Acacia is a genus of plants of the family Leguminosae sub-family Mimoseae consisting of trees or shrubs with compoundpinnate leaves. They grow in Africa, Arabia, Australia and the East Indies. The flowers, usually small, are arranged in spikes or globular heads at the axils of the leaves near the extremity of the branches. The corolla is bell or funnel shaped; stamens are numerous; the fruit is a dry unjointed pod. Several of the species yield gum-arabic and other gums; some have astringent barks and pods, used in tanning. Acacia Catechu, an Indian species, yields the valuable astringent called catechu; Acacia dealbata the wattle-tree of Australia, from five to ten metres in height, is the most beautiful and useful of the species found there. Its bark contains a large percentage of tannin, and is hence exported. Some species yield valuable timber; some are cultivated for the beauty of their flowers. Research Acacia
The Acanthaceae are a family of dicotyledonous herbaceous plants or shrubs with opposite leaves and mono-petalous corolla. There are around 1400 species, mostly tropical. Research Acanthaceae
Aloe is a genus of plants of the family Liliaceae. They are natives of Africa and other hot regions. The leaves are fleshy, thick and spinous at the edges. The flowers have a tubular corolla. Some species are a few centimeters tall, others grow to a height of more than ten metres. Research Aloe
Apocynaceae is a natural order of dicotyledonous plants, having for its type the genus Apocynum or dog-bane. The species have opposite or sometimes whorled leaves without stipules; the corolla monopetalous, hypogynous, and with the stamens inserted upon it; fruit two-celled. The plants yield a milky juice, which is generally poisonous; several yield caoutchouc, and a few edible fruits. The bark of several species is a powerful febrifuge. To the order belongs the periwinkle (Vinca). Research Apocynaceae
Auricula is a garden flower derived from the yellow Primula Auricula, found native in the Swiss Alps, and sometimes called bear's-ear from the shape of its leaves. It has for centuries been an object of cultivation by florists, who have succeeded in raising from seed a great number of beautiful varieties. Its leaves are obovate, entire or serrated, and fleshy, varying, however, in form in the numerous varieties. The flowers are borne on an erect umbel and central scape with involucre. The original colours of the corolla are yellow, purple, and variegated, and there is a mealy covering on the surface. Research Auricula
Bigonia is a genus of plants of many species, inhabitants of hot climates, natural order Bignoniacese. They are usually climbing shrubs furnished with tendrils; flowers mostly in terminal or axillary panicles; corolla trumpet-shaped, hence the name of trumpet-flower commonly given to these plants. All the species are splendid plants when in blossom, and many of them are cultivated in our gardens. Bignonia Leucoxylon, a native of Jamaica, is a tree about ten metres high; the leaves of ignonia Chica yield a red colouring matter, with which the Indians paint their bodies; Bignonia radicans, or Tecoma radicans, is a much-admired species. Research Bignonia
Black horehound (Ballota nigra) is a perennial European herb of the family Labiate with a short, stout, rhizome and erect or ascending, branched, square and leafy stems. The leaves are opposite, stalked, wrinkled and coarsely crenate-serrate. All the parts of the plant are hairy and have a strong, disagreeable smell and taste. The flowers are usually pinkish-purple, though sometimes white, and are arranged in numerous whorls in the upper leaf axils. The corolla has two lips; the upper lip is hooded, the lower lip has prominent white markings on it. The calyx is funnel-shaped with five veins and five broad spreading teeth which are curved back in the fruit which consists of four smooth one-seeded nutlets. Research Black Horehound
Borage (Borago officinalis) is an erect, bristly annual herb of the family Boraginaceae, native to southern Europe. It has stalked ovate to lanceolatebasal leaves, and stalkless, clasping upper leaves. The flowers are blue- coloured and carried in loose, arching sprays. The corolla has five, spreading, lanceolate, pointed lobes. Research Borage
Calamint is a plant of the genus Calamintha, of the family Labiatae. The plants are herbs or shrubs with dense whorls of purple-white or yellow flowers, with two-lipped corolla and four conniving stamens. Research Calamint
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Acacia
