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ACONITUM 
Aconitum Toum. ex Linn. Ranunculaceae (2). 60 sp. N. temp. 
A . Napellus L. (aconite, monkshood) in Brit. Firs, in racemes (see 
order). The posterior sepal forms a large hood, enclosing the two 
“petals” which are represented by nectaries on long stalks. Fir. 
protandrous, adapted, by its structure and its blue colour, to bees. 
The distribution of A. is largely determined by that of the humble- 
bee (Bombus), the limit of the former being within, but close to, 
that of the latter, except in S. Am., where there are Bombi but 
no A. (See Drude, PJlanzengeog.) Humble-bees often rob the fir. 
of its honey by biting through the hood. The fruit consists of fol- 
licles which only open so far as to expose the seeds, which escape 
when shaken by wind or otherwise (censer-mechanism, p. no). 
All sp. are poisonous ; the tuberous roots contain alkaloids of the 
Aconitin group (used in medicine). The root of A. ferox Wall, 
furnishes the Bikh poison of Nepal. 
Acorus Linn. Araceae (1). 2 sp. N. temp, and S.E. As. A . Calamus 
L. (sweet flag) in Brit. Rhizome sympodial; leaves isobilateral. 
Fir. g , protogynous, with perianth. The plant has an aromatic 
scent. 
Acotyledones (Jussieu) = Cryptogamae. 
Acranthera Arn. Rubiaceae (1, 7). 6 sp. Indo-Mal. 
Acridocarpus Guill. et Perr. Malpighiaceae (1). 11 sp. Afr., Madag., 
N. Caled. 
Acrocarpus Wight. Leguminosae (11, 7). 3 sp. Indo-Mal. 
Acrocephalus Benth. Labiatae (vm). 30 sp. Malay Arch, to trop. Afr. 
Acroclinium A. Gray = Helipterum DC. 
Acrocomia Mart. Palmae (iv, 7). 10 sp. trop. Am., W. Ind. 
Acrogamae = Porogamae. See Chalazogamae. 
Acroglochin Schrad. Chenopodiaceae (A. 2). 1 sp. N. India, China. 
The fruit mass is prickly, many of the twigs not ending in flrs. 
Acronychia Forst. Rutaceae (ix). 17 sp. trop. As., Austr. 
Acropera Lindl. = Gongora Ruiz et Pav. 
Acrostichum Linn. Polypodiaceae. About 150 sp. trop., mostly in 
wet places. 
Acrotrema Jack. Dilleniaceae. 12 sp. Ceylon, India. 
Actaea (Tourn.) Linn. (excl. Cimicifuga Linn.). Ranunculaceae (2). 
3 sp. N. temp. A spicata L., (bane-berry or herb-christopher) in 
Brit. Firs, in racemes (cf. Aconitum). Cpl. 1. Berry. 
Actephila Blume. Euphorbiaceae (A. I. x). 10 sp. Indo-Mal., Austr. 
Actinella Nutt. Compositae (vi). 17 sp. Am. 
Actinidia Lindl. Dilleniaceae (Temstroem. B. and PI.). 8 sp. E. As. 
Actiniopteris Link. Polypodiaceae. 1 sp. Ind., Ceylon, Afr., Masc. 
It has the habit of a small palm with fan leaves. 
Actinodaphne Nees. Lauraceae (1). 50 sp. E. Ind., Japan, N. Am. 
Actinolepis DC. Compositae (vi). 9 sp. West U.S. Joined to Baeria 
in Nat. Pfl. 
Actinomeris Nutt. Compositae (v). 2 sp. Atl. U.S. 
