peduncles, six to eight or more in a cluster. Spring. _l._ in
alternate fascicles, 2in. to 3in. long, spreading or recurved,
lanceolate, sinuato-serrate; spines deeply three-parted, slender
but rigid. _h._ 6ft. to 10ft. Nepaul, 1820. See Fig. 246. (B. M.
4656.)
=BERCHEMIA= (in honour of M. Berchem, a French botanist). ORD.
_Rhamnaceæ_. A genus of erect, or twining, deciduous, mostly greenhouse
shrubs. Flowers sub-umbellate, in the axils of the upper leaves,
or disposed in terminal panicles. Leaves alternate, many-nerved,
entire. The species mentioned below is probably the only one yet in
cultivation. It is quite hardy, will grow in any common soil, and
is well adapted for bowers or trellis-work. Propagated by ripened
cuttings, and slips of the root, planted under a hand glass; or by
layering the young shoots.
=B. volubilis= (twining).* _fl._ greenish-white; panicles small,
axillary and terminal. Drupe oblong, violaceous. June. _l._ oval,
mucronate, a little wavy. Branches smooth. Carolina, 1714. A
deciduous twiner. (G. G. 165.)
=BERGAMOT.= _See_ =Mentha odorata=.
=BERGERA= (named after C. J. Berger, a distinguished Danish botanist).
ORD. _Rutaceæ_. Interesting stove evergreen trees, now usually referred
to _Murraya_. Leaves impari-pinnate; leaflets alternate, acuminated,
pubescent. They thrive in a mixture of turfy loam and peat. Propagated
by ripened cuttings, taken off at a joint, and placed in sand, under a
hand glass, in bottom heat; or by layers.
=B. Kœnigi= (Konig's). _fl._ whitish-yellow, small; racemes many,
forming a corymb at the top of the branches. June. _l._, leaflets
serrated. _h._ 40ft. India, 1820. (L. B. C. 1019.)
=BERKHEYA= (named after M. J. L. de Berkhey, a Dutch botanist), ORD.
_Compositæ_. A genus of ornamental greenhouse or hardy thistle-like
herbs or shrubs. Flower-heads surrounded by a spiny involucre, the
scales of which are united at the base only; pappus of many flat,
obtuse, or pointed, scales. They are of easy cultivation in a sandy
loam soil. The perennials are increased by cuttings placed under a
glass; the herbaceous perennials usually by divisions of the plant in
spring. The species most frequently seen in English gardens is _B.
purpurea_.
[Illustration: FIG. 246. BERBERIS WALLICHIANA.]
=B. grandiflora= (large-flowered).* _fl.-heads_ yellow; scales
of involucre spiny toothed. July. _l._ opposite, lanceolate,
three-nerved, spiny toothed, downy beneath. _h._ 2ft. Cape of Good
Hope, 1812. Greenhouse evergreen. (B. M. 1844.)
=B. pinnata= (pinnate). _fl.-heads_ yellow; involucral scales
spine-pointed, entire or toothed. Autumn. _l._ oblong, woolly
beneath, deeply cut into lance-shaped segments. SYN. _Stobæa
pinnata_. (B. M. 1788.)
=B. purpurea= (purplish).* _fl.-heads_ numerous, pedunculate,
corymbose, circular, 3in. across, surrounded by an involucre of
spreading or reflexed linear oblong bracts. _l._, lower ones 15in.
to 18in. long, 2in. to 2-1/2in. wide, dark green, viscid above,
paler and cottony beneath. _h._ 3ft. South Africa. A very handsome,
hardy, herbaceous perennial. (G. C. 1872, p. 1261.) SYN. _Stobæa
purpurea_.
=B. uniflora= (one-flowered). _fl.-heads_ yellow; scales of
involucre spiny toothed. June. _l._ alternate, lanceolate,
three-nerved, spiny toothed, downy beneath. _h._ 3ft. Cape of Good
Hope, 1815. Greenhouse evergreen. (B. M. 2094.)
=BERMUDA CEDAR.= _See_ =Juniperus bermudiana=.
=BERRY.= A fleshy fruit, containing seeds.
=BERTHOLLETIA= (in honour of Louis Claude Berthollet, a celebrated
French chemist). Brazil Nut Tree. TRIBE Lecythideæ of ORD. _Myrtaceæ_.
