6o PLANT NAMES 



generic names do felicitously select a distinctive and 

 salient feature common to the whole genus, and in 

 every case there is a certain interest in knowing 

 why flower-lovers, hundreds or perhaps thousands 

 of years ago, assigned to plants which beautify our 

 gardens and fields and woods to-day names by 

 which they are known in every civilized country in 

 the world. 



Abies, the Spruce Fir, is said to come from Latin 

 aheo, to depart, because it springs so straight from 

 the ground. This derivation seems so far-fetched 

 as to be nearly incredible. 



Acacia, thorny, from Greek ake, a sharp point (cf. 

 acute) . 



Ac^NA, the same derivation, from the little 

 spines on the calyx. 



Acanthus, thorny flower. 



AcTiNiDiA, rayed, referring to the styles. 



Adiantum, dry. Pliny says because water will 

 not adhere to the fronds. 



Ageratum, said to be from Greek a, not, and geron, 

 old, because the flowers do not wither (doubtful). 



AjUGA, unyoked, the calyx being one-leaved. 



Allium, Garlic, from Celtic all, not. 



Almond, from Amygdalus, the botanic name. 

 This is said to be from the Greek amysso, to lacerate, 

 referring to the fissured channels in the nut. The 

 al is due to Arabic influence (cf. alcoran). 



Amaranthus, unfading. 



Ampelopsis, like a vine. 



