118 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



LES 



species known are pretty little epiphyt, >, pro- 

 ducine small rush-like leaves and lovely white 

 flowers, having a blotch of bright crimson on 

 the lip. They are of easy culture, growing in 

 the green-house, either on cork or in baskets ot 

 moss. They requir6 liberal watering during 

 the growing season. They are propagated b# 

 division. Introduced in 1831. 



Leschenaultia. Named after M. Leschenault, a 

 French botanist. Linn. Pentandria-Monogyma. 

 Nat. Ord. Goodeniacea: 



A small genus of very ornamental neatn-lit 

 shrubs, with rich blue or scarlet flowers, pro- 

 duced in summer. Natives of Australia. 



Lespedeza. Named in honor of M. Letpedez, 

 once Governor of Florida, and a great patron of 

 botany. Linn. Diadelphia-Decandria. Nat. Ord. 



A genus of low-growing, pea-flowering shrubs, 

 annuals and herbaceous perennials, common 

 from South Carolina to Mississippi. Some of 

 the kinds are showy when in flower, but, as a 

 class, are not worth growing. 



Lettuce. See Ladtica. 



Leucanthemum. Ox-eye Daisy. From leukos, 

 white, and anthos, a flower; white flowers. Linn. 

 Syngenesia-Superjlua. Nat. Ord. Asteracea?. 



This pernicious weed, L. vulgare, former- 

 ly included in the genus Chrysanthemum, (C. 

 leucanthemum,) is a native of Great Britain, but 

 has become thoroughly naturalized in many 

 parts of the United States. It is a perennial, 

 and increases rapidly from seed, or from the 

 roots. No matter how small the piece of root 

 may be when detached, if left in the ground it 

 will speedily make a plant. L. frutescens, 

 the "Marguerite" of France, although classed 

 as a weed, and a bad one at that, has been used 

 to a large extent for massing and ribbon lines in 

 the vicinity of Paris, and the flowers, when 

 forced, are now used for winter bouquets. They 

 are at the present writing much used in New 

 York and other large cities. 



Leucadendron. From leukos, white, and dendron, 

 a tree; in allusion to the white leaves. Linn. 

 Dioecia-Telrandria. Nat. Ord. Proteaceo:. 



An extensive genus of green-house evergreen 

 shrubs from the Cape of Good Hope. They are 

 cultivated for their silvery foliage, and their 

 large terminal clusters of yellow flowers, which 

 are produced in June and July. They all grow 

 freely in a cool green-house, if care be observed 

 not to over-water in winter; in fact, they are at 

 all times impatient of water. They are readily 

 increased by cuttings of ripened -wood. First 

 introduced in 1774. 



Leucocorvne. From leukos, white, and koryne, 

 a club; because of the white sterile anthers. 

 Linn. Triandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. LUlacece. 



Half-hardy bulbous plants, pretty, and deserv- 

 ing attention. They may be cultivated either 

 in pots or in the open ground, if they are taken 

 up and preserved in sand through the winter. 

 The flowers are large for the size of the plant, 

 and are either white or lilac. When planted in 

 the borders the bulbs should be set rather 

 closely together to insure a display. They are 

 increased by offsets. Introduced from Chili in 

 1851. 



Leucojum. Snowflako. From leukos, white, and 

 ion, a violet ; in reference to the color of the 

 flower, whence the English name Snowflake. 

 Linn. Hexandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Amarvl- 

 lidacece. 

 Hardy bulbs, growing to the height of twelve 



LIA 



and eighteen inches, and producing spikes of 

 pretty white flowers like the Snowdrop . They 

 increase by offsets from the bulbs. L. vernum, 

 Spring Snowflake, is one of our best early flow- 

 ering bulbs. It is a native of Germany and 

 Switzerland, where it is found wild in the woods 

 and other shady places. It was introduced in 

 1596; is dedicated to St. Agnes, the patron saint 

 of young virgins, from its loveliness and purity ; 

 and hence is called St. Agnes's Flower. In 

 Parkinson's time it was also known by the name 

 of the Great Early Bulbous Violet. It is said to 

 have become naturalized in the neighborhood of 

 Bridgport, Dorsetshire, England. These very 

 elegant and delightfully fragrant flowers greatly 

 resemble the Snowdrop, but they are much 

 larger, and are about a month later. There is a 

 yellowish green spot on each petal near the 

 point. They are among the most desirable of 

 early-growing bulbs, and are suitable for rock- 

 work or borders. A sheltered situation shotild 

 be chosen, and the soil should be well drained. 

 See Erinosma. 



Leucopogon. From 1e>tkos, white, and pogon, a 

 beard; referring to the hairs on the flowers. 

 Linn. Pentandria-Jfonogynia. Nat. Ord. Ep:.icr>- 



An extensive genus of evergreen shrubs, with 

 handsome white flowers, produced in terminal 

 or axillary spikes. The species are widely scat- 

 tered over Australia, Tasmania, and New Zea- 

 land. But few of the species are under cultiva- 

 tion. 



Leucostegia. From leukos, white, and slega, a 

 covering; the fronds appear to be covered with 

 powder. Linn. Cryptogamia-FHices. Nat. Ord. 

 1'olypodiacea'. 



A small genus of East Indian Ferns, allied to 

 Davattia, and requiring the same treatment. 



Lewisia. Bitter Boot. Named after Captain M. 

 Lewis, the American traveler and companion of 

 Clark. Linn. Polyandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. 

 Mesembnjacece. 



L. rediviva, the only species, is a succulent 

 perennial, with a fleshy, tapering root. Its 

 leaves are quite succulent, and from their center 

 arises a strong stalk bearing a solitary rose- 

 colored flower, surrounded by an involucre of 

 five to seven scales. As soon as the flower ap- 

 pears the leaves begin to wither and dry up, 

 usually lasting only a few days, the entire period 

 of the plant's existence above ground not exceed- 

 ing six weeks. This exceedingly curious plant 

 is a native of the Upper Oregon Territory, and 

 its roots, which are largely collected by the In- 

 dians, afford a wholesome though bitter tasted 

 food, being composed almost entirely of starch. 

 The specific name, rediviva, was given to the 

 plant in consequence of the growth of some 

 dried and apparently dead roots, taken from an 

 herbarium specimen. 



Liatris. Derivation of the name unknown. Linn. 

 Syngenesior^Eqitalis. Nat. Ord. Aateract-ce. 



This genus consists of some twenty species, 

 all hardy herbaceous perennials, common from 

 New York to Kansas and southward. Some of 

 the species are very ornamental border plants. 

 They all produce long spikes of purple flowers 

 from August until October. L. pycnostachya 

 (Kansas Gay Feather) is one of the finest of the 

 species. 1'he flowers are rosy purple, on a spike 

 three to tour feet high. They begin to flower 

 at the top of the spike, and continue to open 

 downward, which is characteristic of the species. 

 They are increased by seed, and will flower the 