_B. excelsa_ is a tall tree, having the young branches leafy at the
apex. Leaves alternate, oblong, quite entire, rather coriaceous. From
this Brazilian species are obtained the well-known Brazil or Para Nuts
of commerce. The tree is of no value for decorative purposes.
=BERTOLONIA= (named after A. Bertoloni, an Italian botanist, author of
"Rariorum Italiæ Plantarum Decades," &c.). ORD. _Melastomaceæ_. Elegant
little creeping or dwarf-growing stove plants, chiefly cultivated
for their exquisitely marked leaves. Flowers white or purple. Leaves
stalked, ovate-cordate, five to eleven-nerved, crenulated; cymes
corymbose, terminal. They thrive in a compost of equal parts peat,
leaf mould, and sand, in a warm, close, and moist atmosphere, but are
most successfully cultivated under a bell glass in the stove; in fact,
the latter is the only plan of growing them where a constantly humid
atmosphere cannot be otherwise obtained without such means. They are
easily propagated by cuttings or seeds.
=B. ænea= (coppery). _fl._ purple. _h._ 6in. Brazil.
=B. guttata= (spotted). _See_ =Gravesia=.
=B. maculata= (spotted).* _fl._ violet-purple; peduncles axillary,
bearing at the apex a short raceme of six to seven flowers. _l._
on long petioles, cordate, ovate, quite entire, pilose on both
surfaces and on the margins, five-nerved. Branches, petioles,
peduncles, and calyces hispid from long bristles. Stem rooting at
the base. Brazil, 1850. (B. M. 4551.)
=B. marmorata= (marbled).* _l._ 5in. to 8in. long, ovate-oblong,
hairy, five-nerved; upper side vivid bright green, beautifully
marked with irregular streaks of pure white; under surface of a
uniform rich purple. Stem fleshy. _h._ 6in. Brazil, 1858.
=B. pubescens= (downy).* _l._ ovate-acuminate, 3in. to 4in.
long, and 2in. to 3in. broad; bright light green, with a broad
chocolate-coloured band down the centre; upper surface clothed with
long white hairs. Ecuador.
=BERZELIA= (named in honour of Berzelius, a celebrated Swedish
chemist). ORD. _Bruniaceæ_. Very pretty little greenhouse evergreen
shrubs. Heads of flowers naked, with three bracts at the base of each;
usually crowded at the tops of the branches. Leaves short, somewhat
trigonal, imbricate or spreading. They require a mixture of peat, loam,
and sand, with thorough drainage and moderately firm potting. Young
cuttings root freely in sand, under a bell glass, in gentle heat.
=B. abrotanoides= (Abrotanum-like). _fl.-heads_ white, the size of
a filbert, terminal, crowded, sub-corymbose; bracts clavate, green,
smooth, ustulate at the apex. May to July. _l._ ovate, ustulate at
the apex, smooth, spreading, on short petioles. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Cape
of Good Hope, 1787. (L. B. C. 355.)
=B. lanuginosa= (woolly).* _fl.-heads_ white, about the size of
a pea, at the tops of lateral branches, disposed in a fastigiate
panicle; bracts spathulate, callose at the apex. June to August.
_l._ triquetrous, spreading, callose at the apex, rather hairy.
Branches erect, villous when young. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Cape of Good
Hope, 1774. (L. B. C. 572.)
=BESCHORNERIA= (in honour of H. Beschorner, a German botanist).
ORD. _Amaryllidaceæ_. Greenhouse evergreen succulents, allied to
_Littæa_ and _Fourcroya_. Perianth deeply six-parted; segments linear
spathulate, tubulose-connivent, often spreading at the point; stamens
six, about as long as the perianth. For culture, &c., _see_ =Agave= and
=Aloe=.
=B. bracteata= (bracteate). _fl._ at first green, turning
yellowish-red when mature; panicle 2ft. to 3ft. long; branches
many-flowered and corymbose, subtended by large scariose reddish
bracts. _l._ in a dense rosette, 12in. to 18in. long, thin,
glaucous green with scabrous margin. _h._ 5ft. to 6ft. Mexico. See
Fig. 247. (B. M. 6641.)
=B. Decosteriana= (Decoster's). _fl._ green, tinged with red,
pendulous, bracteate; panicle 2ft. to 3ft. long, inclined, with
numerous bracts. _l._ numerous, spreading, 18in. to 24in. long, by
1in. to 1-1/2in. broad; edges minutely serrulate. _h._ 8ft. Mexico,
about 1880.
