HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



E. 



EAR 



Earina. From earinos, the spring ; the time of 

 their flowering. Linn. Gynandria-Monoyynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Orchidnceiv. 



A genus of very rare Orchids. The stems are 

 terminated by dense oblong spikes of white 

 flowers, which are delightfully fragrant. They 

 were introduced from New Zealand in 1843. 

 Ebony. See Diospyros. 



Eccremocarpus. From el, -Ar^/ies, pendant, and 

 L-ti rpos, fruit; position of seed-pods. Linn. Didy- 

 ii.'iiii'iif-Anyiospfrmia. Nat. Ord. Blgnon'm <>'. 



A half-hardy climber, of exceedingly vigor- 

 ous growth, producing a great profusion of 

 orange-scarlet flowers, and ripening an abun- 

 dance of seed. If cut down to the root in au- 

 tumn, and covered with dead leaves, straw, or 

 anything to preserve it from the frost during 

 winter, it will shoot up again the following 

 spring. It may be propagated by cuttings, but 

 it ripens seed so freely that it is most easily 

 raised from them. They should be sown in 

 autumn, as soon as they are ripe, on a slight 

 hot-bed ; and the plants, which should be kept 

 in a frame or green-house, should be shifted 

 two or three times till they are ready for plant- 

 ing out in April or May. The species are natives 

 of Peru. Introduced in 1824. 

 Echeandia. Named after Gfrey. Echeandia, botani- 

 cal professor at Saragossa. Linn. Hexandria- 

 Monoyynia. Nat. Ord. LUiacea;. 



A small genus of exceedingly rare tender 

 herbaceous perennials, discovered near the Real 

 del Monte Ninas, Mexico, by Mr. John Rule, 

 and sent by him to England in 1837. It is allied 

 to the Anthericum, which in habit of growth it 

 resembles. The flower spike grows nearly three 

 feet high, branching, and during July and Au- 

 gust it produces daily several flowers, Asphodel- 

 shaped, of a bright orange-yellow color. It is 

 increased ironi seeds. 



Echeveria. In honor of M. Echeveri, author of 

 the splendid drawings of the Flora Mexicani. 

 Linn. Decandria-Tetrayynia. Nat. Ord. O.s.-- 

 lacffn. 



The Echeverias are succulent plants, all more 

 or less ornamental, particularly so when in 

 flower. Some are dwarf and herb-like in their 

 manner of growth, and others more or less 

 shrubby in their habit. They are all free-grow- 

 ing plants, suitable for rockeries, edgings, or 

 massing; where "carpet bedding" is done the 

 fr-l,e>:erias are indispensable. They require the 

 protection of the green-house during winter, 

 and, like most other succulents, to be carefully 

 watered; in fact, the soil must never approach 

 a soddened condition. They must, however, be 

 freely supplied with water while in a growing 

 condition. The Echeverias are readily propa- 

 gated by the leaves, especially those produced 

 along the flower-stem, and by seeds. They re- 

 quire a very open or porous soil, consisting of 

 loam and coarse sand. They are chiefly natives 

 of Mexico. Some of the more popular kinds are 

 of recent introduction. 



Echinacea. Purple Cone-Flower. From 7,/'/io.v, 

 a hedge-hog; referring to the involucre, or scaly 

 covering of the flowers. Linn, tiynynn *i<i-Sn l >, ,- 

 fiua. Nat. Ord. As1i-r<t<->-"\ 



A small genus of coarse-growing, hardy her- 



EDW 



baceous perennials, bearing large purple or red- 

 dish flowers, with a dark center. They are com- 

 mon South and West. 



Echinocactus. From vchiiio*, hedge-hog, andcar- 

 ttts ; & name given by Theophrastus to a spiny 

 plant. Linn. Icotsandria-Monoyynia. Nat. Ord. 

 Cactaoea'. 



This genus is one of the most beautiful of the 

 order; the grotesque appearance of the plants, 

 crowned as they are at times with their large 

 flowers, render them objects of much attention 

 among the admirers of this class of vegetable 

 forms. The soil we prefer for their culture is a 

 mixture of rich loam, thoroughly decomposed 

 manure, and sand, in equal quantities. This 

 must be well drained by mixing small lumps of 

 charcoal and potsherds with the earth, and by 

 placing a layer of the same material at the bot- 

 tom of the pots. Through the winter the plants 

 should be kept in a reduced temperature, such 

 as that of a green-house, and have little or no 

 water, but in summer they grow and flower 

 more freely if allowed a stove temperature and 

 a liberal supply of moisture. Bright sunlight 

 is essential to their vigor at all seasons, but 

 most particularly so in autumn and winter. 

 The genus comprises many species; more than 

 "half of them natives of Mexico, the rest being 

 distributed throughout South America. They 

 are propagated by offsets, which should be dried 

 a few days after being taken off the plant. First 

 introduced in 1796. 



Echinops. Globe Thistle. From echinos, a hedge- 

 hog, and opsis, like; referring to the spiny scales 

 of the involucre, or covering of composite flow- 

 ers. Linn. Syngenesia-Seyreyata. Nat. Ord. Aster- 

 acecK. 



A genus of hardy annual, biennial, and per- 

 ennial plants, generally with blue flowers, ar- 

 ranged in dense round clusters at the ends of 

 the branches, so that each cluster of flower-heads 

 has the appearance of a single head, containing 

 many florets. They are all of easy culture, and 

 will grow in almost any situation. For moder- 

 ate-sized gardens, they are too rank growing 

 and coarse to be useful. Natives of Southern 

 Europe. Propagated by seeds and division. 



Echites. From eckis, a viper; referring to the 

 snake-like coils of the twining shoots. Linn. 

 Pen'andria-M^noyynia. Nat. Ord. Apocynacece. 



A genus of magnificent green-house climbing 

 plants, with yellow, white, red, and crimson 

 flowers and richly-veined leaves. Thev closely 

 resemble Diplndenia, which may be referred to 

 for culture. It is an extensive genus, pretty gen- 

 erally distributed throughout South America 

 and the East Indies. 



Echium. Viper's Bugloss. From echis, a viper: 

 seeds like the viper's head. Linn. Pentunaria- 

 Monoyynia. Nat. Ord. Boranyinaceo: 



Perennial, biennial, and annual plants, gene- 

 rally with rich dark-blue flowers; though some 

 of the kinds that are natives of the Cap of Good 

 Hope and the Canaries have red, white, or vio- 

 let flowers. They are easily propagated by seedfl 

 or division of the root. First introduced in 1683. 



Edwardsia. In honor of Sydenliam Edwards, 

 a celebrated English botanical draughtsman. 

 Linn. Decttndria-Monoyyttiu. Nat. Ord. Fabacea;. 



