Earth-Nut, Earth-Pea

Little-used names for the peanut, goober or pinder, Arachis hypogaea. The words earth-nut and ground-nut are used for many subterranean tubers, without much discrimination, and therefore they have small value as vernaculars. They may be applied to the underground tubers of Apios tuberosa, Panax trifolium, Erigenia bulbosa, Cyperus esculentus, and others. Earth-apple, earth-gall and similar variants are in use for various plants.

Eatonia

: Sphenopholis.

Ebony

: Diospyros Ebenum.

Echinospermum

: Lappula. J. N. RoSE.†

Edelweiss

: Leontopodium.

Edraianthus

: Wahlenbergia. By some kept distinct, to include about a dozen species. Spelled also Hedraeanthus.

Eel-Grass

: Vallisneria spiralis.

Eglantine

: Rosa rubiginosa; also applied to Rubus Eglan-teria, Rosa Eglanleria, and perhaps Lonicera Periclymenum.

Egyptian Lotus

: Nymphaea Lotus; also NelumUum.

Elaeococca

: Aleurites cordata.

Elder And Elderberry

: Sambucus.

Elephant's Foot

: Testudinaria.

Eleutherine

(Greek free, referring to the stamens). Iridaceae. Two or three species in the W. Indies and S. Amer., perhaps forms of one; bulbous plants of warmhouse cultivation, allied to Cipura and Ixia: flowers white, several on a naked scape, the perianth-tube none and the segments obovate and spreading; stamens attached to base of perianth-segments, the filaments short and free; ovary oblong, 3-celled; style very short, 3-branched: leaves long, radical. E. plicata, Herb. (Galatea plicata, Salisb.), has a large ovoid bulb: root-leaves 1-2, linear to linear-lanceolate, plicate, 18 in. or less long: scape 6-12 in. high; perianth white, 1 in. or less diam., not lasting: something the general habit of Babiana. B.M. 655 (as Marica plicata).

Eleutherococcus

: Acanthopanax.

Elisma

(suggested from Alisma). Alismaceae. One species in W. Eu., sometimes grown in water-gardens. It is known also as Alisma (p. 246, Vol. I) but has been separated from that genus because of its floating rather than erect habit, sub-solitary flowers, and character of the ovules. E. natans, Buch., is a slender perennial, with the stems and developed ovate or oblong leaves floating: radical leaves of the original tuft represented by a leaf - stalk which is only slightly or not at all widened at the top, every succeeding node producing the floating leaves and roots: flowers 1-3 or 5, large, white, with 3 broad obtuse petals: carpels forming a globular head, each with many slender ribs: summer. Of easy cultivation.

L. H. B

Elm

: Ulmus.

Elodes

: Hypericum.

Encholirion

: Vriesia.

Enchylaiena

(name alludes to the soft or juicy character of the berry-like fructification). Cheno-podiacese. One procumbent or wide-branched very small-leaved shrub from Austral, recently introduced by U. S. Dept. Agric, and thriving well at the University of California. E. tomentosa, R. Br., grows 3 ft. or more high and makes a mass many feet across: branches mostly woolly or silvery: leaves alternate, linear, usually under 1/2in., long: flowers solitary in the axils, bracted, very small, perfect; perianth urn-shaped to globular, with

5 short teeth that close over the fruit; stamens 5, somewhat exserted: fruit inclosed in the perianth, which becomes red or yellow, fleshy and berry-like and the size of a small pea. The Australian aborigines are said to eat the berries in great quantities. The plant endures drought, and it is eaten by sheep when other herbage becomes scarce. The procumbent habit and the enduring color suggest its use in landscape work in dry mild climates.