=B. Tonelii= (Tonel's).* _fl._ tubular, 2-1/2in. long, drooping,
pedicellate, dark blood-red below and down the centre, the rest
very bright verdigris green; panicle 2ft. long, slender, inclined;
bracts several to each fascicle of flowers; scape 4ft. high,
red-purple. _l._ few, spreading, 15in. to 20in. long, by 2-1/2in.
broad, acuminate and keeled beneath towards the top, minutely
serrulate. Mexico, 1872. (B. M. 6091.)
[Illustration: FIG. 247. BESCHORNERIA BRACTEATA.]
=B. tubiflora= (tube-flowered). _fl._ greenish-purple, nutant,
fascicled, bracteate; fascicles remote, secund; scapes erect, long,
simple. May. _l._ radical, linear, channelled, recurved, spinosely
denticulate. _h._ 6ft. Mexico, 1845. (B. M. 4642.)
=B. yuccoides= (Yucca-like). _fl._ bright green, pendent, racemose,
with rich rosy-red bracts; scapes slender, coral-red, simple.
May and June. _l._ radical, thickish, lanceolate, acute, 1ft. to
1-1/2ft. long. _h._ 4ft. Mexico.
=BESLERIA= (named in honour of Basil Besler, an apothecary at
Nuremberg). SYN. _Eriphia_. ORD. _Gesneraceæ_. Very pretty stove
sub-shrubs, usually erect, branched. Peduncles axillary, few-flowered.
Leaves opposite, petiolate, thickish; nerves and veins very prominent
beneath. Stems sub-tetragonal. A light rich earth, or a mixture of
sand, loam, and peat, and a moist atmosphere, are necessary for
successful cultivation. Beslerias may be increased by cuttings, which
root readily in heat.
=B. coccinea= (scarlet-berried).* _fl._ yellow; peduncles axillary
bearing three to six flowers in an umbel at top; bracts two, at
the division of the common peduncle, orbicularly cordate, toothed,
scarlet. _l._ ovate, glabrous, stiff, a little toothed. Guiana,
1819. Climbing shrub. (A. G. 255.)
=B. cristata= (crested). _fl._, corolla yellowish, hairy outside;
peduncles axillary, solitary, one-flowered; bracts cordate,
toothed, sessile, scarlet. June. _l._ ovate, serrated. Guiana,
1739. Climbing shrub.
=B. grandiflora= (large-flowered).* _fl._ large, campanulate,
spotted with red; peduncles axillary, elongated, many-flowered.
_l._ ovate-oblong, acuminated, crenated, densely pilose above,
villous beneath, as well as on the branches. _h._ 3ft. Brazil.
=B. Imrayi= (Imray's). _fl._ rather small, yellow, in axillary
whorls. _l._ large, lanceolate, serrate, glabrous. Stems
quadrangular. Dominica, 1862. Herbaceous perennial. (B. M. 6341.)
=B. incarnata= (flesh-coloured-berried).* _fl._, corollas purplish;
tube very long, ventricose; lobes of limb reflexed, roundish,
unequal, fringed; peduncles axillary, solitary, one-flowered. _l._
oblong, crenated, tomentose on both surfaces. _h._ 2ft. Guiana,
1820. Herbaceous perennial.
=B. violacea= (purple-berried). _fl._ purple, small; corolla with
a curved tube and spreading limb; peduncles racemosely panicled,
terminal. Berry purple, edible. _l._ ovate, acute, quite entire,
stiff. Guiana, 1824. Climbing shrub. (A. G. 254.)
=BESOM=, or =BROOM=. Birch-brooms are best for garden purposes, and
are generally used. The most suitable for paved yards are those made
of the common Ling (_Calluna vulgaris_). Those made of bass fibres are
frequently used on paths, for which they are very suitable, but their
expensiveness prevents them being generally employed. Whatever material
is used in its composition, a Besom will last much longer if soaked in
water for some time before using.
=BESSERA= (in honour of Dr. Besser, Professor of Botany at Brody). ORD.
_Liliaceæ_. An elegant little half-hardy, Squill-like, bulbous plant,
from Mexico. Perianth bell-shaped, six-parted. Leaves narrow, linear.
