HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



107 



HYM 



Hymenodium. A synonym of Acrostichum, which 

 see. 



Hymenophyllum. Filmy-leaf Fern. From hy- 

 men, a membrane, and phyUon, a leaf. Linn. 

 Cryptogamia-Filices. Nat. Ord. Polypodiacece. 



A genus of very beautiful Ferns, mostly n itives 

 of Chili and New Zealand, where they grow in 

 moist ravines. The fronds are variable, some 

 being very minute, and others of large size; 

 some 3 single, others compound. Several of the 

 species are highly esteemed for cultivation in the 

 green-house. 



Hyoscyamus. From hyos, a hog, and kyamos, a 

 bean ; the fruit is eaten by hogs. Linn. Pe/dan- 

 dria-Monor/ynia. Nat. Ord. tiokinacecv. 



Common Henbane, whose virtue consists in 

 the supposed power it has of absorbing malaria 

 that is generated around filthy habitations. 



Hypsricum. St. John's Wort. The name is said 

 to be derived from yper, over, and eicon, an image; 

 the superior part of the flower repr os ants a figure. 

 Linn. Polyadelphm-Polyandria. Nat. Ord. Hyperi- 

 cacea;. 



The pretty yellow-flowered shrubs and herba- 

 ceous perennials known by this name at the 

 present day, were formerly, in ignorant commu- 

 nities, in high repute for driving away evil spir- 

 its ; and on this account were generally planted 

 near dwelling-houses. Thsy were also highly 

 valued for their medicinal properties, being be- 

 lieved to have a powerful effect in stopping blood 

 and healing wounds. All the kinds will thrive un- 



IMA 



der the drip of trees ; and they will grow almost 

 anywhere, though they prefer moisture and a 

 moderate shade They are found in almost all 

 the temperate climates of the world ; and they 

 are propagated by seeds, and by dividing the 

 roots. 



Hypoxis. Star Grass. From hypo, beneath, and 

 oxys, sharp ; referring to the seed pod. Linn. 

 llexandria-MoniM/yniu. Nat. Ord. Ainaryllidacf<K. 

 A very pratty bulb, found in meadows and 

 waste places on Long Island and .southward. 

 The flowjrs are bright yellow inside, brownish 

 outside, and borne in umbels on a scape about 

 one f x>t high. 



Hyssop. See llyssopiis. 



Hyssopus. The derivation of this word is rather 

 uncertain. By some it is said to be from the He- 

 brew ezob; others assert it to be from the Arabic 

 azzqf. Linn. Didynamia-Gymnospermia. Nat. Ord. 

 Lamiacece. 



The garden Hyssop is a native of Siberia and 

 the mountainous parts of Austria. It was early 

 introduced into the garden in this country, and 

 has escaped in many places to the roadsides. It 

 is considerably grown as a medicinal herb ; it is 

 not, however, estaemed except in domestic prac- 

 tice. This is not supposed to be the Hyssop 

 mentioned in the Old Testament, and it has not 

 been ascertained what plant is referred to. As 

 it was one of the smallest plants, and " grew 

 out of the wall," some have conjectured it to be 

 one of the mosses. 



I. 



Iberis. Candytuft. From Iberia, ancient name 

 of Spain, where the original species abounds. 

 Linn. Tetradynamia. Nat. Ord. Brassicacea:. 



The genus consists of annuals, biennials, and 

 perennials, all perfectly hardy and of the easiest 

 culture. The common name Candytuft was given 

 because they flower in tufts, and the first intro- 

 duced species, 1. umbellata, was brought from 

 Candia. For early flowering of the annual va- 

 rieties, the seed should be sown in the fall, and 

 slightly protected from the sun, during winter, 

 by leaves or any convenient dry mulching. 

 They will come into flower in May. The plants 

 of 1. cwonaria, Rocket Candytuft, should be 

 thinned out to one or two feet apart each way ; 

 then, if in rich soil, they will completely cover 

 the ground. 



Ice Plant. See Mestmbfynnthcmum. 



Idesia. Derivation of name not given. Linn. 

 Peniandria-Monorjynia. Nat. Ord. Fiacourtiaceo!. 

 I. polycarpa, a representative species of this 

 genus, is a beautiful tree found in Japan, and 

 said to be perfectly hardy around New York. 

 Its leaves are from si's: to eight inches broad, 

 and nearly round. The leaf stem is from six to 

 twelve inches long, and bright red. The flow- 

 ers are yellowish-green, in long drooping ra- 

 cemes, and very fragrant. The fruit is about 

 the size of a Cherry, of an orange color, and 

 edible. 



Ilex. The Holly. Name originally from the Cel- 

 tic, oc or ac, signifying a point ; on account of 

 the prickly leaves. Linn. Tetrandria-Telra<iijni-i. 

 Nat. Ord. y 



An extensive genus of evergreen trees and 

 shrubs, remarkable for their glossy, prickly 

 foliage, and scarlet fruit, that remains on the 

 shrub during the winter. They are well adapt- 

 ed for the lawn or for hedges, and grow best in 

 a dry loam. /. aquifolium is the Holly of the 

 English gardens, and I. opaca is the Ameri- 

 can Holly, which grows plentifully on Staten 

 Island. It is to be regretted that the English 

 Holly, the most beautiful of all evergreens, is 

 unsuited to our climate, being in the Northern 

 States too tender to withstand our winters, 

 while the hot, dry summers of the Southern 

 States are equally inj urious to it. 



Illicium. Aniseed Tree. From illicio, to allure; 

 referring to the perfume. Linn. Polyandria- 

 Hexagynia. Nat. Ord. Magnoliacea;. 



A small genus of evergreen shrubs or low-grow- 

 ing trees, with smooth entire leaves, exhaling, 

 when bruised, a strong odor of Aniseed. They 

 are natives of the extreme Southern States, Ja- 

 pan, Southern China, and Asia. /. reliyiosum, a 

 Japanese species, is a small tree about the size 

 of a cherry, and is held sacred by the Japanese. 

 The leaves of this species, like those of l.flori- 

 danum, are said to possess poisonous properties. 

 In Alabama the plant has acquired the name of 

 Poison-Bay. 



Imantophyllum. From iman, a leather thong, 

 and phyttun, a leaf ; alluding to the shape and 

 substance of the foliage. Linn. Hexandrui-Mono- 

 ji.lnin. Nat. Ord. AmaryllidacecK. 



Those with authority to speak of plants seem 

 determined that the only species of this genus 



