132 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



MEN 



and make into cake, which forms part of their 

 food They are all easily raised from seed. 



Menyanthes. Buck Bean. From m-n, a month, 

 and antlios, a flower; the time of duration. Linn. 

 Penta<lria~Mon<w>ua. Nat. Ord. Gentianacea^ 



The European kinds have white flowers, but 

 gome of the exotic species, now called ViUarsM, 

 which are natives of Australia and the Cape, are 

 very handsome, with very showy yellow flow- 

 ers They are all marsh plants, and should be 

 sown or planted in the mud or soft ground left 

 by the water. Some of the kinds are only halt- 

 hardy. M. trifoliata, an escape from Europe, is 

 common in moist places from New England 

 north and westward. It produces racemes of 

 very pretty white or slightly reddish flowers, 

 about one foot high. 



Menzesia Named after A. Menzies, surgeon and 

 naturalist to the expedition under Vancouver. 



' Linn Octandria-Monogyida. Nat. Ord. Ericacea;. 

 The several species that constitute this genus 

 are small, handsome, heath-like shrubs, natives 

 of the North American coast. The flowers are 

 larger and more globular than the common 

 Heath, and much handsomer; they are terminal, 

 cither singly or in clusters. Propagated by 

 layers in autumn, or by cuttings. Introduced 

 in 1810. 



Merendera. A name given to Colchicum by the 

 Spaniards, and applied to this genus because of 

 its affinity. Linn. Hexandria-Trigynia. Nat. 

 Ord. Mdanthacew. 



M. Caucasica, the only species, is a hardy bulb 

 with purple flowers, from the Caucasus. It 

 grows freely in the garden with the same treat- 

 ment as is given to other hardy bulbs. It is 

 usually classed with Bulbocodium. Propagated 

 by offsets. Introduced in 1823. 



Mermaid Weed. The popular name of the 

 genus Proserpinaca, a common plant in sandy 

 swamps near the coast. 



Mesembryanthemum. Fig Marigold, Ice Plant. 

 From meseinbria, midday, and anthemon, a 

 flower; referring to the flowers opening better 

 on sunny days. Linn. Icosandria-Dipentagynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Mesembryacece. 



This genus consists of nearly four hundred 

 species, more than one hundred and fifty of 

 which have been introduced and highly recom- 

 mended for the flower garden. They are very 

 succulent, and grow in hot, sandy plains, the 

 genus being almost entirely confined to the 

 Cape of Good Hope. Their leaves are very 

 variable in form, but almost always of a thick, 

 fleshy texture; the flowers, which embrace all 

 shades of orange, crimson, pink, white, etc., are 

 most of them very beautiful, the petals of bril- 

 liant colors and of a lasting nature, with a hand- 

 some center. They only expand in the sun- 

 shine, and are well adapted for a hot situation, 

 one in which but little else would thrive well. 

 M. 'riislaUinum, a native of the Canary Islands 

 and Greece, as well as of the Capo of Good Hope, 

 is the common Ice Plant of our gardens, so 

 called in consequence of every part of the leaf 

 and stalk being covered with small watery pus- 

 tules, which glisten in the sun like fragments 

 of ice. Large quantities of the plant are collect- 

 ed in the Canaries and burned, the ashes being 

 sent to Spain for the use of glassmakers. The 

 English name of Fig Marigold is applied to M. 

 edule, the fruit of which is shaped like a fig, and 

 which is eaten by the Hottentots; and to the 

 flower, which resembles that of the Marigold in 

 shape, and sometimes in color. M. c&rdifolium 



MIC 



variegatum, a variety of late introduction, is re- 

 markable for the distinct variegation of its leaves, 

 white and green. It is a free-growing plant, well 

 adapted for rockeries, vases, or edgings to beds 

 or ribbon borders. This variety is increased by 

 cuttings, as the variegation is not constant in 

 plants grown from seed. All the species are 

 easily increased by cuttings. 



Mesospinidium. From mesas, medium-sized, 

 and spinidi'im, a bird. Linn. Gtjnundria-Monan- 

 dria. Nat. Ord. Orchidaceai. 



A small genus of beautiful little Orchids from 

 the Andes of Peru, nearly allied to Odonioylos- 

 sum. M. sanguineum is one of the most showy 

 species, and interesting on account of its nod- 

 ding racemes of rosy flowers. The species are 

 rarely seen in collections. They may be grown 

 in a cool house, and must be sparingly watered. 

 They are increased by division. Introduced in 

 1867. 



Mespilus. Medlar. From mesos, half, and 

 pilos, a ball; referring to the shape of the fruit 

 of the Medlar. Linn. Icosandria-D'ipentagynin. 

 Nat. Ord. Pomacece. 



A genus of low-growing, hardy deciduous 

 trees, common to Europe. They are ornament- 

 al, and produce an edible fruit of but little 

 value. They are grown in shrubberies, like the 

 Hawthorn, which they resemble. 



Mesua. Named after Mesue, the father and son, 

 two celebrated Arabian physicians and botan- 

 ists, who resided at Damascus, and flourished in 

 the eighth and ninth centuries. Linn. Mona- 

 delphia-Dodecandria. Nat. Ord. Clusiacece. 



A small genus of tender evergreen trees from 

 tropical Asia, remarkable for their beautiful foli- 

 age, and large, pure white axillary flowers, which 

 are highly fragrant. The flowers are sold in all 

 the Indian bazaars, both fresh and dried, under 

 the name of Nagkesur, being held in high esteem 

 on account of their fragrance. 



Metrosideros. From meira, heart-wood, and side- 

 ros, iron; referring to the hardness of the wood. 

 Linn. Icosaniria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Myrta- 

 cece. 



A genus of lofty trees, climbers, and shrubs, 

 natives of New Zealand. M. robusta is a tall 

 tree, with a stout, erect trunk, and a branching 

 head of myrtle-like foliage, and showy scarlet 

 or crimson flowers. The wood of this species 

 is very valuable for ship timber. M. tomentosd is 

 called the Fire Tree by the colonists, on account 

 of its brilliant flowers. One or two species ar j 

 under cultivation in green-houses, where their 

 bright scarlet flowers are very effective. Prop- 

 agated from cuttings of the young wood. In- 

 troduced in 1787. 



Mexican Tea. See Chenopodium. 



Mexican Thistle. See Erythroltena. 



Mexican Tiger Flower. See Tigridia pavonia. 



Mezereon. See Daphne Mezereon. 



Michauxia. Named after A. Michaiu, a French 

 botanist. Linn. Octandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. 

 Campanulacece. 



A genus of hardy biennials chiefly found in 

 the Levant. They are allied to the Campanulas, 

 but inferior in merit. They are of easy culture. 

 Propagated by seeds. Introduced in 1787. 



Michelia. Named after P. A. Micheli, a famous 

 Florentine botanist, who died in 1757. Linn. 

 Polyandi-ia-Polygynia. Nat. Ord. Mignoliace:>;. 



A lofty evergreen tree, native of India and the 

 islands of the Eastern Archipelago. M. Cham- 

 pica,, the only known species, is cultivated 

 in India for the powerful fragrance of its flow- 