It requires a compost of loam, leaf soil, peat, and sand, with good
drainage. If cultivated in pots, a plentiful supply of water must be
given from the commencement of growth until ripening off. When at rest,
however, it should be kept dry and cool, but secure from the effects of
frost. If planted out, a well-drained sunny position must be chosen,
such as close to the wall of a greenhouse with a southern aspect.
Propagation may be effected by offsets.
=B. elegans= (elegant).* _fl._ scarlet, or scarlet and white. July
to September. _l._ 1ft. to 2ft. long, narrow, furrowed on the upper
side. _h._ 2ft. Mexico, 1850. This is the only species. The colour
of the flowers varies considerably, on which account other names
have originated. (B. R. 25, 34.)
=BETA= (from _bett_, the Celtic word for red; in reference to the
colour of the Beet). Beetroot. ORD. _Chenopodiaceæ_. Perianth single,
half-inferior, five-cleft, persistent. Seed one, reniform, imbedded
in the fleshy base of the calyx. _B. Cicla_ is largely used as a
decorative plant in sub-tropical and other styles of gardening. They
require the same culture as the ordinary Beet. The other sorts, with
dark blood-red leaves, are largely employed in flower gardens, and the
roots utilised for culinary purposes. _See also_ =Beet=.
[Illustration: FIG. 248. BETA HORTENSIS METALLICA, or VICTORIA BEET.]
=B. Cicla= (Sicilian). _fl._ greenish, disposed in threes.
August. _l._ with very thick ribs. Roots scarcely any. _h._ 6ft.
Portugal, 1570. The variety, _B. c. variegata_, usually known
as the Chilian Beet, is a very handsome plant, having its leaves
often more than a yard in length and over 1ft. in diameter, with
a remarkably handsome variegation. The midribs are usually dark
orange or scarlet. It is a most desirable and effective plant for
sub-tropical gardening.
=B. hortensis metallica= (metallic). Victoria Beet. An ornamental
variety with glistening deep blood-red leaves. Useful for
decorative purposes in summer, either as a single specimen or in a
mass. Roots may also be used for cooking. See Fig. 248.
=B. maritima= (sea). _fl._ greenish, disposed in hairs. August.
_l._, lower ones rhomboid-ovoid, acute; upper ones lanceolate. Stem
diffuse. Root scarcely any. _h._ 1ft. Britain.
=B. vulgaris= (common). The Common Beetroot. _fl._ greenish,
clustered. August. _l._, lower ones ovate. Root fleshy. _h._ 4ft.
South Europe, 1548.
=BETCKEA.= _See_ =Plectritis=.
=BETEL=, or =BETLE=. _See_ =Piper Betle=.
=BETONICA.= This genus now forms a sub-division of _Stachys_ (which
_see_). Betony (_Stachys Betonica_) is a native herb formerly much used
in medicine, but now almost entirely discarded.
=BETONY.= _See_ =Stachys Betonica=.
=BETULA.= (according to some authorities, from _Betu_, its Celtic name;
others give the derivation of the word as from _batuo_, to beat, the
fasces of the Roman lictors, which were made of Birch rods, being used
to drive back the people). Birch. ORD. _Cupuliferæ_. TRIBE _Betuleæ_.
Ornamental, hardy (except where otherwise specified), deciduous trees
or shrubs, allied to _Alnus_, having round, slender, often drooping
branches, and the bark in most species in thin membranous layers.
The flowers appear at the same time as the leaves. Male catkins
cylindrical, lax, imbricated all round with ternate concave scales,
the middle one largest, ovate; corolla none; filaments ten to twelve,
shorter than the middle scale, to which they are attached. Female
catkins similar, but more dense; scales horizontal, peltate, dilated
outwards, three-lobed, three-flowered; corolla none. Nut oblong,
deciduous, winged at each side. The Betulas are easily cultivated in
any ordinary soil; but a light sandy loam suits them best. Most of the
species are best increased by seeds, which ripen in September, and need
to be dried, in order to prevent fermentation. They should be sown in
March, in a sandy soil, the surface of which has been previously made
perfectly level. They must be spread on the surface, and not covered
with soil, but pressed down with the feet. When grown in quantities,
beds 4ft. in width are preferred, with an alley of 1ft. between them.
