File:An encyclopedia of plants; - comprising the specific culture, history, application in the arts, and every other desirable particular respecting all the plants indigenous, cultivated in, or introduced (16485066978).jpg

Title: An encyclopedia of plants; : comprising the specific culture, history, application in the arts, and every other desirable particular respecting all the plants indigenous, cultivated in, or introduced to Britain: combining much of the information contained
Identifier: 01063918.91195.emory.edu
Year: 1841 (1840s)
Authors: Loudon, J. C. (John Claudius), 1783-1843
Subjects: Botany
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Contributing Library: Emory University, Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Emory University, Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library

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Order I. HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 257 4300 Leaves radical numerous white beneath with slellate hairs, Umbel few-flowered 4301 Scape 1-fl. shorter than the oblong elliptical smooth plaited leaves 4302 Leaves linear smooth channelled, Flower solitary green outside 4303 Scape 1-fl. shorter than the linear ciliate serrate keeled leaves, Flowers out of flower reflexed 4304 Leaves channelled hairy entire, Scapes 1-fl. 4305 Leaves lanceolate on long stalks, Head sessile, Flowers shorter than bractes 4306 Leaves linear subulate, Flowers sessile 4307 Leaves linear subulate, Flowers stalked 4308 Leaves lanceolate, Tube of flower very long 4309 Leaves elliptical, Head sessile, Tube of flower scarcely longer than limb 4310 Leaves elliptical recurved, Head stalked cernuous. Tube of flower very short 4311 Panicle branched divaricating 4312 Spike terminal simple whorled 4313 Prickles of stem reflexed, Spadix divaricating straight 4314 Prickles spreading; Spadix radical 4315 Culm divided, Panicle branched, Flowers erect digynous 4316 Point of scape very long leafy 4317 Point of scape scarcely longer than spadix 4318 Leaves lanceolate-ovate 4319 Leaves ensiform 4320 The only species 4321 Leaves tripartite multifid 4322 Leaves ovate lanceolate entire stalked
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ana Miscellaneous Particulars. there are several species or varieties, all distinguished by a stem which is perennial, unbranched, long, round, solid, jointed, scandent when near trees, but without prickles or tendrils, extremely tough and pliable. The diflerent sorts grow on the banks of rivers in the East, like our reeds, and furnish valuable props for plants, cables, ropes, withs, wicker and wattled work, baskets, hoops for petticoats, walking-sticks, &c. C. Zalacca, the Saixck, is cultivated for the fruit, which is about the size of a walnut, and covered with scales like those of a lizard; within the scales are two or three sweet yellow kernels. This tree is supposed to yield the dragon's blood. 754. Ehrharta. So named by Linnaeus, in honor of Frederick Ehrhart, a native of Switzerland, a very diligent and acute observer. These are very curious grasses, of which an account has been published in the Transactions of the Linnean Society. 755. Acorns. From «, privative, and the pupil of the eye, maladies in which are supposed to be cured by the virtues of this plant Acorus Calamus, Linnaeus observes, is the only native aromatic plant of northern climates; the root powdered might supply the place of foreign spices. It has a strong aromatic smell, and a warm, pungent, bitterish taste. The flavor is greatly improved by drying. The roots are commonly imported from the Levant; but those of our own growth are full as good. The Turks candy them, and regard them as a preservative against contagion. In many counties of England, in which the plant abounds, it was formerly used to strew the floors of houses instead of rushes; a purpose for which its fragrant leaves made it very suitable. The aromatic principle is an essential oil, which can be obtained by distillation. The root has been em- ployed in medicine since the time of Hippocrates. By the moderns it is successfully used in intermittent fever even after bark has failed, and is certainly a very useful addition to Cinchona. It is also a useful adjunct to bitters, and stomachic infusions. Thomson says, (Mat. Med. 134.) it is too seldom prescribed. Though the plant is abundant in the fenny districts of England, yet what is used by the druggists is imported from the Levant No cattle whatever eat the plant 756. Urontium. The Greek name of a plant now unknown to us as such. It is thought co have been so called from growing on the edge of the Orontes, a river of Asia Minor. O. japonicum has broad leaves like those of the lily of the valley, green on the upper side, and covered with very minute hairs, so that they look like a fine velvet. Cattle, hogs, and stags, are very fond of these leaves in the spring, and they come out among the earliest. Kalm states, that the Indians gather the seeds and eat them when dried like peas, boiling them repeatedly in water before they are fit for use; they also boil them in milk or butter, and use them instead of bread. They call the plant Tawkee. It grows in marshes, near moist and low grounds, very plentifully in Virginia, Canada, and other provinces of North America. 757. Tupistra. A diminutive of rvxas, a mallet, on account of the peculiar form of the flower. An obscure plant, supposed to belong to the order Aroidea?. It has long lanceolate broad leaves, and radical spikes of dingy purple flowers. It requires the heat of a bark-bed. 758. Tacca. The Malay name of the plant. T. pinnatifida has a red root, the size of a man's fist, roundish.

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