30 



HENDEBSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS 



ABA 



troduoed from the South Sea Islands, such 

 as A. Veitchii, A. reticulata, A. gradllima, 

 etc., are extremely beautiful and admirably 

 suited for the warm green-house and for table 

 decoration. 

 Ara'lia'ceae. These form a small natural order 

 closely approaching Umbellifers, from which 

 they in reality differ in little, except in their 

 fruit. They are also more generally arbores- 

 cent, many of them being trees or large shrubs, 

 and very few herbs. Several are conspicuous 

 for their broad, noble foliage. The species are 

 found in the tropical and sub-tropical regions 

 of the world, and in some of the coldest, as in 

 Canada, the northwest coast of America, and 

 Japan. Aralia' polaris even occurs in Lord 

 Auckland's Islands, In BOJ^" south latitude. 

 Hedera, Panax and Aralia, are examples of 

 this order. 

 Arauca'ria. Prom arav/xmos, its name among 

 the people in whose country the Arauearia 

 imbrieata grows in Chili. Nat. Ord. Coniferm. 

 The genus consists of lofty evergreen trees, 

 none of which will bear the open air of the 

 climate of the Northern States. The most 

 beautiful of the species is A. excelsa, from 

 Norfolk Island, where it is known as Norfolk 

 Island Pine. It grows to the height of 200 

 feet. Its symmetrical growth and deep green, 

 finely-cut foliage give It a fern-like appear- 

 ance. All the species are fine ornaments for the 

 lawn during summer, but require the protec- 

 tion of the green-house during winter. 

 Propagation can be effected by cuttings, 

 though a slow and uncertain process. They 

 grow readUy from seed. 

 Arauja, is given by Bentham and Hooker as 



the correct name of the genus Physianthue. 

 Arborescent. Having a tendency to become a 



tree. 

 Arboretum. A collection of hardy trees formed 

 for pleasure or instruction, and which, when 

 well managed, is a source of much interesting 

 study. They afford shelter, improve the 

 local climate, renovate bad soils, etc., and also 

 by concealing or hiding disagreeable objects, 

 heighten the effect of agreeable ones, create 

 beauty, and add value. A properly arranged 

 Arboretum should be constructed with a view 

 to picturesque beauty and not systematically, 

 as is usually the case in Botanic Gardens, 

 although scientific purposes are best served 

 by a systematic arrangement. 

 Arbor Vitae. A common name for TUvga. 

 A'rbutus. Strawberry-tree. From arhoiae, a 

 Celtic word for rough fruit. Nat. Ord. 

 ErUMcem. 



A genus of evergreen shrubs or low growmg 

 trees, numbering about twenty species, 

 natives of southern Europe, the Canary 

 Islands, Chili, and in some parts of this 

 country. A. itmedo is called the strawberry-tree 

 from its fruit resembling a strawberry at a 

 distance. It is a small tree from ten to twenty 

 feet high. Flowers numerous, white, appearing 

 in September or October. Fruit scarlet, ripen- 

 ing the second year. This fine evergreen is 

 common in southern Europe, and is also met 

 about the lakes of Killarney, in Ireland. The 

 fruit of this species, when eaten in quantites is 

 said to be narcotic. A wine is made from it in 

 Corsica, but it has the same property as the 

 fruit. In Spain both a sugar and a spirit are 



ABE 



obtained from it. The bark and leaves of 

 the same plant are used as astringents ; in 

 some parts of Greece they are employed in 

 tanning leather. It is cultivated, where the 

 climate will permit, as an ornamental shrub, 

 and as it ripens its fruit the second year, it la 

 particularly beautiful in October and Novem- 

 ber, being covered at the same time with 

 blossoms and ripe fruit. 

 Archange'lioa. From arche, chief, and angelica, 

 from its supposed virtues. Nat. Ord. Umbelli- 

 fercB. 



A genus of mostly useless biennial plants; a 

 few of the species are natives of this country. 

 A. officinalis, is the Angelica, formerly much 

 used in domestic medicine. 

 Archego'nium. The female organ in ferns, etc. 

 Analogous with the ovary in flowering plants. 

 Archill or Orchill. A coloring matter obtained 

 from various species of Lichens, especially 

 Rocella tinctoria. 

 A'rctium. A name that is now employed by 

 some botanists for the genusLappa, Burdock. 

 Arctosta'phylos. Bearberry. From arktos, a 

 bear, and staphyle, a berr^ ; the Greek of the 

 popular name. Nat. Ord. JEricaceoe.. 



A small genus of fruit-bearing shmbs, com- 

 mon in our Northern and Eastern States. 

 The whole plant of A. Uva-ursi is astringent, 

 and has been used for tanning leather. The 

 berries of the several species are a favorite 

 food of game birds. 

 Arctb'tis. Derived from arktos, a bear, and otig, 

 an ear ; shaggy fruit. Nat. Ord. CompositcE. 



This genus consists of .annuals, biennials, 

 and green-house perennials. The annuals 

 should be started in the hot-bed early, as they 

 require a long season to develop their showy 

 flowers, which are sulphur and orange. They 

 grow freely in ordinary soil, and keep in 

 bloom until killed by frost. Introduced from 

 the Cape of Good Hope in 1774. 

 Arcuate. Curved or bent like a bow ; forming 



an arch. 

 Ardi'sia. From ardis, a spear head ; in refer- 

 ence to the sharp-pointed divisions of tlie 

 flower. Nat. Ord. Myrsinacem. 



Handsome green-house plants from the East 

 Indies, producing either red or white flowers. 

 A. crenulata is admired alike for its white 

 powers and vermUion berries, being constantly 

 covered with either one or the other, or both. 

 Propagated by seeds in the green-house. 

 Plants usually fruit when one year old, and are 

 invaluable plants for winter decoration. 

 There is also a pretty white-fruited variety. 

 Ardtii'na. A genus of Apocynacem, consisting 

 of shrubs with a milky juice. Natives of 

 Asia, Africa and tropical Australia. A. hispin- 

 osa is a pretty, close-growing green-house 

 shrub, with small, box-like leaves and white, 

 sweet-scented flowers.' A. grandiflora is a 

 native of Natal, where the fruits are much 

 valued, and known as the Natal Plum. They 

 have an agreeable sub-acid flavor, and are 

 used to make au excellent preserve. 

 Are'ca. Called areec in Malabar, when an old 

 tree. Nat. Ord. Palmacew. 



An extensive genus of lofty, magnificent 

 Palms, natives of the East and West Indies 

 and South America. The most prominent of 

 the species is A: oleraoea, the Cabbage Palm. 



