American flora V1, Strong 1855

^^ f^y £Lr-i:X , THE AMERICAN FLORA, OB HISTORY OF PLANTS AID ¥ILD ELO¥EES: CONTAINIKO THEIR SCIENTIFIC AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION NATURAL HISTORY, CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES, MODE OF CULTURE, PROPAGATION, &C AS A BOOK OF REFEP.EXCE FOR BOTANISTS, PUYSICIANS, FLORISTS, aARDENEES, STUDENTS, ETC BY A B STRONO, M VOL IS D I ILLUSTRATED WITH SIXTY-SIX BEAUTIFUL COLORED ENGRAVINGS, TAKEN FROM NATURE LIBRARY « NEW YORK BOTANICAL NEW-YORK: PUBLISHED BY HULL 13 ANN STREET 1855 ^"^^"^^ & SPENCEB, vN- i^ • Entered accorJing to Act, of 'f Cougiess, in the year 1S45, by GREEN i SPENCER, In the Clerk's 0£5ce of the District Court of the Southern District of Xew York ^ B PREFACE In the whole catalogue of the Materia Medica, the productions of the animal and mineral kingdom those of the vegetable some time past, the Though it bear a small proportion must be acknowledged to that, fur medicinal uses of vegetable simples have been less regarded by physicians than they were formerly, which probably may be ascribed to the successive discoveries and improvements in chemistry ence is ; it would, however, be difficult to show that this prefer- com supported by any conclusive reasoning, drawn from a more parative superiority of chemicals over galenicals, or that the general use of the former has actually led to a more successful practice The various American works on Botany have given but very limited portions of the vegetable few medical practitioners have a individual plants of kingdom ; yet limited as they are, distinct botanical which they are composed, though generally well acquainted with their effects and medical uses who is knowledge of the But the practitioner unable to distinguish those plants which he prescribes, is not only subjected to the impositions of the ignorant and fraudulent, but which the must feel a mind will be anxious to remove, and to such, dissatisfaction American Flora will be found inquisitive it and philosophic is presumed, the an acceptable and useful work ; the PREFACE JV profos.seil dcsi^r of v Lull tinguish with prccisiou and ical use, to furnish all uol only to enable the reader to is those plants which are directed for med- him at the detail of their respective virtues, same time wiih a child may walk circumstantial and of the diseases in which they have been most successfully employed by A dis- into the field, different authors and amuse himself with the He groups of flowers which there present themselves to his notice may be able to distinguish Rose and the and rich rate its between the Tulip and the Snowdrop, the Lili/, and be delighted with their external beauties varieties; but it the liotanist alone, is knowledge of the various parts of the then, can expatiate on men of must be obvious that those plants in a knowledge of Botany science and general literature, it is The Author valuable plants, nature ; all properties, ought men has the satisfaction of introducing many rare which have never been completely portrayed preceding work whatever, America, necessary to so kingdom which possess medicinal vegetable certainly to attract the attention of medical cal accu- wonderful formation If, the plant, who by an beautifully embracing colored, all and the their and in Wild Flowers any of drawings taken from and by subjoining a botanical description, natural and medi- liistory of each species, curiosity double interest is excited in the is mind of more fully giatified, the student and a INDEX LATIN NAMES Kletris farinosa Aloe pcrfoliata Aloe socotorina Aloe vulgaris Amygdalus communis Anacardium occidentale Anemone pralensis Anthemis nobilis Anthemis pyrethrum Aquilegia canadensis Arctium lappa Atropa belladonna Borago officinalis Camelia japonica Capsicum annum Cassia fistula Celastrus scandens Chelone glabra Cichorium intybiis - Cistus creiicus Citrzis aurantitim Colchicum autumnale Convolvulus jalapa Croton tiglium Dianthus caryopkyllus [hgitalis purpurea Gtntiana pttrpurea • Oladiolus alatus Habranthus roseus ffetleborus niger Hyacinthus orientalia Hypericum perforatum fnula helenium - INDEX LATIN NAMES SPATHACE^ NAT ORDER 186 varieties with double white flowers, with purple-cupped flowers, and with yellow-cupped flowers Propagation ami Culture of this extensive genus olT-set cure may bulbs from the roots new ; and varieties by planting the All the difierent species be increased with facility, and by sowing the seed in order to pro- which is chiefly j^ractised for the fine sorts of For tliis pvupose the seed should be caresaved from the best and most curious plants after being perfectvarieties, Polyanthus Narcissus fully ly ripened The