82 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS 



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divided, resembling those of the Millfoil 

 (Achillea), but of a much harsher texture, 

 and having a pleasant balsamic odor. The 

 flowers are white, in terminal cymes, very 

 much like those of the Hawthorn. 



Chamaecla'don. From chamai, dwarf, and kladon, 

 & branch ; in allusion to the habit of the species. 

 Nat. Ord. Aroidece. 



A genus of stove-house plants, natives of 

 tropical Asia, and the Malayan Archipelago. 

 C. metallicum, the only species yet in cultiva- 

 tion is a grand arad, of close tufted growth, 

 with ovate leaves of a rich, deep bronzy-green 

 color. Introduced from Borneo in 1884. 



Chamsecy'paris. From chamai, dwarf, and 

 kuparissos, Cypress; The Bastard, or Dwarf 

 Cypress. White Cedars. Nat. Ord. Coniferce. 

 A genus ranking extremely close to Cu- 

 pressus, the principal distinction between the 

 two, being the more numerous ovules beneath 

 the fertile scales of the latter. Like most of 

 the other genera belonging to this order this 

 one is overloaded with synonyms, scarcely 

 any two authorities agreeing as to the correct 

 generic name. Many species of Cupressus, 

 and Retinoapora, are placed under this genus 

 by some botanists. 



Chamaedo'rea. From chamai, dwarf, and dorea, 

 a gift ; referring to the nuts of this Palm being 

 easily reached. Nat. Ord. Palmacece. 



A genus of Palms containing about forty 

 species, common in Mexico and South 

 America. C. Ernesti-Augu&ti is a small species, 

 a native of New Grenada. It grows from 

 four to five feet high, with wedge-shaped 

 leaves about two feet long. The female 

 flower spikes of this species, which are very 

 beautiful, are about a foot long, cylindrical, 

 and -undivided. At first they are of a dark 

 green color, studded with red, bead-like 

 flowers. After these fall away, the spike be- 

 comes a bright coral-red color. Several of the 

 species are interesting green-house plants, 

 and are readily grown from seed. 



Chamaeli'rium. Devils-bit. C. luteum, the only 

 species, is a Liliaceous plant, nearly allied to 

 Helonias, and is not uncommon in low grounds 

 from western New York to Illinois. It is a 

 smooth herb with a bitter, thick, and ab- 

 ruptly-tuberous root-stock, and a tall, erect 

 stem, terminated by a long spiked raceme of 

 small white bractless flowers. Known popu- 

 larly as Blazing Star. 



Chamaepe'uce. From chamai, dwarf, and peuke, 

 a pine ; resemblance. Nat. Ord. Composites. 



A genus of uninteresting plants, annuals, 

 perennials, and biennials, common through- 

 out Europe. Of the entire genus, the only 

 two deserving attention are C. Casabonce, and 

 C. diacantha. Both of these are effective for 

 sub-tropical gardening, growing in compact 

 rosette-like patches and not producing flower 

 stems until the second year. 



Chamae'rops. From chamai, dwarf, and rhops, 

 a twig ; most of the species being dwarf. Nat. 

 Ord. Palmacece. 



A genus of low-growing Palms, including 

 several species, some growing as far north as 

 the Carolinas. The Palmetto State furnishes 

 C. Palmetto, hence the name. Many of the 

 species are half-hardy, and all make beautiful 

 plants for lawn decoration. They make a 

 rapid growth in summer if given a rich loam, 



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and liberal applications of liquid manure. 

 They are increased by seed. 



Chamisso'a. A genus of Amaranthacece, now 

 included in Achyranthes, which see. 



Chamomile. The popular name of Anthemia 

 nobilis. 



Chara'ceae. A small natural order of Acrogens, 

 consisting ot two, or at most three, genera. 

 The species are all aquatic, and are found in 

 almost all parts of the world, but they are 

 most common in temperate countries. The 

 species are either monoecious or dkBcious, the 

 two kinds of fruit being often seated close to 

 each other. 



Cha'ries Heterophylla. Given by some authors 

 as the correct name of Kaulfussia amelloides. 



Charlock. The common name of Sinapis arven- 

 8i8, a well-known weed. 



Cheat, or Chess. See Bromus. 



Checkerberry. See Gaultheria. 



Cheila'nthes. Lip Fern. From cheilos, a lip, 

 and anthos, a flower ; in reference to the form 

 of the indusium. Nat. Ord. Polypodiacece. 



An extensive genus of Ferns, found scat- 

 tered over nearly all parts of the world. There 

 are several species found in most parts of the 

 United States. Some of the tropical species 

 are exceedingly pretty, among which C. fari- 

 nosa, a native of the Island of Luzon, has 

 ivory-black stems, the fronds being dark green 

 above, and of a pure white beneath, caused by 

 a powdery substance, which has given this 

 species the popular name of Silver Fern. 

 Many other species are in cultivation ; C. hirta, 

 lanuginosa, viscosa, Ellisii, and many others 

 being particularly desirable. They are prop- 

 agated from spores, or by division of the 

 roots when just commencing to grow. 



Cheira'nthus. Wallflower. From cheir, the 

 hand, and anthos, a flower ; in reference to the 

 custom of carrying the Wallflower in the hand 

 for a nosegay. Nat. Ord. Cruciferce. 



Well-known herbaceous plants, much prized 

 for the delightful odor of their flowers, which 

 are produced from April to July. C. Cheiri, 

 the common Wallflower, is generally grown, 

 and is a great favorite in English gardens, 

 where it flowers freely. Our climate does not 

 suit it so well as that of England, as it delights 

 in a moist atmosphere. The fine double 

 varieties are increased by cuttings, and should 

 be grown in a cool house, in a strong, rich 

 loam. Most of the species are from southern 

 Europe, and have been grown for centuries. 



Chelido'nium. Celandine, Swallow-wort. From 

 Chelidon, a swallow ; it is said that the plant 

 flowers at the time of the arrival of the swal- 

 lows, and dries up at their departure. Nat. 

 Ord. PapaveracecB. 



C. majua, the only species, is a perennial 

 herb, abounding in an acrid, saffron-colored 

 juice. It is a common plant in waste places. 



Chelo'ne. Shell-flower. From chelone, a tor- 

 toise ; the back of the helmet of the flower 

 being fancifully compared to a tortoise. Nat. 

 Ord. Scrophulariacea. 



Most of the genus are hardy herbaceous 

 perennial plants, common in moist places 

 westward. The flowers are white, rose-color, 

 or purple, their singular beauty entitling 

 them to a place in every collection. They 

 succeed well in ordinary garden soil, and are 



