238 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS 



MAC 



Macrome'ria. From mdkros, large, and meris, 

 a part ; the flowers of this genus are the 

 largest in the whole family. A genus of Bor- 

 roginoceoe, comprising about eight species of 

 half-hardy perennial herbs, natives of Mexico, 

 Columbia and Peru, closely allied to Litho- 

 spermum. M. exserta with yellow flowers, 

 probably the only species yet in cultivation, 

 was introduced from Mexico in 1846. 



Macronemum. From Mdkros, long, and Kneme, 

 a leg; in reference to the long flower-stalks,. 

 Nat. Ord. Rubiacece. 



A genus of tropical trees and shrubs, natives 

 of tropical America and the West Indies. M. 

 Jamaicense, the only species yet introduced, 

 has greenish-white, sweet scented flowers, 

 with oblong-oval, polished leaves. It was 

 introduced from Jamaica in 1806. 



Macropi'per. The word signifies large pepper. 

 Nat. Ord. Piperacece. 



M. methysticum formerly called Piper methy- 

 sticum, furnishes the root called Ava by the 

 Polynesians. It has narcotic properties, and 

 is employed medicinally, but is chiefly remark- 

 able for the value attached to it as a narcotic 

 and stimulant beverage, of which the natives 

 partake before they commence any important 

 business or religious rites. It is used by 

 chewing the root and extracting the juice, 

 and has a calming rather than an intoxicating 

 effect. Europeans distill the juice, and use it 

 as a beverage in moderate quantities. By 

 the more respectable of the population it is 

 considered a filthy preparation, and is not 

 indulged in. 



Macrorhy'nchus. From markos, long, and 

 rhynchos, a snout. Nat. Ord. Compositce. 



A genus of annual and perennial plants, 

 natives of North and South America, closely 

 allied to the Dandelion. M. grandiflorus, a 

 Californian perennial species has very hand- 

 some, large, yellow flower-heads, but it is 

 rarely found in cultivation. 



Macro'stylis. From makrox, long, and stylos, a 

 style ; style very long. Nat. Ord. Rutacem. 



A genus of pretty, green-house evergreen 

 shrubs, indigenous to South Africa and nearly 

 allied to Barosma, and Diosma. The reddish 

 flowers are arranged in a kind of umbel on the 

 ends of the branches. The Orchidaceous 

 genus of this name is synonymous with 

 Corymbis. 



Macroto'mia. From makros, long, and tome, a 

 cutting; in allusion to the long division of 

 the calyx. Nat. Ord. Boraginacece. 



A genus of erect, hispid, perennial herbs, 

 natives of the Himalayas and the East Indies. 

 M. Benthami, the only species yet introduced, 

 grows from one to two feet high, producing 

 a thyrse eight to twelve inches long, of dark 

 maroon-purple flowers. It was introduced 

 from the Western Himalayas in 1884, and is 

 perfectly hardy. 



Macroza'mia. From makros, long, and Zamia. 

 Nat. Ord. Cycadacece. 



This interesting genus is formed from a few 

 species of Zamia, and contains some of the 

 most beautiful plants under cultivation 

 for decorative purposes. The leaves and 

 trunk are similar to Cycas except that the 

 pinnee have no midrib and are striate, with 

 parallel veins. M. plumosa, plume-like, is 



MAG 



one of the most beautiful and is remarkable 

 for its distinct and elegant character. M 

 corallipes is another rare species. There 

 are several species under cultivation, all 

 natives of Australia. For culture see Zamin. 



Maculate, Maculose. Spotted or blotched. 



Madder. The root of Rubia tinctoria, which 

 see. 



Madeiia Nut. See Juglans. 



Maderia Vine. See BoussingauUia baselloides. 



Ma'dia. Modi is the name of the original 

 species (M. sativd) in Chili. Nat. Ord. Com- 

 positcB. 



This is a small genus of coarse-growing, 

 hardy annuals, with bright yellow and white 

 flowers, natives of Chili and northern Califor- 

 nia. They grow freely in almost any soil or 

 situation. The seeds should be sown in the 

 spring as soon as the ground is in readiness 

 and the weather sufficiently warm ; introduced 

 in 1831. Syn. Madaria. 



Madonna Lily. Lilium candidum. 



Madwort. The genus Alyssum. 



Magic Tree, Peruvian. Cantua buxifolia. 



Magno'lia. Named after Pierre Magnol, Pro- 

 fessor of Medicine at Montpellier, 1638-1715. 

 Nat. Ord. Magnoliacece. 



A magnificent genus of ornamental trees 

 and shrubs, natives of the United States, 

 China, India, and Japan. It is composed of 

 evergreen and deciduous hardy and half- 

 hardy trees and shrubs. The flowers are 

 white, purple, or greenish white, and are re- 

 markable for their fragrance. M. acuminata 

 (Cucumber Tree) grows from thirty to fifty feet 

 high, and is common in moist woods from 

 New York to Ohio and southward. M. glauca 

 (Small or Laurel Magnolia, Sweet Bay) is a 

 low growing deciduous tree, in some localities 

 called Swamp Sassafras. It is also known by 

 the name of Beaver Tree, because the roots 

 are eaten by beavers, which animals also 

 make use of the wood in constructing their 

 huts or nests. This species is common in 

 swamps in New Jersey and southward. The 

 flowers are single, produced on the ends of 

 the branches, greenish white, and delight- 

 fully fragrant. They are collected and sold 

 in the markets and streets of New York in 

 large quantities. M. cordala is the Yellow 

 Cucumber Tree of Georgia. M. grandiftora 

 (Great Laurel) is justly entitled to its specific 

 name, as it is one of the most noble and beau- 

 tiful of American evergreen trees, remark- 

 able for the majesty of its form, the magnifi- 

 cence of its foliage, and the beauty of its 

 flowers. This is a large tree, growing from 

 sixty to one hundred feet high ; the foliage is 

 thick, brilliant on the upper surface, and 

 rusty colored underneath ; the flowers are 

 pure white, six to eight inches across, and 

 very fragrant. It is a native of the Carolinas 

 and westward, but not hardy north of Wash- 

 ington. There is one specimen in Philadel- 

 phia, well protected, that blooms annually. 

 M. macrophylla is a comparatively rare species 

 being only occasionally met in the woods 

 from Florida to Tennessee. It rarely attains 

 a height of sixty feet. It is a deciduous tree 

 of perfect form, with leaves from one and a 

 half to three feet long, clustered at the sum- 