seed should be sown after it becomes beginning of August, in shallow boxes or flat ripe, in or about the pans perforated with holes in the bottom, and filled with fresh light sandy earth, being cov- ered about a quarter of an inch deep with fine sifted mould, and placed moniing sun, till the beginning of whiter, when they should be removed to have the full in such situations as are only exposed to Jie and be sheltered from the severe weather In the spring, when the plants appear, they should be occasio ally watered in dry weather, and be screened from the mid-day heat, remo^-ing them into cooler sun, warm season advarces, keeping them free from all Towards the latter part of summer, when their sorts of weeds stems decay, the surface mould of the boxes or pans should be stirred or wholly removed, and some -esh mould sifted over the plants, being careful not to disturb the roots, and keeping them dry in a situations as the , shaded situation They should have the samef- management annually, of their leaves decaying in the third summer, when till the period the bulbs shoiUd be taken up, and the larges separated and planted out on raised beds of light fine mould '^ rows six inches apart, and three or four e depth of two or three inches distant in them, having They and when they show flowers, so they may be removed, and managed should afterwards be ^vept clean as to ascertain their properties, a* other bidbous roots ; t - XI< (^.i:^^u^9^&c^u t^yc^^ftz^-f^Pt^- >>>;:, NAT ORDER Liliacece HYACINTHUS ORIENTALIS Hexandria Class Vr Gen Char mens, Seeds, Perianth, tubular, six-cleft The Sfa- awl-shap- Capsule, ovately-trigonal, three-celled Perianth, funnel-shaped, half-cleft Ticbe, root is large, viscid, the scajje Segments, spread- venticose at the base and bulbous ; the scape or stem immediately from this biUb, bearing from six ; Style, many, roundish to ten leaves, broadish, keeled, pale-green at the bottom, but ends ' Segments, reflexed the middle of the tube six, inserted in i^K Char ing Monogynia Ordey- Stigma, obtuse ed COMMON HYACINTH is from six risti which arc much darker near to ten inches in height, brown towards pale-green below, but tinged with Jloioers are placed near the top, standing one above another, on ferent sides, and each nodding on ; the corolla drical except at the base, is the top; tiie dif- about half an inch iu and having a pair of brae- pedicels, length, usually of a very dark-green color, tes at the base the smooth, roundish, nearly an inch in length, almost cylin- where it swells ; i\\&Jlowers have a very much valued for the variety of their colors probably known to every lover of flowers but sWeetish smeU, and are The hyacinth is many who are unacquainted with ; its history will be surprised to hear that there are only three species in the genus, and that two of The fact is, that all the almost innumeral)le hyacinths common in our gardens are varieties of one spe- these are rarely seen kinds of 187 ; NAT ORDER 188 cies, Hijncintlius orientalis ; may LILIACE.E and as these vary very much from seed, be readily crossed with each other, no limit can be given to the number and variety of hyacinths that may be raised The hyacinth, m its vpild state, is generally blue, but sometimes pink, and it grows in great abundance in tlie neighborhood of Alep])o has also been occasionally found in France and Barbary, but in both cases it was probably only a garden flower, which had sown itself accidentally The garden hyacinth was first and Bagdad It introduced in England before 1596, as Gerard speaks of it as a well known flower, without saying when it was introduced and he de; scribes several double varieties of the origmal flower, Avliich he says, simply, was first Gerard were brought from the East all blue, white, or pink The varieties known and only these colors ; to were known in hyacinth till about the commencement of the present century, when a few pale yellow, or rather lemon colored, kinds were These raised from seed bridizing Much and liave smce been greatly improved by hy- cultivation has been said and Avritten on the culture of the hyacinth, but the following accoimt of the Dutch mode of culture, (which was ti-anslated for and published in the Gardeners' Magazine,) which we have been told by florists, contains every thing that is necessary to be known on the subject " The hyacmth likes a very sandy soil, well-prepared, fine, wnthout any appearance of stones or gravel, and which consequently looks exactly as if it had been passed tlu-ough a fine sieve All kinds of loam or stiflT soil, wliich bind so closely together that, wind cannot separate be avoided No perfect hyacinths their particles as ; but one is This sand, which