ER YTIIRAEA 
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enveloped in silky hairs, which are used for stuffing cushions, &c. 
[See Kingsley’s Westward Ho , c. xxi.] 
Eriogonum Michx. Polygonaceae (I. i). 170 sp. N. Am., chiefly 
western U.S. The genus differs much from most of the order, having 
no ocreae, and having cymose umbels or heads of firs. The partial 
infl. consists of a few or many firs, surrounded by a special involucre 
formed of united bracts. The partial infls. are combined in various 
ways into heads &c. 
Eriolaena DC. Sterculiaceae. 8 sp. E. Ind. 
Eriophorum Linn. Cyperaceae (1). 12 sp. N. temp, chiefly on turf 
moors (p. 182). 4 sp. in Brit, (cotton-grass or cotton-sedge). The 
g firs, are massed together ; each has a perianth of bristles which after 
fertilisation grow out into long hairs surrounding the fruit and acting 
as a means of distribution. The hairs are sometimes used in stuffing 
pillows &c. 
Eriophyllum Lag. Compositae (vi). 12 sp. N. W. Am. 
Eriosema DC. Leguminosae (in. 10). 70 sp. trop. and sub-trop. 
Eriospermum Jacq. Liliaceae (ill). 50 sp. chiefly Cape Colony. 
Eriostemon Sm. Rutaceae (in). 16 sp. Austr., New Caled. 
Eritrichium Schrad. (incl. Cryptantha Lehm.). Boraginaceae (iv. 2). 
90 sp. temp. 
Erodium L’Herit. Geraniaceae. 50 sp. temp. (2 in Brit. — Stork’s-bill). 
Like Geranium. The awn twists into a corkscrew-form with a free 
end and is very hygroscopic. The mericarp has a sharp point with 
backward pointing hairs. It falls on the ground, frequently point 
downwards, and the free end of the awn catches against surrounding 
objects. If dampness supervene, the awn untwists and so lengthens: 
the free end being entangled, the fruit is driven into the soil. When 
dry the awn once more curls up, and the process may be repeated 
(cf. Stipa). 
Erophila DC. Cruciferae (iv. 14). 4 sp. Eur., Medit. (1 Brit. E. 
vulgai'is DC.). Included in Draba in Nat. PJi. 
Eruca Tourn. ex Adans. Cruciferae (11. 10). 10 sp. Medit. Oil is 
obtained from the seed of E. sativa Mill. 
Erucastrum Presl = Brassica Tourn. 
Ervum Tourn. ex Linn.=Vicia Tourn. For E. Lens L. see Lens. 
Eryngium (Tourn.) Linn. Umbelliferae (3). About 150 sp. trop. and 
temp. (exc. S. Afr.). 2 sp. in Brit. (Eryngo or sea-holly) on the sea- 
shores. They are prickly herbs with thick roots and fleshy leaves 
coated with wax (p. 186). Firs, in cymose heads, blue and largely 
visited by bees. Fibre (Caraguata fibre) is obtained from the leaves 
of E. pandanifolium Cham, et Schlecht. 
Erysimum (Tourn.) Linn. Cruciferae (iv. 16). 80 sp. Medit., Eur., 
As. (E. cheiranthoides L., treacle mustard, in Brit.) 
Erythraea Renealm. Gentianaceae (1. 2). 30 sp. temp. E. Centauriujn 
Pers., the common centaury, occurs in Brit, in many varieties. 
