List of the plants of Chile. 303 



agus, and is eaten dressed as in Europe, but I have never seen it at- 

 tain half the size to which it might be brought by a litde care in the 

 cultivation. 



Aspidium, a species resembling the A. rhczticum. Linn. : called 

 Helecho, fern. It grows in the shady woods of the hills. The de- 

 coction of its roots is a vermifuge. 



Asplenium ciliaium. Presl. Common ravines and elevated sit- 

 uations. It is confounded with the Adiantum, under the name of 

 Culantrillo, maiden-hair. ' 



Astragalus. The name yerha loca, wild grass, is given to a spe- 

 cies of this genus which grows near rivers, and in sandy pastures of 

 the plains, very hurtful to cattle and particularly to horses. It is the 

 A. unifultus. Herit. I think I have met with the A. garbanzillo, 

 Cavanilles, under the same denomination. A third which appears 

 new, and has the veins triangular, is common in the arid spots of 

 Leona, and on the banks of the river Cachapual. 



Avena sativa. Linn. It is met with every where : it is not culti- 

 vated, nor is it of the least use in this country, while in Europe, it 

 yields its grain for horses, and nourishes and fattens them. 



Azara dentata and A. serrata. Ruiz and Pavon. These two 

 shrubs are known under the name of Corcolen. They are common 

 in the woods, both of the plain and of the hills. The last has downy 

 leaves, and appears to form a different species. Its appearance is 

 elegant, and its numerous flowers make it a valuable addition to the 

 embellishments of a garden. The Lilen, belongs to this genus : I 

 have called it Azara Lilen, and I even think that it might form a 

 genus which I would call Lilenia, which I will do when I have 

 examined the fruit in a state of perfection. 



Azolla Magellanica. Willdenow. Common in stagnant waters, 

 upon which it forms a magnificent thrifty growth. It is one of the 

 plants known under the name of Cuchicillo. 



Baccharis. Linn. Many species of this genus are common in 

 the plains and on -the hills, some herbaceous and others fruticose. 

 The name of Chilca is given to the B. glutinosa, Pers. to the B. 

 Alaternoides, Humb. Bonpl. and Kunth, and to the B. Banksice- 

 folia, Bertero. The B. linearis, Pers. is called Chilquilla, a 

 name common to other herbaceous species resembling the B. linearis. 

 The B. Montevidensis, Spr. and the B. Chilco, Kunth, are known 

 by the name of Romero de la tierra, Romerillo. It should be ob- 

 served, that the Rosmarinus Chilensis, Molina, cited by authors, and 