In early summer, if the weather be warm and dry, the beds should be
shaded with branches. The young seedlings must be transplanted when
a year old. The dwarfer kinds may be propagated by layering in the
autumn. The numerous beautiful varieties are best increased by grafting
or budding upon seedling stocks of the common kinds, the former being
done in spring, and the latter in summer when the buds are ready.
Those most useful as forest trees and for protection are quick-growing
and very ornamental. The time of maturity of the Birch depends very
much upon the soil and situation, but it seldom increases in size
after it is thirty years old. The common species (_B. alba_) is one of
the hardiest and most useful trees in cultivation, growing quickly,
and withstanding exposure better than many others; consequently it
is invaluable for skirting and nursing more tender subjects, and is
especially desirable for clothing mountainous and exposed districts.
It is also very beautiful and picturesque. It is the commonest tree
throughout Russia, from the Baltic to the Eastern Sea, frequently
monopolising gigantic forests. In Italy, it forms excellent forests up
to 6000ft. altitude, and in our own Highlands of Scotland it occurs up
to a height of 2500ft. In Greenland, although much reduced in size, it
holds its own as the only arboreal vegetation.
[Illustration: FIG. 249. LEAVES AND CATKIN OF BETULA ALBA.]
=B. alba= (white).* Silver, White, or Common Birch. _fl._ whitish.
February and March. _fr._ brown, ripe in September and October.
_l._ ovate, acute, somewhat deltoid, unequally serrated; autumnal
tints rich yellow, scarlet, or red. A diminutive shrub in the
extreme north, but a tree from 50ft. to 60ft. high in the middle
regions. Britain. A most beautiful and invaluable forest tree, with
a large number of varieties. See Fig. 249.
=B. a. alba-purpurea= (white and purple).* _l._ rich purple above,
with a lustrous metallic hue, pale beneath. Branches with a
sub-pendulous disposition. A very effective variety.
=B. a. dalecarlica= (Dalecarlian).* _l._ deeply pinnatifid, with
the lobes toothed.
=B. a. foliis-variegatis= (variegated-leaved).* _l._ blotched with
yellowish white.
=B. a. laciniata pendula= (pendulous and laciniate).* _l._ rather
larger than the typical form, deeply laciniated, deep green, and
decidedly pendulous. It appears there are two forms of this, but
that known as Young's variety is the best.
=B. a. macrocarpa= (large-fruited).* Female catkins twice as long
as those of the type.
=B. a. pendula= (pendulous).* A well-known tree, distinct from the
species in having the shoots more slender, smoother, and pendulous.
=B. a. pontica= (pontic). _l._ somewhat larger than in the species,
and the plant of more robust growth. (W. D. B. 2, 94.)
=B. a. pubescens= (downy). _l._ covered with hairs.
=B. a. urticifolia= (nettle-leaved).* _l._ deeply laciniated,
serrated, and hairy. Several others, reputed as distinct, are mere
forms of the typical _B. alba_.
=B. Bhojpattra= (Bhojpattra).* _fl._, female catkins erect,
cylindrical, oblong; bracts smooth, woody, two-parted, blunt,
much longer than the fruit, which has narrow wings. May. _l._
oblong-acute, with nearly simple serratures, somewhat cordate at
the base; their stalks, veins, and twigs hairy; the bark is of a
pale cinnamon colour. _h._ 50ft. Himalayas, 1840. This requires a
sheltered position.
=B. carpinifolia= (Hornbeam-leaved). Synonymous with _B. lenta_.
=B. daurica= (Daurian).* _fl._, catkins whitish-brown, larger than
those of the common Birch. February and March. _l._ ovate, narrow
at the base, quite entire, unequally dentate, glabrous; scales of
the strobiles ciliated on their margins; side lobes roundish. _h._
30ft. to 40ft. Siberia, 1786. The variety _parvifolia_ has smaller
leaves than the type.
=B. excelsa= (tall). Synonymous with _B. lutea_.
=B. fruticosa= (shrubby).* _fl._ whitish-brown; female catkins
oblong. February and March. _l._ roundish-ovate, nearly equally
serrated, glabrous. _h._ 5ft. to 6ft. in moist situations, but much
higher on mountains. Eastern Siberia, 1818. (W. D. B. 2, 154.)
=B. glandulosa= (glandular).* _fl._ whitish; female catkins oblong.