is diy, the does those of sand, must kind of red, blush, or blackish soil will produce considered particularly good, which light grey, and which resembles mould it when fine, is very sandy, and light garden very light of itself, is made still lighter by the addition of the thin sand of the Dutch downs, which is of a pale yellow color, very fine, and contains neither stones nor gravel ; NAT ORDER and as soil, if — sand constitutes the principal part of the niLKture of this natui'e denies us a supply of it which river-sand, to is nuist search Various it but the preference for this piu*pose, we at home, at other places, or try to prepare one like used 189 LILIACE.E is soils tlie l(.)r it have been given to a pale yellow added a third of leaf-mould In preparing the beds, particular attention must be paid to two rules : — first, Tliat for the space of four years previously to planting, no manure of a heating quality, must be mixed with the That hyacinths must not be grown every four years because, The latter ride in the same soil Second, soil oftener than once must be particularly attended to planted a year earlier, the decayed remains of the old if bulbs would communicate the rot or other diseases to the newlyplanted bidbs cinths, the and it In Holland, a bed second with The if is dug : is dug is deep all with Polyanthus Narcissus ; generally prepared for hyacinths ; and, when too round the bed, and or stones, and then covered up ri died year with hya- — Between December and February the five or six feet apprehended, a drain first something similar were planted even the bed, however, the fourth season as follows ground planted the tulips, the third would be desirable fourth year is In much water filled is with ^^ood March every square yard is en with fonr hand-barrowfids of pure cow-manure (without straw) dug in a foot deep During the summer, vegetables or annuals are grown on the bed, which not exhavist the soil too much The following autuma (therefore the fifth,) the soil is dug one and a half or two inches deep, taking care to let the manure, which was put on the ground in spring, remain a foot deep in the earth per drain is not made, a trench which may be taken out a half feet broad, When is left the above operation is used, two if a pro- and one and open, so that the water collected in is it performed, the bulbs must be prepa- red for planting in the beginning of October sists in feet wide, When This preparation con- examining whether the bulbs are perfectly healthy ; because they are unhealthy, they not only will not flower, but will infect — : : 190 NAT ORDER those near them LlLIACEiE It is necessary, therefore, in the acquainted with the diseases they are liable First, the Fourth, white rotz mould Second, the black rotz : Fifth, consumption or wasting : be first place, to to, which are : Third, the rot : Sixth, shrinking : and Seventh, excess of offsets The white Fi7st rotz is known by a resin which generally oozes from the upper part of the biUb, and also from the which, about this time of the year, (October,) The white tency, not unlike the resin that flows from trees also and rotz assumes the appearance of a white slimy substance, and has a very unpleasant smeU, which bulb side, of a hard consis- is is cut open ; and bulbs is when the should be thrown away particularly evident in this state without hesitation Second white rotz ; The black rotz is more difficult because, as soon as the bulb is to know than the taken out of the groimd up also The stool or plate of the bulb, (that is, the point from which the roots proceed downwards,) appears a.5 if eaten out on the side, and the scales at that part have and kept dry, the rotz dries dry black edges ; THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS ' URIT AMOK PLANTAS." —LOVE CONSUMES THE FLOWEIiS — Acacia planted by the ancients near the (Eose) Elegance of appear tombs of their friends, because it was ance and manners Tliis beautiful supposed that the shades of the dead sbrub has been compared to a fash would walk in the fields of this plant iouable lady in her ball dross Aloe Hope in futurity It grows in Arethusa My regret shall become a fountain of tears The name is the wilderness, and is slightly attachthat of a nymph of Diana, who was ed to the earth by thread-like roots Amaranth Immortality The name transformed into a foimtain You have cured signifies never fading," and the Balm of Gilead flower retains its foiTn and colorin my pains It was famous in ancient " Is times as a soothing remedy in spite of time In many countries it is a funeral flower Amaryllis Affectation, pride It is one of the most beautiful of flowering plants, but often refuses to open its there no bahn