70 PLANT NAMES 



Nasturtium, from nasus, a nose, and tortium, 

 twisting, from its acrid smell. 



Nephrolepsis, from nephros, a kidney, and lepis, 

 a scale, referring to the covering of the spore cases 

 and their kidney-like shape. 



NiGELLA, from niger, black, referring to the 

 seeds. 



NoTOSPARTiUM. Notos meant the south. We 

 have it in Notofagus, the New Zealand Beech, etc. 

 Sparton was cordage, then a broom. 



Odontoglossum, from odous, a tooth, and 

 glossa, a tongue, referring to the indentations on the 

 lip of the orchid. 



Olearia, Hke an oka, or OHve Tree. 



Omphalodes, from omphalos, the navel, and 

 eidos, like, referring to the seed. 



Oncidium, from ongkos, a swelling, excrescences 

 on the base of the lip. 



Onion, from unio, a unity, which the Romans 

 appHed to a single large pearl or an onion. 



OsMANTHUS, from osjne, perfume, and anthos. 



OxALis, from oxus, acid. 



OzoTHAMNUS, from ozoSf a branch, and thamnos, 

 a shrub, a many-branched shrub. It is now called 

 Helichrysum, or Sun Gold. 



Palm, from palame, the palm of the hand with 

 outspread fingers, from the shape of the leaves. 



Parsley, Greek petroselinon, from petros, a rock, 

 and selinon, Parsley (see Celery). 



