HENDERSONS HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



GAS 



ful is this principle, that when Garlic is applied 

 externally, as to the feet, the smell is said to be 

 observed in the breath and perspiration. The 

 common field Garlic, Allium rineale, was sup- 

 posed to have been brought into this country by 

 the Welsh, who planted it for early pasture. It 

 is now completely naturalized, and in many 

 parts of the country is quite a nuisance. A. 

 Ganadense, or Wild Garlic, is indigenous, and 

 common in moist meadows. This differs from 

 the field Garlic in having flat leaves, but is 

 equally to be dreaded. 



Gasteria. From gaster, a belly ; alluding to the 

 swollen base of the flowers. Linn. Hexandria- 

 Monogynia. Nat. Ord. LillacecK. 



A somewhat extensive ge*nus of succulent 

 green-house plants, from the Cape of Good 

 Hope, allied to the Aloe, which they closely re- 

 semble, and require the same treatment. The 

 flowers of most of the species are bright scarlet 

 or red, and very showy. 



Gastrolpbium. From gaster, belly, and lobos, a 

 pod ; inflated seed-pod. Linn. Decandria-Mon- 

 ogynia. Nat. Ord. Fabacecr. 



Handsome New Holland shrubs with bright 

 yellow and orange-colored blossoms, requiring 

 to have an airy situation in the green-house 

 through the winter, and a shaded one out of 

 doors in summer. Propagated by seeds or 

 from cuttings. Introduced in 1840. 



Gastronema. From gaster, belly, and nema, a 

 filament ; in reference to the filaments seen 

 below the points of insertion. Linn. Hexandria- 

 Monogynla. Nat. Ord. AmaryUldacecK. 



A small genus of very pretty, but exceedingly 

 rare bulbs, from South Africa. There are but 

 two species, one with white flowers, the other 

 rose. They will flower freely in the open ground 

 in summer, if planted in early spring. When 

 the foliage shows signs of ripening, take up the 

 bulbs, and keep in a dry place, free from frost, 

 during winter. Propagated by offsets. Intro- 

 duced in 1816. 



Gaultheria. Named after Dr. Gaulther, of Que- 

 bec, Canada. Linn. Decandria-Monogynia. Nat. 

 Ord. Ericacece. 



Of the several species of this genus of low 

 evergreens, two are natives of this country, 

 and perfectly hardy. G. procumbens is found 

 throughout the Northern States, and universally 

 known as Wintergreen. In some sections the 

 berries are called Partridge Berries, in others 

 Checker-berry, Deer-berry, Tea-berry, etc. Win- 

 tergreen oil is distilled from this plant. 



Gaylussacia. See Huckleberry. 



Gazania. From grtza, richness ; in reference to 

 the large, gaudy flowers. Linn. Syngenesia-Frus- 

 tranea. Nat. Ord. AsteracecR. 



A genus of very showy, low-growing, tender 

 herbaceous plants, from the Cape of Good Hope. 

 The flowers are large, yellow, or deep orange 

 color, with almost black centers. They are very 

 ornamental for the green-house, and are well 

 adapted for out-of-door culture. The flowers 

 open only in the sunshine. They are propa- 

 gated readily from cuttings. Introduced in 

 1812. 



Geissorhiza. Tile Root. From geisson, a tile, 

 and rhiza, a root ; referring to the dry coats 

 which cover the fleshy roots, like tiles on a roof. 

 Linn. Tri/mdria-Monogynift. Nat. Ord. Iridacecr. 

 A small genus of South African bulbs, one 

 species of which has been found in Abyssinia. 

 They are all remarkable for having bulbs, or, 

 more correctly, bulbo-tubers, covered with seve- 



GEN 



ral crustaceous or scarious skins or tunics, 

 which lie over each other like scales, or the tiles 

 of a house, beginning from below. It is from 

 this peculiarity that the plants take their Eng- 

 lish name of Tile Root. They have but four leaves, 

 all of which spring from the root, and are nar- 

 row and bristly. The stems are simple or 

 branched, producing one or two flowers each, 

 resembling the Ixia, very showy, of various 

 colors, the white, yellow, and blue predominat- 

 ing. They are properly green-house bulbs, 

 but will succeed finely in a cold frame. They 

 are increased by offsets. Introduced in 1795. 



Gelasine. From gelasinas, a smiling dimple ; re- 

 ferring to the flowers of these pretty bulbs. 

 Linn. Hexandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Iridacece. 

 G. azurea, the only species, is a small bulb 

 from the Rio Grande, producing two to four 

 beautiful blue tulip-shaped flowers on a slender 

 stalk, about one and a half feet high. Propa- 

 gated by offsets, or from seed. Seedlings flower 

 the second year. Introduced in 1838. 



Gelsemiuxn. From geksemiiis, an Italian name 

 of the Jasmine ; alluding to the simplicity of 

 the flowers. Linn. Pentandria-Monogynia. Nat. 

 Ord. Loganiacece. 



A small genus of climbing shrubs, with oppo- 

 site lance-shaped, shining leaves, and produc- 

 ing axillary clusters of showy yellow flowers, 

 very fragrant. It is indigenous to North Caro- 

 lina and southward, and is popularly known as 

 Carolina Jasmine. It is increased by cuttings. 



Genetyllis. From genetyUis, protective of birth; 

 alluding to the form and position of the flowers. 

 Linn. Icosandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Myrtacea;. 

 A small genus of green -house evergreen 

 shrubs, having a heath-like appearance, natives 

 of Australia. The flowers are tulip-shaped, of 

 cream color or crimson, borne in scattered, ter- 

 minal clusters. The species are remarkable for 

 the exquisite sweetness of their foliage, which, 

 with the half-ripe fruit, retains its fragrance for 

 such a length of time that it might possibly be 

 considered worth collecting for the perfumer. 

 They are easy of cultivation. Young plants are 

 obtained from cuttings. 



Genista. From the Celtic gen, a small bush. 

 Linn. Mbnadelphia-Decandria. Nat. Ord. Fabacece. 

 This genus consists of upward of seventy 

 species, inhabiting Europe, North Africa, and 

 Western Asia. Many of the species are perfectly 

 hardy. G. tindoria, an escape from Europe, 

 has taken possession of the dry waste places of 

 Southern New York and New England with the 

 persistency of a native. This species is the 

 English Broom. They are all very handsome, 

 from the profusion of their bright yellow pea- 

 flowers, and are of the easiest culture. The 

 green-house kinds are propagated by cuttings. 



Gentiana. Gentian. Named after Genlius, King 

 of lUyria, who first experienced the virtues of 

 the plant. Linn. Pentandria-Digynia. Nat. Ord. . 

 Gentianacece. 



A large genus of herbaceous perennials, in- 

 habiting all parts of the world, from the regions 

 of perpetual snow upon the summits of the 

 mountains of Europe, to the -hottest sands of 

 South America. They are very common in 

 many parts of this country, some growing on dry 

 hill-sides, others in moist and swampy grounds. 

 All the plants of this genus are pretty, and many 

 are extremely beautiful ; the flowers take in the 

 extremes of color: pink, blue, yellow, and white 

 are all exhibited, the predominating color 

 however, being a beautiful blue. 0. Andrewsii 



