HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



115 



LAG 



This is a lovely genus of plants, most of tho 

 species being compact in their growth, with 

 evergreen foliage, resembling, in many respects, 

 the genus Cattleya, to which some of them are 

 equal in the beauty of their flowers. They pro- 

 duce their flowers, which are large, distinct in 

 color, and very handsome, on spikes of varied 

 length, from the top of their pseudo-bulbs. 

 These plants merit a place in every collection, 

 and will amply repay the cultivator for any cure 

 they may require ; indeed, the Lxlias are among 

 our finest Orchids, whether for winter or sum- 

 mer flowering. B. 8. William*. All the species 

 are natives of Mexico and South America, and 

 were first introduced in 1835. 

 Lagenaria. Bottle Gourd. From kijena, a bot- 

 tle ; referring to the shape of the fruit of some 

 species. Linn. Mpncetia-Mon f :ideli>hia. Nat. Ord. 

 CucurbitacefK. 



An East Indian species of Gourd, sometimes 

 grown on account of its curious shape. Like 

 most of the order, the pulp is poisonous. The 

 common name does not indicate the shape of 

 all the species, some being pear-shaped, some 

 nearly round, and others egg-shaped. They 

 should have a trellis or brush to run upon. Sow 

 the seed at the same time as Melons and 

 Squashes . Introduced in 1597. 

 Lag^erstroemia. In honor of Magnus Lager strain 

 of Gottenburgh. Linn. Polyandrui-Monogynia . 

 Nat. Ord. Lrfhraceoi. 



A genus of handsome, free-flowering shrubs 

 from India. L. Indica is commonly known as 

 Crape Myrtle, and is a favorite half-hardy shrub. 

 It can be planted out in the border in spring, 

 and will bloom profusely during midsummer. 

 At the approach of winter take it up, put it in a 

 tub or box, and keep it in the cool part of the 

 green-house or in a dry cellar, giving but very 

 little water. There are several varieties of this 

 species, haying purple, pink, and white flowers. 

 The latter is rather a shy bloomer, and is of 

 smaller habit. Propagated by cuttings. 

 Lagetta. Lace Bark. Lagetto is the name of the 

 species at Jamaica. Linn. Odandria-Jfonoijynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Thtjrndacece. 



A genus of West Indian, tall-growing trees, in- 

 teresting from the peculiar formation of the bark 

 of some of the species. The inner bark of L. 

 lintearla consists of numerous concentric layers 

 of fibers which are interlaced in all directions, 

 mid thus presents a great degree of resemblance 

 to lace, whence the common name of the tree. 

 Lagurus. From l<t jos, a hare, and oura, a tail ; 

 on account of the resemblance of its heads. Linn. 

 Ti'i'indrki-Diijt/iiin. Nat. Ord. Graminacen'. 



L. ovalus, the only species, is a common weed, 

 found in Guernsey and some parts of Asia. 

 Lalage. Named after L-timjr, a gay, witty dame 

 immortalized by Horace. Linn. M'jnadelpliin- 

 l.> : tn/lri'i. Nat Ord. Etbacetu. 



A small genus of ornamontal shrubs, natives 

 of the southwest coast of Australia. The flowers 

 are either yellow or mixed orange, violet, or crim- 

 son, and are produced in axillary clusters. They 

 require the green-house, and are propagated by 

 cuttings. Introduced in 18:50. 

 Lambsrtia. Named in honor of A 7?. <//< V/V, 

 one of the most liberal botanists in Europe, and 

 whose extensive herbarium was open to every 

 man of science. Linn. TetrandrM-Monogynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Prot#*c&x. 



Very handsome green-house evergreen shrubs 

 from tropical Australia. The flowers are mostly 

 produced in terminal clusters, sometimes sin- 



LAB 



gly, the prevailing color being dark red, with 

 occasionally an orange tint. Height of plant 

 three to four feet. They are readily increased 

 by cuttings, but must be grown with considera- 

 ble care, the principal caution being against 

 over-watering ; any excess in that is fatal to them. 

 Introduced in 1824. 



Lamb's Lettuce or Corn Salad. See Valeriana. 



Lambkill. See Kalinin. 



Lainium. See Dt/td Settta. 



Lantana. Ancient name for Viburnum. Linn. 

 Didynctmia-Angiospermia. Nat. Ord. Verbena-oea*. 

 An extensive genus of ornamental, free-flower- 

 ing, tender shrubs, common from the West In- 

 dies to Brazil. The species are rapid growers, 

 and most constant bloomers. They are readily 

 increased by cuttings, and will grow freely in 

 the garden, preferring a sunny situation. Many 

 new varieties have been produced from seeds, 

 but we do not think there has been much im- 

 provement on the species. First introduced 

 from the West Indies in 1692. 



Lapageria. Named after Josephine Lapagcrif, 

 wife of Napoleon I. Linn. HexandrittrMonof/ynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Philesim-nr. 



L. rosea, and its white variety, are unquestion- 

 ably the most beautiful green-house twining 

 plants yet introduced. The stems are round, 

 branching, and will grow to almost any required 

 length, with proper treatment. The flowers are 

 large, lily or bell-shaped, and produced on soli- 

 tary one-flowered peduncles. L. rosea has deep 

 rose-colored flowers, spotted inside with white. 

 There has lately been introduced a double vari- 

 ety, the character of which has not yet been es- 

 tablished. They should be grown in a house 

 with a low temperature, and given plenty of air, 

 water, and root room ; the latter is a necessity. 



, They do tolerably well grown in tubs, but are 

 seldom seen in pertection except when turned 

 into the border. The soil should be largely 

 composed of leaf mould and sand. They are in- 

 creased either by layers or from seeds, the lat- 

 ter being preferable ; plants from cuttings rarely 

 succeed. They are natives of Chili. Introduced 

 in 1847. 



Lapeyrousia. See Pewousia. 



Laportea. Wood Nettle. A genus of uninterest- 

 ing native plants, allied to Urtica, which see. 



Lappa. See 'Burdock. 



Larch. See Larix. 



Lardizabala. In honor of At. Lardizabala y Uribe, 

 a Spanish naturalist. Linn. Dwecia-Hexandria. 

 Nat. Ord. Lirdizubalacea;. 



Half-hardy evergreen climbers, natives of 

 Chili. L. biternata, the most beautiful of the 

 species, has dark, glossy, evergreen foliage, and 

 drooping spikes of deep purple flowers. In 

 Chili a very tough fiber is obtained from its 

 stems and made into cordage ; and its fruit, con- 

 taining a sweet-tasted pulp, is sold in the mar- 

 kets. This species would make a splendid 

 creeping plant for covering walls in the Southern 

 States, but would not be hardy north of Vir- 

 ginia. 



Larix. Larch. From the Celtic, Inr, fat; on ac- 

 count of the tree producing plenty of resin. 

 Linn. .!/./,,,,';,<-. Monndelphia. Nat. Ord. Pinacece. 

 l.'h-'i.f Ami rii'it, the only species in this coun- 

 try, is a beautiful deciduous tree, growing to its 

 greatest perfection in the more northern States 

 and Canada, where it attains a height of from 

 eighty to a hundred feet, with a diameter of 

 from two to three feet. The wood of the Ameri- 

 can sperirs is popularly known as HoefcmafcMjfe, 



