HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS 



81 



sp 



ESC 



Eschscholtzia. Named after Dr. Eschxcholtz, a 

 botanist. Linn. Poty&ndria-Tetragyriia. Nat. Ord. 

 PajtaveracetK. 



Annual plants, with showy flowers, natives of 

 California, on which account the first species in- 

 troduced was called the California Poppy. The 

 seeds should be sown in the open border as soon 

 they are ripe, as, if the sowing be delayed till 

 ring, the plants frequently do not flower till 

 the second year. Sometimes they will live, and 

 flower two, or even three years in succession, 

 though this is very rarely the case. 



Eucalyptus. From en, well, and katypto, to 

 cover ; the limb of the calyx covers the flower 

 before expansion, and afterward falls off in the 

 shape of a lid or cover. Linn. Icosandria-Mono- 

 (jynla, Nat. Ord. Myrtacece. 



An extensive genus of immense evergreen 

 trees, of the Australian and Tasmanian forests. 

 E. globulus, the Blue Gum Tree, has been exten- 

 sively planted within the past few years in the 

 Southern States and California, for the reputa- 

 tion it has of absorbing malaria. The tree is 

 very ornamental, and furnishes timber of a su- 

 perior quality. Its rapid growth excites the won- 

 der and admiration of those already accustomed 

 to the extraordinary development of the vege- 

 table kingdom on the Pacific coast. It will be 

 remembered that Australia sent to the World's 

 Fair at London in 1863 a plank from this tree 

 250 feet long. Young plants are readily obtained 

 from seed or from cuttings. The species are not 

 hardy in the United States north of the Caro- 

 linas. 



Eucharidium. From eucharis, agreeable ; in al- 

 lusion to the appearance of the plant. Linn. 

 Octandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Onagracece. 



A genus of pretty little annuals from Califor- 

 nia, allied to the Clarkias. They come into flower 

 in six weeks after germination, and are perfectly 

 hardy. They succeed best in a rich, loamy soil. 

 Introduced in 1836. 



Eucharis. Lily of the Amazon. From eucharis, 

 agreeable; alluding to the fragrant flowers. Linn. 

 Jlexandria-Monofjynia. Nat. Ord. AmaryllidacecK. 

 As far as known there are but three species in 

 this genus, all free-growing bulbous plants of 

 rare beauty and delicious fragrance. They 

 should be grown in the hot-house or a warm 

 green-house. The flowers are produced in a 

 truss of from four to eight, according to the 

 strength of the bulb and manner of treatment, 

 and are born on a stem that lifts them just above 

 the leaves. They are pure waxy white and of 

 great substance. If asked for the plant produc- 

 ing the best white flowers for the hot-house, for 

 the decoration of vases, or for any other purpose 

 where white flowers are wanted, we should un- 

 hesitatingly recommend the Eucharis, as com- 

 bining all the essentials of the perfect flower. ' 

 The species are of recent introduction, and from 

 a general impression that they are difficult to 

 manage, are but little grown. The plant is found 

 growing by the side of a river ; consequently, 

 moisture and heat are essential to the develop- 

 ment of its flowers. The ease with which it is 

 now cultivated, the fact that a dozen or more 

 large pots of it will furnish flowers nearly the 

 whole year, make it invaluable in all collections 

 of choice plants. The plants may be potted at 

 any time of the year, taking care not to damage 

 the bulbs or roots, and remove as much of the 

 old soil as possible. The soil should be com- 

 posed of loam, leaf mould, sand, and well-rotted 

 manure in equal proportions ; give the pots lib- 



EUL 



crul drainage. While they are growing freely 

 they should have plenty of water and liquid ma- 

 nure twice a week. They should be syringed 

 twice a day. The temperature of the house dur- 

 ing winter should not fall below 70, and they 

 should have a good share of sunshine. If 

 wanted to flower during the winter months, 

 water should be used sparingly from August 

 to October. The bulbs should be disturbed as 

 little as possible, re-potting when necessary, 

 without division. Side shoots may be taken off 

 at any time and potted in small pets, and, if 

 well managed, they will flower in a year. The 

 green fly and thrips are apt to trouble them; 

 they should then be sponged off or got rid of 

 by smoking every alternate day for a week. The 

 three species are E. grandiflora, the largest and 

 best, E. Amazonicu, and E. Candida, a small flow- 

 ering species, but very beautiful. They all re- 

 quire the same general treatment. This plant 

 was first introduced in 1864. 



Eucodonia. A genus of Mexican plants separated 

 from Achinieneti. The species grown for its flow- 

 ers was also called Maudirola lanata. 



Eucornis. From eukoniea, beautiful-haired ; re- 

 ferring to the tufted crown of the flower-spike. 

 Linn. Hexandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Li&acea:. 

 A genus of coarse-growing bulbs from the 

 Cape of Good Hope, requiring green-house treat- 

 ment, as they rest in summer. E. bifolia, one of 

 the species, has only two leaves, lying flat on the 

 ground, and a short raceme of pale green flow- 

 ers. The only merit of the species is in the fra- 

 grance of the flowers. They grow with the most 

 ordinary treatment, and are propagated by off- 

 sets. Introduced in 1774. 



Eucrosia. From eu, beautiful, and krossos, a 

 fringe ; referring to the cup above the insertion 

 of the stamens. Linn. Hexandrui-Monogynia. Nat. 

 Ord. Amaryllidacece. 



A. genus of green-house bulbs from South 

 America, mostly from the western declivity of 

 the Peruvian Andes. E. bicolor, the only species, 

 has bright vermilion flowers, with a purple stripe 

 on the outside of the petals. They are borne in 

 a terminal cluster on a scape about one foot 

 high. They should be grown in a warm green- 

 house. In winter they require perfect rest. 

 Propagated by offsets. Introduced in 1816. 



Eugenia. Rose Apple. Named after Prince En- 

 <jnne of Saxony. Linn. Icosandria-Mono<jijnia. Nat. 

 Ord. Myrtacece. 



A genus of handsome shrubs, grown as fruit 

 trees in the East Indies, but grown in English 

 hot-houses for their splendid white flowers, that 

 are produced freely. Propagated by cuttings of 

 the ripe wood, which strike freely. Recent 

 botanists place here E. Pimenta, which produces 

 the Allspice of commerce. See Pimenta. 



Eulalia. Derivation of name unknown. Linn. 

 Tri'utdria-Difft/niu. Nat. Ord. (rraminacecK. 



We are indebted to the American Agriculturist 

 for the following history and description of this 

 genus : "One of the most beautiful of orna- 

 mental grasses is the variegated Eulalia Japonica, 

 which was sent from Japan several years ago by 

 Mr. Thomas Hogg. It was illustrated in 'Hearth 

 and Home ' in 1871, and a year or two later was 

 placed in the trade. It is a robust perennial 

 grass, forming, when well established, large 

 clumps, with firm, but graceful leaves, which are 

 marked with alternate stripes of creamy-white 

 and green, much after the manner of the old 

 ' Ribbon or Striped Grass ' of the gardens, and 

 presenting quite as much variety in the striping. 