May. _l._ obovate, serrate, quite entire at the base, glabrous,
almost sessile; branches beset with glandular dots, glabrous. _h._
2ft. Canada, 1816. A handsome little shrub. (F. D. 2583.)
=B. lenta= (pliant). _fl._ greenish-white. May to June. _l._
cordate, ovate, acutely serrated, acuminate; petioles and nerves
hairy beneath; scales of the strobiles smooth, having the side
lobes obtuse, equal, with prominent veins. _h._ 60ft. to 70ft.
Canada to Georgia, 1759. SYN. _B. carpinifolia_. (W. D. B. 2, 144.)
=B. lutea= (yellow).* _fl._ greenish-white. May. _l._ 3-1/2in.
long, and 2-1/2in. broad, ovate, acute, serrated; petioles
pubescent, shorter than the peduncles; young shoots and leaves, at
their unfolding, downy, but ultimately quite glabrous, except the
petiole, which remains covered with fine short hairs; scales of the
strobiles having the side lobes roundish. _h._ 70ft. to 80ft. Nova
Scotia, 1767. SYN. _B. excelsa_.
=B. nana= (dwarf).* _fl._ whitish-green; catkins erect, stalked,
cylindrical, obtuse; the barren ones lateral, and the fertile
ones terminal; scales of the latter three-lobed, three-flowered,
permanent. April and May. _l._ orbicular, crenate, reticulated with
veins beneath. _h._ 1ft. to 3ft. Scotland, Lapland, Sweden, Russia,
&c. A shrub with numerous branches, slightly downy when young, and
beset with numerous little, round, firm, smooth, sharply crenated
leaves, beautifully reticulated with veins, especially beneath; and
furnished with short footstalks, having a pair of brown lanceolate
stipules at their base. There is also a pretty variety named
_pendula_, with drooping branches.
=B. nigra= (black).* The Black Birch. _fl._ greenish-white; female
catkins straight, and nearly cylindrical, about 2in. long. May.
_l._ rhomboid-ovate, doubly serrated, acute, pubescent beneath,
entire at the base; scales of the strobiles villose; segments
linear, equal. _h._ 60ft. to 70ft. New Jersey to Carolina, 1736.
SYN. _B. rubra_. (W. D. B. 2, 153.)
=B. papyracea= (papery).* _fl._ greenish-white; female catkins on
long footstalks, drooping; scales having the side lobes short,
somewhat orbiculate. May to June. _l._ ovate, acuminate, doubly
serrate; veins hairy beneath; petiole glabrous; the branches are
much less flexible than those of the common Birch, and are more
ascending. _h._ 60ft. to 70ft. North America, 1750. (W. D. B. 2,
152.)
=B. p. fusca= (brown). _l._ smaller than those of the type, and
less downy.
=B. p. platyphylla= (broad-leaved).* _l._ very broad.
=B. p. trichoclada= (hairy-branched).* _l._ cordate. Branches
extremely hairy, and twigs in threes.
=B. populifolia= (Poplar-leaved).* _fl._ greenish-white. April,
May. _l._ deltoid, much acuminated, unequally serrated, quite
smooth; scales of the strobiles having roundish side lobes;
petioles glabrous. _h._ 30ft. Canada, 1750. This species, although
very closely resembling _B. alba_, grows with less vigour, and does
not attain so large a size. (W. D. B. 2, 151.)
=B. p. laciniata= (laciniated).* _l._ large, shining, and deeply
cut.
=B. p. pendula= (pendulous).* Spray drooping, like that of _B. alba
pendula_.
=B. pumila= (dwarf).* _fl._ whitish; female catkins cylindrical.
May and June. _l._ roundish ovate, on long footstalks, densely
clothed with hairs on the under surface. Branches pubescent,
dotless. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Canada, 1762. A very beautiful kind,
suitable for furnishing large rockeries, or planting on hill sides,
or rocky ground. (W. D. B. 2, 97.)
=B. rubra= (red).* Synonymous with _B. nigra_.
=BETULEÆ.= A tribe of deciduous shrubs or trees. Perianth none, or
bract-like; flowers monœcious, in catkins, in twos or threes. Fruit,
a dry, compressed, lenticular, often winged, indehiscent nut. Leaves
alternate, simple, stipulated. The genera are _Alnus_ and _Betula_.
=BI.= In compound words, this signifies twice.
=BIANCEA SCANDENS.= _See_ =Cæsalpinia sepiaria=.