

 useless task to attempt it. 



Coral Root. See CoraUorhiza. 



Coral Tree. See Erythrina. 



Corbularia. From corbida, a little basket; in 

 reference to the shape of the nectary. Linn. 

 Hexandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Amwyllidaceci' . 

 A small genus, commonly called Hoop Petti- 

 coats, and has recently been separated from 

 Narcissus. The species are quite ornamental and 

 perfectly hardy, but, like most of what are usual- 

 ly termed " Dutch Bulbs," they do best with a 

 slight protection of leaves or coarse manure. 

 Propagated by offsets. A native of Portugal. 

 Introduced in 1629. 



Corchorus. From kore, a pupil, and koreo, to 

 purge; in allusion to the laxative qualities of 

 some of the species. Linn. Pdyandria-Monogy- 

 nia. Nat. Ord. Liliacece. 



An extensive genus of annuals and herbaceous 

 plants, inhabitants of both hemispheres. As or- 

 namental or flowering plants they are of little 

 value. They are much grown in many sections 

 of India for the exceedingly valuable fiber they 

 yield, which is known under the name of Jute, 

 and which forms an important article of com- 

 merce. 



Cord Grass. See Sfiarthia. 



Cordyline. Club Palm. From kordyle, a club. 

 Linn. Hexandria-Mitnoijynia. Nat. Ord. Liliacea'. 

 A genus of green -house evergreen shrubs, al- 

 lied to Drae.frna. The type, C. indivisa, has usu- 

 ally been sold in this country under the name of 

 Draca-nd indicisn. It is an exceedingly useful 

 plant for large specimens upon the lawn, or for 

 jardinieres, baskets, or vases, as it will withstand 

 some neglect and thrive where many other plants 

 would perish. This species was introduced from 

 New Zealand in 1850, and is propagated from 

 seed, which should be sown in boxes on bottom 

 heat in the green-house. As soon as the plants 

 are three inches high, prick out in small pots. 