in Gilead ?" Balsam Impcdience ToucJi me — if you2:>lease the capsules On the fly not, slightest touch open, and distribute their seeds petals A The Berberry sour ternpier is no slight The fruit is acid, and the the food of the gods evil shrub is armed with thorns Amaita Aivay ! I shall revecd no This is a mushroom, which Bay Leaf I change but in dying secrets being eaten, produces a sort of intox- Basil / may hcde you falsely It ication, during which the subject is was formerly used as an emblem of said to reveal his own secrets, and poverty and distress, and by some those of his neighbors esteemed in cookery Ambrosia Elevated Sentiments name signifies Anemone / am forsakoi and in de- Box spair Andromeda A cruel fate lias fixed me here This was named in allusion to the fate of the maiden, Andromeda, who was condemned to spend her days in the midst of a marsh which / change not It is esteemed unchanging nature It constantly retains its verdure from year to year, and changes but little in size Bulrush You are indiscreet It is an emblem of indiscretion, because it bends in any direction with the for its was haunted by ferocious reptiles slightest touch Angelica Thou inspirest me with Buttercup Deceit is often thus covTlic Lapland poets ptoetic visions The flowers are of a beautiful ered are crowned with tliis plant, and concolor, and pleasing to the eye, but sider themselves inspired by its frawill blister the skin grance Burdock Don't come near me The Asphodel My thoughts will follow calyx is armed with hooks, which you beyond the grave chng to every thing they touch This was LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS '2 Cactus You strihe me tvifh horror Cock's-comb Fops cannot hut he This plant is armed with ferocious- fools The flower resembles the crown of the bird of which the name looking sj lines, which are ready to implies shed tlie blood of those who touch them Convolvulus Thou lovest darlcness Calla Beauty unadorned The letter than light Some of the spespathe is gracefully curved, and withcies sleep, or close their petals during out a blush of color the day, and spread them only during Camellia Your various icaittics ice the night all admire A species of the tca- CoRNus Precocity often comes to The Dogwood blossoms in ])lant, with jnire white or variegated naught the spring, before anything else ; but tints of its jjetals, which outrivals in the flowers are mere involucres, fallpermanent beauty all other exotic ing off, and coming to nothing plants Catchfly I am not to he caught Crocus You are a constant enigma tvithout my consent The leaves oi^en to all your acquaintcuice Tlic semination of the Crocus is a wonder to the sun, but close upon any insect which happens to touch them The germen emerges from under Carxatiok There is danger of a ground on a white peduncle, and It grows high, and requires a ripens its seeds above ground, differfcdl prop to keep it erect ing from all other vegetables Gakdinal-Flq-vver Thoic art a gem in the Yotcr heauty is Cowslip beautiful midst of the desert Each footstalk heightened hy contrast is said to bear twelve flowers, hence, flower, growing in swamps, among rushes and brambles Wheu first by Linnajus, Dodecathcon, that is, twelve divinities seen it elicits emotions of surjirise Cypress An emblem of mourning and pleasure Tliis is an evergreen, which the anEnergy ivill surmount Chamomile Though every day tram- cients delighted to place among the adversity tombs of their friends Many of the pled upon, it still grows, and flourchests containing Egyptian mummies ishes and blossoms also the are made of this wood CiRC-EA I shall beware of your engates of Rome cheintmcnts Named after Circe, the Love at first sight enchantress, and is called Enchant- Coreopsis The Spanish lanative of Mexico It grows in shady er's Nightshade dies adorn their heads with this places, and about the ruins of old flower buildings, where such characters are CoRCHORUS Tliy absence is not forsupposed to dwell Clematis Virgin's Bower Your gotten, The name is taken from the Greek, signifying a delicious pot herb injiuence favors mental accomplishmuch esteemed by that people onents This vine screens the sun, You are and forms a refreshing place of study DaffodiIj Uncertainty in the hot season now in the morning of life, fuU of Columbine I see folly marked upon hope but time will show you their your face The nectaries turn over, uncertainty May j-our and resemble the caps worn by those Dew Plant Serenade who were fools and jesters by profes- dreams be as fine as pearly bells, ris A ; A — ; sion in ancient times ing in cijstal fountains LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS cay, and lose their beauty