HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



EPI 



the West Indies, Mexico, and South America. 

 Propagated by division. The first species was 

 introduced in 1738. 



Eoieasa. Trailing Arbutus. From epl, upon, ami 

 5'iVthe earth; referring to its trailing habit. 

 Linn. Decantlria-Uonogynia. Nat. Ord. Ericas. 

 K repena, the only species, is one of our most 

 beautiful native, early spring-flowering plants. 

 It is a low-growing evergreen shrub, producing 

 axillary clusters of small rose-colored nosers, 

 remarkable for their rich, spicy fragrance. I hey 

 are usually found in the shade of Pines or 

 Scrub Oaks. In warm, sheltered situations they 

 show their flowers early in April. It is com- 

 monly known on Long Island, where it grows 

 in great abundance, as Trailing Arbutus, in 

 New England as May Flower, and in many lo- 

 calities as Ground Laurel. It can be easily 

 grown in the shaded border by removing the 

 plant from the woods in autumn, being careful 

 not to disturb the roots. After planting in a 

 sandy soil protect from sun and winds by a 

 slight covering of dry leaves. Clumps carefully 

 taken up in autumn, and put in a cool green- 

 house in February, will come into flower in 

 March. 



Epilobium. Willow Herb. From epi, upon, and 

 Tofctf, a pod ; flowers superior or seated on the 

 seed-pod. Linn. Octandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. 



ERI 



A genus of tall- growing, hardy herbaceous 

 plants, chiefly natives of Europe, some of whicli 

 have become naturalized in this country. Sev- 

 eral of our native species are showy plants, with 

 large spikes of pink flowers, that would make 

 them conspicuous border plants. They are all 

 of easy culture, taking care of themselves when 

 once planted. They are increased by division 

 in spring, or from seeds. 



Epiphoria. A pretty little terrestrial Orchid, 

 from South Africa, with yellow flowers streaked 

 with red. . pubescens, the only species, was 

 taken from Polystachia, which see. 



Epiphyllum. Crab's Claw Cactus, Lobster-leav- 

 ea Cactus. From epl, upon, and phytton, a 

 leaf ; flowers borne on the ends of the leaf-like 

 branches. Linn. Icosandria-Monoyynia. Nat. 

 Ord. CadaceoK. 



A genus of very beautiful Cactaceous plants, 

 natives of Brazil, where they are generally found 

 upon the trunks of trees. The varieties are nu- 

 merous. They are largely cultivated for their 

 showy flowers, the colors being various; they are 

 produced upon the ends of the branches. E. 

 tru in-lit HIII and its varieties are the kinds usually 

 met in our green-houses. The Epiphyllum is 

 often grafted on Cereus Iriangularis, C. grandi- 

 florus, C. serpentinua, and others, but does best, 

 perhaps, on the Pereskia. A large, symmetrical 

 head is easily formed, and with proper attention 

 will make a plant worthy of a situation in any 

 green-house. Their culture is of the easiest 

 description. They delight in a rich, well- 

 drained, sandy soil, and should have plenty of 

 air, water, and sunlight while they are growing. 

 The Epiphyllum is one of the best of sitting- 

 room plants, and may be had in bloom from 

 November to March with good management. 

 There were formerly many species included in 

 this genus, most of which are now found in 

 ' '"/><*, Cereus, and Phyllocaclus. 



Episcia. From epi, upon, and skia, a shadow; 

 on account of the plants delighting in shady 

 places. Linn. Didynamia-Angiospermia. Nat. 

 Ord. Oesneracea.-. 



A small genus, nearly related to Besler'M, 

 natives of the West Indies and Central America. 

 They require the same treatment as the various 

 other classes of this natural order. 

 Equestrian Star. See Hippeastrum. 

 Eranthemum. From erao, to love, and anthos, a 

 flower ; referring to the beauty of the flowers. 

 Lhm. Diandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Acanthacece. 

 A somewhat extensive genus of winter-flower- 

 ing green-house plants, found pretty generally 

 distributed throughout tropical and sub-tropi- 

 cal countries. The flowers are small, purple, 

 white, blue, or rose colored. They require the 

 treatment of soft-wooded plants of the same 

 class. Two species of recent introduction, E. 

 tricolor and E. sanguinea, are equal to Dracaenas 

 in their beautiful crimson and carmine-colored 

 foliage, which fit them either for massing out- 

 side or as specimens in the green-house. Prop- 

 agated by cuttings. Introduced in 1796. 

 Eranthis. Winter Aconite. From er, spring, and 

 anthos, a flower ; referring to its early flowering. 

 Linn. Polyandria-Hexagynia. Nat. Ord. Ranun- 

 culacece. 



A small genus of hardy tuberous-rooted plants, 

 natives of Italy and Siberia. E. hy emails is the 

 well-known Winter Aconite. It is one of the 

 earliest and most hardy of spring flowers, 

 throwing up its pretty yellow blossoms long 

 before the snow disappears, and continuing in 

 flower for several weeks. This is the only 

 species under cultivation, and is freely propa- 

 gated by division of the tubers. It has been 

 under cultivation since 1596. 



Eria. From erion, wool ; referring to the down on 

 the leaves of some of the species. Linn. Gynan- 

 dria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Orch'idacece. 



A small genus of pretty flowering hot-house 

 Orchids, allied to Dendrobium, mostly from the 

 East Indies. They require the same treatment 

 as Stanhopea. Propagated by division. Intro- 

 duced in 1837. 



Erianthus. Woolly Beard-Grass. From erion, 

 wool, and anthos, a flower. Linn. Triandria- 

 Trigynia. Nat. Ord. Gh-aminacece. 



A small genus of tall-growing, reed-like grasses. 

 The E. Rai-ennce, a rival to the Pampas Grass, 

 though not so beautiful, is more valuable in 

 this latitude, being perfectly hardy, and pro- 

 ducing its graceful plumes in autumn in great 

 abundance. It makes a magnificent lawn plant. 

 Propagated by root division and from seed. 

 Introduced in 1824. 



Erica. Heath. From erico, to break ; referring 

 to the brittle nature of the wood. Linn. Octan- 

 dria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Ericacew. 



This genus comprehends a great number of 

 species, the most of which are very beautiful 

 and interesting plants. Several hundred of the 

 species, including all that are desirable for indoor 

 culture.are natives of Table Mountain at the Cape 

 of Good Hope. They all occupy elevated ranges, 

 enjoying a pure air, refreshed by copious dews, 

 and exposed for a long period to a dry, arid atmo- 

 sphere. The Heath, however, can never be culti- 

 vated as successfully here as in England, as our 

 climate is too dry and hot in summer. They are 

 readily propagated by cuttings of half-ripened 

 wood, which is in proper condition when it begins 

 to turn brown. They are easily grown from seed, 

 an interesting way, on account of the varieties 

 produced when a little care has been given in 

 cross-fertilization. The seeds should be sown 

 in pots of finely-sifted leaf-mould, pressed 

 tightly into the pot, well watered before sowing, 



