72 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



DIP 



An extensive genus of handsome evergreen 

 Ferns, closely allied to Asplenium, and requir- 

 ing the same general treatment. The species j 

 are pretty generally distributed from North ' 

 America to Brazil. 



Dipsacus. Teasle. From dipsao, to thirst; re- 

 ferring to the cavity formed by the leaves clasp- j 

 ing the stem holding water. Linn. Tetrandria- 

 Monngifnia. Nat. Ord. Dipsacacece. 



Hardy biennials, of but little beauty or use, ! 

 except D.fultonum, the Fuller's Teasle, which is | 

 a leading farm crop in the town of Skaneateles, i 

 N. Y., the conditions there being so favorable for j 

 its growth that it produces nearly all that are j 

 used in the United States. The flower heads, | 

 when dried, are used in the manufacture of 

 woolen cloths, and are an article of considerable 

 importance. Natives of Great Britain. 

 Dipterix. Tonquin Bean. From dis, double, and 

 pterix, a wing, referring to the two upper seg- : 

 ments of the calyx. Linn. Diadelphia-Tetragynia. j 

 Nat. Ord. Fabacea>. 



D. odorata, the only species, is an ornamental 

 evergreen tree, a native of Cayenne. It produces 

 the Tonquin or Tonga Bean of commerce, so 

 much used by perfumers, and in the adulter- 

 ation of the extract of Vanilla. 



Dirca. Leather-wood, Moose- wood. From eftrfce, j 

 afountaim; the plant growing in moist places. ! 

 Linn. Octandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Thyme- \ 

 lacece. 



D. paliistris, the only species, is a much- 

 branched shrub growing about six feet high. 

 The flowers are small and yellow, and produced 

 in clusters. They are followed by small red- 

 dish, poisonous fruit. The fibrous bark of this 

 shrub is remarkably tough, and was used by the 

 Indians for thongs, whence the popular names. 

 It is common in moist ground from Pennsylva- 

 nia and Kentucky northward. In some of the 

 New England States it is called Wicopy. 

 Disa. Meaning unknown, but supposed to be its 

 native name. Linn. Gynandria-Monogynia. Nat. j 

 Ord. OrchidacecK. 



An extensive genus of terrestrial Orchids ' 

 confined to South Africa and Abyssinia. There | 

 is a wide variation in the habit of the various 

 species. D. grandiflora is perhaps the most I 

 beautiful of all terrestrial Orchids. It is spoken j 

 of as the pride of Table Mountain, where it \ 

 grows in great profusion on the borders of 

 streams and water pools, which are dry in sum- 

 mer, producing its gorgeous flowers in February 

 and March. The flowers are large, the sepals of a 

 deep scarlet crimson; petals tipped with white 

 and green, pale yellow inside. The species have 

 been considered the most difficult to manage of 

 any in cultivation. Mr. Rand differs with most 

 growers upon this point, having been quite suc- 

 cessful in flowering them, with the following 

 treatment: "The soil for this plant should be 

 rich fibrous peat and loam. It should have but 

 little heat, and never be allowed to dry off. The 

 great trouble in its culture appears to be want 

 of water. If there is good drainage it can j 

 scarcely have top much. It does not need much 

 heat, and should be grown with a good circula- 

 tion of air, and not full sun." Propagated by 

 division. Introduced in 1805. 

 Dischidia. From dis, twice, and schko, to split; 

 referring to an obscure process in the construc- 

 tion of the flower. Linn. Pentandria-Digynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Asdepiadacea'. Nearly related to 

 Stephanotis and Hoya. 

 A small genus of ornamental green-hoiise 



DOD 



evergreen trailers. Flowers are white, borne at 

 the axils of the leaves. A plant of but little 

 merit. 



Disemma. From di,s, double, and stemma, a 

 crown ; referring to the double coronet or rays. 

 Linn. Monadelphia-Digynia. Nat. Ord. Passiflo- 



This genus is closely allied to Passiflora, re- 

 quires the same general treatment, and is prop- 

 agated in the same manner. Some of the 

 species are very beautiful, and worthy of culti- 

 vation. They are natives of New Holland. 

 Introduced in 1792. 



Disocactus. Dish-rag Plant. See Luffa. From 

 di-s, twice, ii*)s, equal, and cados ; the divisions 

 of the petals and sepals equal, and twice two, 

 and the habit of a Cactus. Linn. Icosandria- 

 Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Cadacem. 



There is but one known species of this genus, 

 which is a weak trailing shrub or bush, a con- 

 necting link between two sections of the order, 

 the Epiphyllum and Rhipsalis. The flowers are 

 produced singly from one of the notches at the 

 upper end of the young branches, and are char- 

 acterized by having only four sepals and four 

 petals. They are of a deep pink color, about 

 two inches long, produced in succession, last a 

 long time, and are succeeded by beautiful little 

 shiny, deep crimson berries. The plant should 

 be grown in soil composed of equal parts of 

 sharp sand, leaf mould, and turfy loam. In a 

 growing state it should have a moist atmos- 

 phere, but in winter it should be kept dry, with 

 plenty of light. It may be increased by cuttings 

 or seeds. It is a native of Honduras, and was 

 introduced in 1839. 



Disperis. From dLs, double, and pera, a pouch ; 

 in allusion to the form of the outer segments of 

 the perianth. Linn. Gynandria-Monogynia. Nat. 

 Ord. Orchidarec'. 



A small genus of terrestrial Orchids from the 

 Cape of Good Hope, bearing scarlet or purple 

 flowers. It requires the same treatment in prop- 

 agation and culture as Disa. 



Disporum. From di.s, double, and poros, a pore ; 

 application not stated. Linn. Hexandria-Mono- 

 yynia. Nat. Ord. Mdanthaceo>. 



A genus of half-hardy herbaceous plants, al- 

 lied to Uvularia. The flowers are small, but 

 rather pretty, of brown or yellow colors. They 

 succeed well in a warm border, if slightly pro- 

 tected in winter. Natives of China and Nepal. 

 Introduced in 1801. Propagated by division of 

 roots. 



Ditch Stone Crop. The common name of Pen- 

 thoruin sedoules. 



Dittany. See Cimiln. 



Dock. See Rttmex. 



Dodder. See C>wntn. 



Dod.ecath.eon. American Cowslip. From dodeka, 

 twelve, and theos, a divinity ; twelve gods or di- 

 vinities of the Romans ; a name absurdly ap- 

 plied to a plant, native of a world the Eomans 

 did not know, and resembling in no particular 

 any plant of their writers. Linn. Pentandria- 

 Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Primutacece. 



This is a genus of native herbaceous peren- 

 nials that deserve extensive cultivation. They 

 are common in rich woods in Pennsylvania and 

 westward to Wisconsin. In the West the com- 

 mon name is Shooting Star. They are exceed- 

 ingly handsome in cultivation, thriving well in 

 a shady border. The flower-stems are one foot 

 or more high, bearing a considerable number of 

 elegant drooping flowers of rosy purple, light 



