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Purple Clematis
POPPY ANEMONE. The generic term Anemone, or windflower, is from anemos, the wind, or from the river Anemo, that flowed past the city of Ravenna, where probably anemones grew abundantly in ancient times. In its relationships the anemone comes near to the ranunculus. One of its peculiarities is an involucre of three pieces usually distinct from the flower, and there is no pore or nectary as in the ranunculus.
GLADIOLUS, from gladius, a sword, in allusion to the form of the leaves. N.O., Iridaceoe. LINNAEAN: 3, Triandria; 1, Monogynia. -- Although the Cape species of gladiolus are best known in gardens, there are a few European species, and two of them are found wild in Britain. Gladiolus segetum, the cornflag, and G. communis, which may be called English if not British, very fairly represent the family, and are worthy of the special attention of the rambling botanist. Hitherto, however, G. communis has only been found amongst the bracken near Lyndhurst, in the New Forest. See under "Iris," synopsis, First Series, page xiii.
BROWALLIA. Named after Bishop Browallius. N.O., Scrophulariaceoe. LINNAEAN: 14, Didynamia; 2, Angiospermia.
HONEYSUCKLE, or CAPRIFOLIUM. The generic name means goat-leaf, because, we suppose, of the tendency of the plant to climb; but such etymologies are unsatisfactory. N.O., Caprifoliaceoe. LINNAEAN: 5, Pentandria; 1, Monogynia.--An interesting order, comprising, for the most part, deciduous twining shrubs. An important section is the genus Lonicera, named after Adam Lonicer, which is closely related to the genus Caprifolium. The flowers in this order are usually formed of a five-lobed calyx and a five-lobed corolla, each consisting of only one piece; the fruit is a berry. The associates of the honeysuckles are the elders, viburnums, snowberries, weigelas, cobaeas, and lycesterias, all of which are of free growth, and tree-like or sub-shrubby. They are all temperate or sub-arctic plants, and belong exclusively to the northern hemisphere. In their properties they are scarcely attractive, although the elder has some claims to a leading place in the economic garden because of its styptic juice, which may be taken as elder wine or indirectly as port wine, the berries being used both to colour and flavour the more expensive liquor.
COMMELINA. Named after J. and G. Commelin, Dutch botanists. N.O., Commelinaceoe. LINNAEAN: 3, Triandria; 1, Monogynia. --The Commelinas, or spiderworts, are of comparatively small consequence, so far as we know, in the vegetable world. They are herbs with hermaphrodite flowers, which are arranged in two sets of three pieces; the fruit is a capsule. Some of the plants of this order are edible, and those known in gardens which produce tuberous roots are sweet and agreeable. From the flowers of Commelina communis ultramarine is prepared.
CINERARIA, from cineres, ashes, in allusion to the grey down on the leaves of many species. N.O., Compositoe, or Asteraceoe. LINNAEAN: 19, Syngenesia; 2, Superflua.
AZALEA, from azaleos, dry, none of the species being met with in marshy ground, but most of them in dry and often barren situations. N.O., Ericaceoe. LINNAEAN: 5, Pentandria; 1, Monogynia.--The azalea does not, to the casual eye, appear related to the heather, but a critical scrutiny reveals the family tie. All the heath-worts, or cricaceous plants, are trees or shrubs with hard wood, entire leaves, and hermaphrodite, regular, or slightly irregular flowers. The calyx and corolla are four or five-divided, the stamens being double the pumber, and inserted in the receptacle. The fruit is in a capsule containing many small seeds. It is a large order, comprising the heaths, arbutus, clethra, azalea, rhododendron, ledum, and many other shrubs that are prized for their beauty, but are of small importance in the arts, the majority of them being bitter and astringent, and producing inedible fruits. The arbutus is an exception, as it produces an edible fruit, and hence is known as the "strawberry-tree." The bear-berry (Arctostaphylos) is another example, for if the berries are rarely eaten by man, they are by various species of birds that are prized as food. The common heather (Calluna vulgaris) is a very serviceable plant, as ale is brewed from its young tops with an addition of malt; horses, cattle, and sheep feed on it, but they do not prosper without the aid of better food. As a honey plant it is of great value, differing in this respect from the beautiful azalea, the honey from which (perhaps) poisoned Xenophon's soldiers. From Ledum latifolium is derived Labrador tea, and Gaultheria procumbens furnishes mountain tea.
EVERLASTING PEA, or LATHYRUS. N.O., Leguminoseoe, or Fabaceoe. LINNAEAN: 17, Diadelphia; 4, Decandria.