32 



HENDEKSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS 



AKI 



ance until winter. The biting, acrid properties 

 of this genus are such that the smallest por- 

 tion chewed, either of leaves or root, produces 

 a feeling as if the tongue were pierced with 

 needles. 



Aristate. Having a beard or awn, as the glumes 

 of barley. 



Ari'stea. From arista, a point or beard; in 

 reference to the rigid points of the leaves. 

 Nat. Ord. Iridacece. 



A genus of tender herbaceous perennials 

 from the Cape of Good Hope, embracing about 

 fifteen species. They vary in height from 

 three inches to three feet and produce their 

 interesting blue flowers all summer. Easily 

 propagated by division or seeds. 



Aristi'da. From arista, a beard or awn. Nat. 

 Ord. Graminacece. 



A genus of harsh perennial grasses, com- 

 mon on dry, barren soils throughout the United 

 States. A. dichotoma is commonly known as 

 Poverty Grass, as it is a sure indication of 

 poor and barren soil. A. stricta is the Southern 

 Wiregrass. 



Ari'stolo'chia. Birthwort. From aristos, best, 

 and locheia, parturition, its supposed medi- 

 cinal character. Nat. Ord. Aristolochiacece. 



A genus of climbing plants natives princi- 

 pally of South America, a few species being 

 found in North America, Europe and India. 

 Most of them extend their branches a long 

 distance, though some are to be found that are 

 neat and compact in their growth. The flowers 

 of all are extremely curious, generally of some 

 lurid color, and bearing a resemblance to the 

 expanded mouth of a horn. The larger ones 

 have, not inaptly, been compared to the ear 

 of an elephant, while others are distinguished 

 by a long, pendant pouch. The tender species 

 require either the hot-house or green-house, 

 and a few are sufficiently robust to bear ex- 

 posure to our winters. They grow freely in 

 rich loam and leaf mould. A. sipho (Dutch- 

 man's Pipe) is a native of the Southern States, 

 and one of the best climbers for covering 

 walls or trellises; under favorable circum- 

 stances it will grow twenty feet in a season. 

 The foliage is large, of a deep, rich green ; 

 it is propagated by seed, layers, or cuttings, 

 and is perfectly hardy. A. serpentaria, the 

 Virginian Snake Hoot, is well known for its 

 aromatic-stimulant root, and is used in medi- 

 cine. 



Ari'stolochia'ceae. In the tropical parts of both 

 hemispheres, and occasionally beyond those 

 limits, occurs a race of plants with singularly 

 inflated, irregular flowers, consisting of a 

 calyx only, of a dull, dingy color, varying from 

 yellow to shades of chocolate, purple, or 

 brown, and often emitting an offensive odor. 

 A hot summer appears to be one condition of 

 their existence, with a few exceptions, the 

 most striking of which are the Asarums, little 

 stemless plants, natives of Europe and North 

 America. 



Aristote'lia. A genus of evergreen shrubs of 

 the Nat. Ord. Tiliactce. 



A. Macqui is esteemed for its handsome 

 foliage. The berries are purple, becoming 

 black with age and are edible. The wood is 

 used in Chili for making musical instruments, 

 its tough bark forming the strings. The varie- 

 gated form is a very ornamental plant. 



AKE 



Arme'niaca. The Apricot. Prunus Armeniaca. 



Arme'ria. Thrift. The Latin name for the 

 Sweet William. Nat. Ord. Plumbaginacece. 



A genus of highly ornamental, hardy herba- 

 ceous plants, of dwarf habit, with flowers of 

 various shades between pink and purple, pro- 

 duced on the majority of the species in great 

 profusion. The common Thrift, A. vulgaris, 

 is a well-known substitute for Box as an edging 

 to flower borders. They grow with freedom 

 in almost any soil, and without regard to situ- 

 ation, except that the drip of trees is injurious 

 to most of them. Propagated by division. 

 Exceedingly common on the rocky sea coasta 

 of Britain. Several pretty varieties have been 

 introduced into cultivation, especially a gar- 

 den variety called Crimson Gem, with large 

 heads of bright crimson-pink flowers, and 

 tufted habit. 



Arne'bia. Handsome, hardy herbaceous per- 

 ennials of the Nat. Ord. Boraginacece ; allied to 

 Lithospcrmum. 



A. echioiaes is one of the showiest hardy 

 plants for the herbaceous border or rock- 

 garden. Flowers bright primrose yellow, with 

 a purplish spot, borne in large terminal spikes. 



A'rnica. From arnakis, a lamb's skin ; in ref- 

 erence to the texture of the leaves. Nat. Ord. 

 Composites. 



A small genus of hardy, dwarf herbaceous 

 plants. Some of the species are common in 

 this country, though not of special interest. 

 A. montana is a native of the mountainous dis- 

 tricts of Northern and Middle Europe. The 

 tincture of Arnica is prepared from this 

 species ; was first introduced by the homtfv 

 opathists, and soon after came into general 

 use, and is considered invaluable for wounds 

 or bruises. 



Arno'tto, or Ana'tto. See Bixa Orellano. 

 Aromatic Wlntergreen. See Gaultheria. 



Aroni'cum. From arnikis, a lamb's skin ; in ref- 

 ence to the softness of the flower-heads. Nat. 

 Ord. Composites. 



A small genus of pretty herbaceous peren- 

 nials, inhabiting Central Europe and Asia. 

 They have flower stalks varying from three 

 inches to two feet high, with terminal 

 heads of bright, yellow flowers. A. Clusii, 

 a pretty little Alpine species growing from 

 three to five inches high, is well adapted 

 for a border plant or for rock- work. They are 

 increased by division, or from seed. Syn. 

 Doronicum Cluxii., From arpe, a scimitar, and 

 phyllon, a leaf ; the leaf is sword-shaped. 



Arpophy'llum. Nat. Ord. Orchidacece. 



A small genus of handsome Orchids from 

 Mexico and New Grenada. They are of grace- 

 ful habit, easy of culture, and the flowers last 

 long in perfection. They are increased by 

 division, and should be grown rapidly to pro- 

 duce large bulbs, as small ones do not 

 flower. 



Arrhena'therum. Oat-grass. From arrhen, a 

 male, and anther, a point ; on account of awns 

 on the male spikes. Nat. Ord. Graminacece. 



A small genus of strong growing grasses, 

 occasionally cultivated in this country as a 

 pasture grass and for hay ; it is not supposed 

 to be very rich in nutritive matter, but is 

 considered valuable in mixture with other 

 grasses for moist meadows, as it produces a 