in one Elegance and dignity short hour ; not so their memoiy love thee for thy high-born grace True love This thy beauty is as undcnicd as the Forget-me-not beautiful flower is found by some sebeauty of a star cluded stream, or in the silent glen; Daisy Beauty and innocence I canbut by the mildness of its purple hue not look upon a star, a fleecy cloud, attracts the wanderer or any form of inirity, unless I needs Foxglove must dream of thee Your influence affects my heart When the leaves of this Dandelion You force yourself where plant are taken, the pulse is reduced you are not toatited Its seeds fly to a very great degree through the air, and perplex the gar Humble love This plant dener, by planting themselves in his Fuchsia is universally admired for its modest rich soils Duck Meat Tou are too light to retiring beauty Dahlia ; Beauty and excellence sink in toater This plant grows on Gentian the surface of ponds, never touching It derives its name from Gentius, a king of Illyria, and is esteemed for the bottom even with its roots Eglantine Poetic excellence The its invigorating and healthful influence Greeks awarded this as a prize for Geraniuji Domestic enjoyment K'') poetic eloquence in floral games Elder Compassion plant thrives so well in inhabited let me Oh wipe the tears from your eyes and rooms as the Geranium when sick or wounded, ease thy pains Geranium (Fish) Fom arc disagreeNone admire the smell Its properties are healing able to me of fish Evergreen Poverty and Worth bridal deThough your dress be coarse and Geranium (Ivy-leafed) coration May you wear so honorasimple, you have a heart most free ble a badge and kind Everlasting Always remembered Geranium (Lemon) Tranquillity of At morn, or noon, or night, of thee mind Geranium (Oak-leaved)l Names conmy mind's eye never loses sight Fennel Strength It is said that fer no qualities It has not the gladiators mixed it with their food qualities of the noble oak ! ; A You have tlieprcto give them strength and ferocity Geranium (Kose) Fir does not enjoy the Time The slow unfolding flow- ferencc fragrance of the Kose ? er, or harvest ripening in autumn's sun, chides your impatient haste GERANiUM(Scarlet) Thouart changed Flax Domestic industry In ancient GiLLY Flower Bonds of affection tunes the spinning of flax was a female Its influence renders it peculiarly employment, so honorable that the welcome to the afilicted daughters of princes did not disdain it Golden Kod Encouragement Fresh Flowering Keed courage take ; here is a remedy for Confidence in heaven There's peace, strength, your pains holy fortitude, and sweet rest, in Grape delicious fruit, Mirth thoughts and visions of that cKme making an exhilarating beverage where dwell the loved and blest Harebell Grief 'Tis sad to mark Flower of an Hour Delicate beauty the ravage that the heart makes of 'Tis thus that loved ones quick de-[ itself Who A LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS — Hope on, hope ever Like a quickset liedge, a sure defence IIawthoen without something to which it may attach itself against despair Iris I come with a pleasing message Heaet's-ease, or Pansy Think on The flower-de-luce is a species The me luJien I'm away This species of fabled Iris was a messenger of the violet has no fragrance, but has been gods, who carried only good news ail emblem of love, from its tiny size Ice Plant Your very looks are and beauty freezing This is a jilant covered llEATn Esteem does not depend on with a mucUagc resembhng ice This shrub is esteemed Ivy Nothing can divide our affections Elevation for its easy culture, and the profusion The Ivy is a vine which cUngs with of flowers it puts forth in winter great tenacity to whatever may be Helliotrope / am devoted to one oh its support It is said always to keep its Jasmine Jcct Thy mild grace has won disk towards the sun my heart The branches of tliis vine Hellebore Calumny may be twisted into fanciful shapes, native of Europe and Asia ; flowers greenand still retain their vigor ish a very poisonous jjlant Jonquil Affection returned It has Hibiscus Beauty is vain All that's a golden colored flower, emitting a bright must fade pleasant and powerful perfume Holly Come not near me The Juniper I tvill pirotect you The leaves of this shrub are armed with thick drooping branches of this shrub thorns afford protection to the hare and other Hollyhock You are ambitious of timorous animals when pursued show A native of Syria, and one King-cup I would be rich This is of the most elevated and showy of an extensive genus, numbering nearall our annuals ly one hundred species the flowers Hon£y Flower 3Iy love is sweet and are of a veiy glossy yellow, and very secret Indigenous to