100 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



HAM 



Mravtem, is found on the banks of the Ohio, 

 from Virginia westward, usually in very poor, 

 rocky soil. It is a free-flowering shrub, of a 

 graceful, drooping habit. The flowers are white, 

 resembling those of the Snowdrop. The seeds 

 are curiously winged. This species improves 

 by cultivation, and thrives well in a poor soil, 

 preferring one near water. It is readily in- 

 creased by layering, or from seeds. 



Hamamelis. The Witch Hazel. From hama, 

 together with, and mela, fruit ; referring to the 

 flowers and fruit being on this tree at the 

 same time. Linn. Tetrandria-Digynia. Nat. Ord. 

 HamameKdacece. 



H. Virginica is a native shrub, which will 

 grow freely in any soil that is not too rich, 

 though it prefers a dry, stony gravel. It has 

 the peculiarity of flowering during winter, be- 

 ginning to expand its rich, deep yellow flowers 

 just as its leaves are falling off, and dropping its 

 flowers when its branches begin to be reclothed 

 with leaves in spring. The shrub is celebrated 

 for the extract distilled from its bark and roots. 

 Its seeds contain a quantity of oil, and are edible. 



Hardback. Spircea iomerdosa. 



Harpalium. From Harpalyce, daughter of Ly- 

 curgus. Linn. Syngenesia-l'Yustranea. Nat. Ord. 

 Asitracece. 



II. rigidus, the only species, is Helianthus rigi- 

 dus of Gray, a coarse-growing perennial, with 

 yellow flowers, common in the Western States. 



Harpalyce. After Harpalyce, daughter of Lycur- 

 gns. Linn. Syngenesia-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. 

 Asiemcece. 



A small genus of handsome, erect, pinnate- 

 leaved bushes from Mexico and Brazil. //. 

 Braziliana bears handsome, scarlet pea-shaped 

 flowers in a panicle toward the ends of the 

 shoots. The Mexican species are smooth, and 

 bear purple flowers. Propagated by cuttings. 



Harebell. See Campanula. 



Hart's Tongue. See Scolopendrium. 



Hartford Fern. See Lygodium. 



Hartwegia. Named after M. Harticeg, court" gar- 

 dener to the Emperor of Austria, and once a 

 collector for the Royal Horticultural Society. 

 i>n. Oynandria-Monandria. Nat. Ord. Orchi- 

 dacece. 



A small genus of eoiphytal Orchids, of but 

 little interest, except in large collections. H. 

 purpurea is a very pretty little plant, witli 

 spotted foliage, and long, slender spikes of pur- 



Eish pink flowers. It is an almost constant 

 oomer, growing freely on blocks or cork in an 

 ordinary green-house. It is a native of Mexico. 

 Introduced in 1837. It is increased by division 

 of plants in the spring. 



Hawkweed. See Hieracium. 



Hawprthia. Named in honor of A. H. Haworth, 

 a distinguished English botanist. Linn. Hexan- 

 dria-Monogyiiia. Nat. Ord. Liliacece. 



A pretty an! curious genus of succulents, 

 that offer many inducements to the admirers of 

 that class of plants. They are commonly 

 known as Aloes, from which they were separat- 

 ed. The plants are mostly small, but particu- 

 larly interesting on account of their upright 

 flowers, which are always gray, and the trans- 

 lucent leaves of some of the species. The foliage 

 of all is prettily marked. They are all natives 

 of South Africa. First introduced in 1727. 

 They require the same treatment as the Aloe. 

 They are readily increased from suckers, or from 



Hawthorn. See Cratcegus. 



HED 

 i 



Haylockia. Named after Mr. Haylock, gardener 

 to Dr. Herbert. Linn. Hexandria-Monogynia. Nat. 

 Ord. Amaryllidacece. 



A small bulb from Buenos Ayres, allied to 

 Zephyranthes; flowers straw colored, solitary. It 

 is nearly hardy, the protection of a cold frame 

 only being needed in this climate. Propagated 

 by offsets. Introduced in 1829. 



Hazel Nut. See Corylus. 



Heal-all. See Brunetta. 



Heartsease. See Viola tricolor. 



Heath. See Erica. 



Heather. See Galluna. 



Hedeoma. Mock Pennyroyal. From hedeoma, 

 the Greek name of Mint. Linn. Diandria-Mono- 

 gynia. Nat. Ord. Lamiaceai. 



The only species of interest in this genius is 

 K. pulegioides, the common Pennyroyal of our 

 woods, which is noticed in the genus Mentlia. 



Hedera. The Ivy. The name appears to be de- 

 rived from hedra, a Celtic word, signifying a 

 cord; and the English name, Ivy, is derived 

 from iur, a word in the same language, signify- 

 ing green, from its being always green. Linn. 

 Penlandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Aral'iacece. 



This well-known plant is what botanists call 

 a rooting climber; that is to* say, its stems 

 climb up trees, walls, sides of dwellings, or any 

 other suitable object which presents a sufficient- 

 ly rough surface for their roots to take hold of; 

 as, unless this is the case, the Ivy, whenever it 

 is rendered heavy by rain or snow, falls down. 

 Whenever, therefore, Ivy is wanted to cover 

 smooth, newly-plastered walls, the Ivy should 

 be nailed against them, or secured with copper 

 wire. The Ivy is remarkable for undergoing a 

 complete change in its leaves when it flowers. 

 The barren, or creeping Ivy, which trails along 

 the ground, and roots into it, rarely flowers, and 

 its leaf is deeply cut; but the tree Ivy, or flow- 

 ering part, rears itself on high, so as to be fully 

 exposed to the light and air, and the leaves be- 

 come of an oval shape. H. Canarlensis, the giant 

 or Irish Ivy, as it is sometimes called, though it 

 is a native of the Canaries, is hardier and grovp 

 much faster than the common kind ; but the va- 

 riegated kinds are tender, and grow much 

 slower. Ivy requires a deep and somewhat 

 light soil, into which its roots can penetrate 

 easily ; and when grown for any purpose in pots 

 or boxes, it should be abundantly supplied with 

 water. Ivy is useful in all cases where a naked 

 space is to be covered with green in a short 

 space of time; and it is particularly valuable in 

 town gardens, as it will bear the smoke and 

 want of pure air in cities better than most 

 other plants. It should, however, in all close and 

 crowded situations, be abundantly supplied 

 with water, and occasionally syringed over the 

 leaves. The gold and silver varieties are very 

 beautiful, especially the former, when grown 

 against the chimney of a dwelling-house or 

 green-house; but they, like nearly all variegated 

 leaved plants, are more tender, and require a 

 higher temperature than the plain green-leaved 

 kinds. Increased freely by cuttings. 



Hedge Bindweed. See Calysteyia. 



Hedge Mustard. See Sisymbrium offisinale and 

 JSrysimnm. 



Hedge Nettle. See Slachys. 

 Hedychium. Garland Flower. From hedy*, 

 sweet, and chion, snow; in reference to the 

 sweet-scented, snow-white flowers of some of 

 the species. Linn. Monandria-Monogynia. Nat. 

 Ord. Zingiberacece. 



