HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



09 



GYM 



Introduced from Brazil in 1863. Perhaps better 

 known under the name of Flttonia. 



Gymnothrix. A genus of Grasses, now united 

 with Pennisdum. 



Gynerium. Pampas Grass. From yyne, female, 

 and crion, wool; the stigmas being woolly. Linn. 

 Dioetia-Diandi'M. Nat. Ord. Graminacece. 



A genus of ornamental Grasses. That which 

 is best known and cultivated is ft. aryenteuin, 

 Pampas Grass, so called from its being a na- 

 tive of the vast plains of South America, called 

 Pampas. This splendid Grass is not sufficient- 

 ly hardy at the North without a mulching of dry 

 leaves or litter around the roots. The clumps 

 can be taken up in the fall, and kept in any 

 convenient place away from frost during winter. 

 With the best possible care and culture there 

 cannot be produced, such, magnificent plumes, 



HAL 



either North or South, as are grown in Southern 

 California, where the plumes are grown largely 

 for Northern and European markets. This spe- 

 cies was first introduced in 1848. 

 Gypsophila. From yifpsos, chalk, and phileo, to 

 love; in reference to the soil most suitable for 

 them. Linn. Decandria-Digynia. Nat. Ord. Cur- 

 yopln//I< i <"'. 



" This genus is characterized more by grace 

 than striking beauty of flowers. The flowers 

 are small, but produced in great numbers in 

 loose, graceful panicles. They are plants that 

 are easily cultivated, and are propagated by di- 

 vision and seeds, the latter in the open ground 

 in spring." The flowers of the species are use- 

 ful in making up in dried bouquets, as they re- 

 tain their color during winter perfectly, They 

 are also well adapted ibr rock-work. 



H. 



Habenaria. Rein Orchis. From habena, a rein 

 or thong; referring to the long strap-shaped 

 spur. Linn. (fynandria-Monandria. Nat. Ord. 

 Orchidacece. 



A well-known and somewhat extensive genus 

 of terrestrial Orchids, pretty generally distribut- 

 ed. Our native species have very curiously- 

 shaped flowers, which are generally yellow, but 

 sometimes purple, and occasionally white. They 

 grow well in moist, shady situations. Several 

 of the species are to be found in marshy places 

 on the south side of Long Island. 



Habranthus. From habros, delicate, and anthos, 

 a flower. Linn. Hexandtia - Monoyynia. Nat. 

 Ord. Amaryllidacect'. 



Very handsome South American bulbs, which, 



like the rest of the order, should have a decided 

 season of rest. They grow best in a rich soil 

 composed of loam, rotted manure, and sand, 

 should be well-drained, and have plenty of 

 water when growing or flowering. These plants 

 are found growing in dry, gravelly places, and 

 are half hardy. They will winter in a cold 

 frame with slight protection. Introduced in 

 1821. 



Habrothamnus. From habros, gay, and thamnos, 

 a shrub. Linn. Pentandr'M-Monoyynia. Nat. Ord. 

 Solanacea;. 



A genus of Mexican shrubs, closely allied to 

 Oestrum, and one of the gayest productions of 

 that country. The panicles of red or purple 

 flowers are borne in abundance, and justify the 

 name applied to them. Propagated by cuttings. 

 The species do well with the treatment of Pelar- 

 gonium. Introduced in 1844. 



Hackberry. See Cdtis. 



Hackmatack. A local name for Larix Ameri- 

 </<//, the American or Black Larch. 



Hacquetea. In honor of B. Haajuct, a German 

 botanist. Linn. Pvidandr'M-Diyynia. Nat. Ord. 

 Apiacece. 



II. epipactis, the only species, in a hardy 

 herbaceous perennial plant, of very dwarf habit, 

 having digitate three-lobed leaves, and a single 

 umbel of small yellow flowers. It is a native of 

 the Alps, and, like most Alpine plants, difficult 

 to manage here. 



Haemanthus. From haima, blood, and anttios, 

 flower ; referring to the color of the spathe and 

 filaments of some species. Linn. HexandriorMon-' 

 ogynia. Nat. Ord. AmaryUidaceo'. 



A genus of South American bulbous plants, 

 producing large scarlet, orange, and yellow 

 flowers of very singular appearance. H. coccinea 

 is a beautiful species, and does well in the green- 

 house. It should be grown in sandy loam and 

 leaf mould. It is a strong grower, requiring con- 

 siderable room. After making its growth it re- 

 quires a season of perfect rest, after which it 

 throws up its flower stalk, and should have 

 plenty of water. They grow in fall and winter, 

 and rest during spring and summer. Propa- 

 gated by offsets. Introduced in 1629. 



Haematoxylon. Logwood. From haima, blood, 

 xylon, wood ; Logwood is well-known for its red 

 color. Linn. Decandria-Monoyynia. Nat. Ord. 

 FabaceoK. 



H. Campechianum, the well-known Logwood of 

 commerce, is the only representative of this 

 genus. It is a handsome evergreen tree, grow- 

 ing about forty feet high, with a trunk about a 

 foot and a half in diameter. It was first found 

 on the Bay of Campeachy, in Yucatan, whence 

 its specific name. It is also found in other 

 parts of Central America, and has been intro- 

 duced into, and become naturalized in, many of 

 the West Indian Islands. Its importance con- 

 sists in its value as a dye-wood, for which pur- 

 pose it forms an important article of commerce. 



Hakea. Named after Baron Hake, a German 

 patron of botany. Linn. Tetrandria-Monoyynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Proieacea;. 



A genus of green-house evi'i-groon shrubs, 

 containing more than a hundred species, all 

 natives of New Holland. The flowers of nearly 

 all are white, produced in axillary clusters. 

 None of the species has sufficient beauty, either 

 in flower or foliage, to give it a place in ordinary 

 collections. 



Halesia. The Snowdrop Tree. Named after Dr. 

 Jf'ilt-s, author of Vetjdable Statics. Linn. Dodecan- 

 dria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Styracacea?. 



A small genus of hardy deciduous shrubs or 

 low-growing trees. One of the species, 11. 