the Cape of common in our fields in June Good Hope Flowers yellow and Laburnum Pensive beauty Flowpink ; nectarious ers purplish or yellow, drooping in Honeysuckle Fidelity I will be clusters tliine in weal or woe Ladies'- Slipper You are too wild HousTONiA Unaspiring beauty lasts for a domestic companion It is a the longest little blue flower beautiful, prudish-looking red flower, which covers our meadows, and conwhich stands nodding in the forest, tinues to bloom from April to Nobut does not thrive so well in the vember J^! "^^f garden Hyacinth Love of pilay may decide Larkspur Fickleness A flower very your fate Name of a youth killed easily cultivated, and whose form in a game of quoits by Apollo and hue is often changed Hydrangea Superior merit when Laurel Oh ! what a goodly c:cterior assumed is lost The red color of magnificent falsehood hath ! this plant is changed to blue when American shrub, with gaudy colors, watered by a solution of alum but acts as a poison when taken Hypericum Animosity An everLaurustinus a token IpoMiEA / tootdd attach myself to you green shrub ; flowers white, someThe Morning-glory cannot chmb times tinged with red A — : A , - A ,^ /*- LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS Lemox Grief This fruit is an emblem of grief, or mourning, and Ls fre- science This plant seeks the shade, and is said to be noxious to the earth where it grows quently placed in the hands of the Hindoo widow, who is about to offer Marygold Inquietude This gilded flower has ever been made the emherself on the funeral pile of her husblem of distress of mind band This xhrub is partic- Meadow Sweet Healing This plant Youth Lilac possesses valuable properties for healularly domestic in its nature, and ing wounds and sores flowers early in the spring Love in a Returned Mezereon (Common) Lilly of the Valley This is a highly orsnoiv-wreath This modest little favor liappiness namental plant, but is very acrid and ite sends forth its shining leaves and poisonous fragrant bells in the month of May, Mignonette Your qualities omicli that happiest season of the year surpass your appearance This little Lilly (Water) Eloquence favorite, with unpretending modesty, Lilly (White) Purity The lily is among the oldest inhabitants of the is frequently sought for rooms and flower-garden, and its white andfra balconies on account of its fragrance Sengrant flowers justly entitle it to the MiMORA, or Sensitive Plant language of learn to Although mies, yet, as appreciated Locust You may yet appreciate my goodness this plant has many ene more known, its so pro])erties is it This plant possesses small which contract under the least irritation, droop and die Mint Virtue 'Sam.ed from, mintha, in allusion to a nymph of that name, fabled to have been changed into mint by Proserpineinafitof jealousy Misletoe Your existence is dependent upon others This is a par- \ V sitiveness ]iurity Lobelia (Common) , become the more highly fibres, Affection beyond the grave The locust is a beautiful tree, with asite plant that lives, and derives white and very fragrant flowers Loxdon-Pride Frivolity its nourishment from the truidvs of LuPiXE (White) Slavery It derived trees its name from lupms, a wolf, on ac- Mock-Orange Memory When count of its being supposed to destroy once we inhale the penetrating odor the fertilty of the soil of this flower, it dwells on the sense Madder (Dyer's) Deceit is often the for a long time means of its oiun detection When Monk's-hood You commit many cattle break into the madder-fiehls black and horrid deeds Almost and eat their leaves, they stain or numberless are the accounts of the color their teeth red fatal effects of this poisonous plant Magnolia Thou art one of nature's Moss Maternal love The first spenobility This noble genus surpasses cies of vegetation that clothes the soil all others, either in simiilicity, magin spring, and the last that disapnificence, or beauty pears when it ceases to nourish Mallow Mild as a mooribeam Nam- Motherwort Concealed love ed in allusion to the soft mucilagin- Mulberry Wisdom ous qualities which the plant is pos- Myrtle AntiUnchanging love sessed of quity has consecrated the myrtle to Mandrake Emblem of a guilty con- Venus Its leaves are unchangingly LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS greeu, and from tliis circumstance has obtained this sentiment Narcissus Egotists are Self-love only agreeable to themselves Nasturtium, or Indian Water CRESS Darkness flees at your apIn the darkness of midsummer's night, it is said, that the 2)roach electrical sjjarks maybe seen omana' ting from the flowers of this plant Nasturtium (Small-leaved) Ilidden Emblematically named secret in allusion