APIUM 
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birds, and thus distributed. In A . longifolium G. Don the root apex 
has been observed to develope into a shoot (Goebel; see p. 32). 
Anthyllis Riv. Leguminosae (ill. 4). 20 sp. Eur., N. Afr., W. Asia. 
(A. vulneraria L., lady’s fingers or kidney-vetch, in Brit.). The 
floral mechanism resembles that of Lotus; the stigma only becomes 
receptive when rubbed. 
Antiaris Lesch. Moraccae (11). 5 sp. E. Ind. A. toxicaria Lesch. is 
the famous Upas-tree of Java. The latex contains a virulent poison. 
Extraordinary stories of the effects of this were spread abroad about a 
century ago. The surroundings of the tree, within a radius of several 
miles, were said to be a total desert, the poisonous influence ema- 
nating from the tree being fatal to all other forms of life. The noxious 
volcanic valleys, containing quantities of carbon dioxide, are probably 
responsible for the origin of these legends (see Treas . ofBot.). 
Anticlea Kunth. =Zygadenus Michx. (same spec, names). 
Antidesma Burm. Euphorbiaceae (A. 1. 1). 70 sp. Old World trop. 
Antigonon Endl. Polygonaceae (ill. 5). 4 sp. trop. Am. A . Leptopus 
Hook, et Am. is a (stem) tendril climber. 
Antirrhinum Tourn. Scrophulariaceae (11. 5). 32 sp. N. Hemisph. 
A. majus L. the snapdragon, is found wild in some parts of Brit., 
but is probably an escape from cultivation. The mouth of the flr. is 
closed and the honey is thus preserved for bees, which alone are 
strong enough to force an entrance. 
Anychia Michx. Caryophyllaceae (11. 4). 2 sp. N. Am. 
Aotus Sm. Leguminosae (ill. 2). 11 sp. Austr., Tasm. 
Apera Adans. Gramineae (vm). 2 sp. Eur., W. As. A . (Agrostis) 
Spica-Venti , Beauv., the silky bent-grass, in Brit. 
Apetalae = Monochlamydeae or Incompletae (see p. 135). 
Aphelandra R. Br. Acanthaceae (iv. B). 60 sp. trop. Am. Several 
are cultivated for their showy firs, and coloured bracts. 
Aphyllanthes Tourn. Liliaceae (in). 1 sp. Medit., A. monspeliensis L. 
The solitary flr. is surrounded by an involucre of bracts, and is re- 
garded as the only remaining flr. of a head; the other firs, are only 
represented by their bracts (Engler). 
Apicra Willd. Liliaceae (ill). 7 sp. S. Afr. Xerophytes, nearly related to 
Aloe and Gasteria. Some, e.g. A. foliolosa Willd., show an extreme 
superposition of leaves, and form almost solid masses of fleshy tissue, 
biologically though not morphologically equivalent to a cactus. 
Apios Moench. Leguminosae (in. 10). 5 sp. N. Am., China. 
A. tuberosa Moench. is a favourite climber, a perennial with tuberous 
base to the stem. The flowers are peculiar, the keel forming a tube 
which bends up and rests against a depression in the standard. When 
liberated by insects or otherwise the tension of the keel makes it 
spring downwards, coiling up more closely. This causes the essential 
organs to emerge at its apex. 
Apium (Tourn.) Linn. (incl. Helosciadium Koch). Umbelliferae (5). 
16 
W. 