to the small, hardly evident and from its being but imperknown petals, fectly Nettle (Stinging) Your fang is long remembered long been employed to decorate the head of the bride Hence they have obtained the language of " Bridal Purity." Orchis My poicer shall be felt Ionger than those I imitate Tliis plant possesses a flower that so strongly resembles a bee as frequently to be mistaken for that insect Osier (Common) Frankness The readiness with which the bark of this tree yields its valuable mucilaginous properties, obtained for it the language of " Frankness." Palm (Fan) Virtue The character of grandeur, as well as their iumiense value to mankind, in aflording food and raiment and numerous objects of economical importance, claims for this tree its scntunent 2^oisonous The poi son of this plant, like that of the bee, is contained in the ovulum, a little sac, and which is forced out as the point enters the skin Parsley Night-flowering Cactus 3Ieet me hy moon-light The flowers of this / relish your j^jresence This has ever been a fevorite ]dant for the seasoning of various dishes of luxury plant begin to open about eight o'clock in the evening, and at three Pasque-flower (Garland) Unpretending goodness in the morning withers, droops and This flower is valued for its hardy nature, and bedies cause it will flower at almost any Night-shade (Deadly) The emhlem The generic name is after season of the year, by due attention of death Love and relione of the Yates, whose business it Passion-flower This beautiful flower gious faith was to sever the thread of life Oak Thou art honorable above all is supposed to represent the Cross, Among the ancient Romans the Crown of Thorns, the Scourge, others and the nails used at the Crucifixthe civic crown formed from the ion leaves of this tree, was the most exRememher me This alted honor the nation could confer Pea (Sweet) Oleander (Common) I fear for you is a graceful pretty vine, with flowThere's nothing true but heaven ers variegated with blue, lilac, rose, Olive Fence be with you The olive and white, emitting a delightful fratree has been celebrated since the grance time the Dove conveyed the branch Peach Blossom Yoidhful piety to Noah's ark, as the bounteous The Peach is a well kno^^^l tree It gift of heaven, and as an emblem of blooms among the first of fruit-bearpeace and plenty ing trees Orange Flowers Bridal purity Pear Yoidhful loveliness Its flowThe leaves of the orange are a beau- ers are nearly white and very pretty, tiful shining green, and the flowers, and expanding so early in the seafrom their beauty and fragrance, have son, renders them a veiy appropriate LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS You are radiant with Ranuecielus char 7ns of feelinf/ Ancient The pleasant, warm, and agreeable Rhododendron Danger 'botanists have reputed this tree to taste of this aromatic plant, is too possess noxious qualities, ])oisoning well kiunvn to require description the honey made from its blossoms, remembrances Pekiwjnkle Sweet when bees have had access to it Phlox Our so^ils arc united Pink Apple TJiou art perfect This Rosemary Fidelity and Love The rosemary has long been considered jdant aflords the most delicious fruit emblem of youtlif'ul loveliuess Warmth Peppekmint an emblem of fidelity in lovers, from the brilliant flowers the supposed quality, of strengthensword-like loaves, ing the memory and the sweet-scented fragrance of Thy presence is universally beits fruit, leaves nothing further to be Rose loved From the earliest periotls of desired The history, this flowerhasbeen cidtivated Pink (Red) Woman's love and esteemed in eveiy part of the red ]>iiik claims a conspicuous part in the world arising amid ; its among the many the richness of varieties, its color, world dc- Rose-bud both for and its lightfid fragrance You retain your original simplicity This is said to be the primitive plant, from wliicli the numerous variegated varieties have Pink (White) been produced by Love The rose-bud has long been considered an emblem of love.- Rose (Dog) Simplicity Rose (llundrcd-lcaved) Grace Rose (Japan) 3Iy destiny is in your hands art Your charms only ex- Rose (Monthly) pectation of future happiness is the fade to he renewed This beautiful species sends forth new blossoms evebest relief of anxious thought, the ry month guide of life, and the comfort in No Rose (Moss) Perfect beauty death class of plants yields more intrinsic Tliis Foppy Sleep of the heart delight to the amateur than the rose plant is a jjowerful narcotic, from which opium is extracted Rose (White) Silence Byron in his poems has rendered this species saPeide of China Discussion Life is the time for action, not for fruitless cred to the silence of the tomb Rue An emblem of jnirification speculation Primrose Early youth This plant Rush Docility This slender reed, is one of the first to announce the deprived of support, bows gracefully return of spring, and it being the peto every passing breeze riod before the bright days of sum- Saffron (Meadow) Excess is danmer appear, makes it emblematical gerous small portion of the leaves of a lovely girl just passing from or seeds of this plant has proved a childhood to youth fatal poison to man and beast QuAMOCLiT (Crimson) Busybody Sage I loould prolong your days It Quince Beware of temptation Some was believed by the ancients, that learned commentators have advanced sage would restore the sick to health, the idea that it was this fruit, instead and prolong the days of the infirm of the apple, by which sin and wo Snapdragon You are dazzling but entered this world This plant is named in dangerous Polyanthus Confidence The A LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS Vohptuousness allusion to tlie form of the leaves, be- Tuberose ing snout-form, hence dragon-like Tulip Thou wert once the dearest Snowball (Tree) If all tvcre like you the earth ivould soon hecome a The stamens this of desert plant are flotver on tvhich the sun ever shone About the middle of the l7th century, such was the mania for particular sorts of tliis plant in Persia, that a changed into petals, therefore prosingle bulb was sold for $20,000 ducing no seed Snowdkop Though in chains hope Tulip Tree Rural happiness has not forsaken me As soon as this Vervain Now thine art is knoicn thy sjkII no longer binds Most oxtradwarfish plant is uncovered from the ordinarj' magical vuiues were attrisnow and ice, it opens its petals and apbuted by the ancient Druids, but like pears in the full Lloom and vigor of life I not crave your other sorts of witchcraft, the spell was St John's-wokt broken when its fallacy was known In superstitious ages jjrotection Repentance follows this i)lant was in the windows Vine (Grape) charm against storms, thunder, and was also carried about as a charm against witchcraft Stock-Jillt-flower I]y cultivation as a and e\al spirits, the rustic may Anarcharsis says embrace that the \'ine produces three kinds of fruit ; intoxication, debauchery, and repentance, and that Avisdom shuns thine them attain the highest disOriginally tliis was an in- Violet all I must he sought for to be found Ever since Diana changed lo into a violet, to hide her from Apolclose attention it has become one of lo, the flower has been made the emthe noblest of ornamental plants blem of modesty Stkaavbeery Tree Perseverance Sunflower You are valued for luhat Wall-flower My affection is above This modest time or misfortune you not possess This stately the nourishblooms on plant little turn dial; supposed to its annual is ment derived from the dust of ruined constantly towards the sun castles, and never fails to })ut forth Sweet Pea DepaHure modest flowers, unless disturbed its Sweet-william Childhood by the hand of man Tansey I declare tear against you This herb is extremely nauseous and Willow (Weeping) Mourning for friends deceased From earliest hisbitter to the taste, and in some countory to the present time we find the tries the inhabitants present its leaves willow used to designate places sato those they intend to insult cred to the dead This 'you Thistle I am afraid of Joy plant is thickly beset Avith bristles, WOOD-SORKEL Emblem of anguish Wormwood and bids defiance to the touch The peculiar qualities of this plant Thorn-apple Thy poisonous charms have established it as the insignia of are only for the night In warm bitter sorrow climates the flowers of this genus This may be Insensibility droop and languish during the day Yew considered an emblem of iusensibilibut upon the approach of night unin the poetry fold and display their gorgeous balls tv, war, or mourning in of Scott, it is a symbol of war Trefoil (Clover) Providence Trumpet-flower (Ash-leaved) Sep- one of Byron's beautiful dirges, it is made an emblem of mourning aration tinction significant little straggler, but bj' ; ; ...^^ f^y £Lr-i:X , THE AMERICAN FLORA, OB HISTORY OF PLANTS AID ¥ILD ELO¥EES: CONTAINIKO THEIR SCIENTIFIC AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION... fraudulent, but which the must feel a mind will be anxious to remove, and to such, dissatisfaction American Flora will be found inquisitive it and philosophic is presumed, the an acceptable and useful... or that the general use of the former has actually led to a more successful practice The various American works on Botany have given but very limited portions of the vegetable few medical practitioners