Читать книгу The Illustrated Dictionary of Gardening, Division 1; A to Car - Various - Страница 7

FIG. 10. FLOWER OF ACERAS ANTHROPOPHORA.

A. anthropophora (The Green Man Orchis). fl. greenish, on a long spike, lip longer than the ovary; lip and petals often margined with red. June. l. lanceolate. h. 1ft. See Fig. 10.

ACERATIUM (from a, not, and keras, a horn; the stamens being destitute of the terminal bristles so conspicuous in its near ally, Elæocarpus). ORD. Tiliaceæ. An interesting stove evergreen tree, very closely allied to Tilia. It thrives well in a mixture of loam and peat, and is increased by ripe cuttings, which root readily if placed in sand, under a hand glass, in heat.

A. oppositifolium (opposite-leaved).* fl. white, on terminal three-flowered peduncles. June. l. opposite, elliptic-oblong, furnished with a few mucronated teeth. h. 20ft. Amboyna, 1818.

ACEROSE, ACEROSUS. Needle-pointed, fine, and slender, with a sharp point.

ACETARIOUS. An adjective applied to plants used in salads.

ACEUS. A termination expressing a resemblance to the thing whose name it terminates—foliaceus, leaf-like, of the texture of a leaf or folium.

ACHANIA. See Malvaviscus.

ACHENE. A hard, dry, one-seeded, superior seed-vessel.

ACHERONTIA ATROPOS. See Sphinx Atropos.

ACHILLEA (named after Achilles, who is said to have first discovered the medicinal qualities of this plant). Including Ptarmica. Milfoil. ORD. Compositæ. A large genus (about fifty species), containing numerous hardy, border and alpine plants. Flower-heads small, corymbose; involucral scales oblong, often with a shrivelled appearance; receptacle with membranous scales, resembling chaff; ray florets few, sometimes rather large and showy; pappus none. Leaves ternate, simple or compound. All the species are easily cultivated in ordinary garden soil. A. Eupatorium and other large-growing kinds are well suited for borders or groups, whilst the alpine section should be planted on the rockery. A great number of species, although excellent for naturalising in rough shrubberies, are totally unfitted for garden culture. Propagated, during spring, by root divisions, cuttings, and seeds.

A. ægyptiaca (Egyptian).* fl.-heads rich bright yellow, in closely packed terminal corymbs, which are from 2in. to 4in. across. Summer. l. pinnate; leaflets obtusely lanceolate, serrate, silvery white, 6in. to 8in. long. h. 1½ft. to 2½ft. Levant, 1640. Handsome perennial, thriving best in a warm position.

A. Ageratum (ageratum-leaved).* fl.-heads pure white, large, borne singly on stalks about 6in. or 8in. high. Summer. l. narrow, arranged in a dense silvery rosette, the margins prettily crimped. Greece. A pretty alpine, of compact habit.

A. asplenifolia (asplenium-leaved).* fl.-heads rose-coloured, small, in a compound corymb. June to September. l. lower ones stalked, pinnatifid, lobes pinnate; upper ones pinnate. h. 18in. North America, 1803.

A. atrata (black-cupped).* fl.-heads white. August. l. in a rosette, pinnatifid, deep shining green. Austria, 1596. A pretty alpine.

A. aurea (golden-flowered).* fl.-heads golden yellow, borne singly on stems 18in. high. Summer and autumn. l. larger than in A. ageratifolia, with which species it is sometimes confused. Levant, 1739. Habit tufted. Requires a warm position.

FIG. 11. ACHILLEA CLAVENNæ, showing Habit and detached Flower-heads.

A. Clavennæ (Clavenna's).* fl.-heads white, in neat and compact heads. Spring and summer. l. bipinnatifid; segments linear, obtuse, slightly denticulated at the apex. h. 10in. Austria, 1656. A very neat and pretty species, having dwarf tufted habit and a hoary appearance. See Fig. 11.

A. decolorans (staining). fl.-heads whitish yellow. July. l. undivided. h. 1ft. Native country unknown. 1798.

FIG. 12. ACHILLEA EUPATORIUM, showing Habit and detached Flower-head.

A. Eupatorium (fern-leaved).* fl.-heads brilliant yellow, in dense convex, compound corymbs, which are often 5in. across, lasting two months in full beauty. June to September. l. numerous, linear, pinnate, lobed and serrated, hairy, rough. h. 4ft. to 5ft. Caucasus, 1803. This noble plant should be grown at the back of the border, and kept neatly staked. SYN. A. filipendula. See Fig. 12.

A. filipendula (dropwort-leaved). Synonymous with A. Eupatorium.

A. Herba-rota (Herba-rota).* fl.-heads white, in lax corymbs, on slender stems. May. l. lanceolate, serrated. h. 6in. France, 1640. When touched, this pretty little plant gives off an agreeable aromatic perfume. To attain full beauty it requires sandy loam and a sunny position.

A. macrophylla (large-leaved). fl.-heads white. July. l. long and broad pinnate; leaflets horizontal. h. 3ft. Italy, 1810.

A. Millefolium roseum (rosy).* fl.-heads rose-coloured, in small ovoid heads, which are produced continuously for several months. l. strap-shaped; segments very narrow. h. 1ft. to 3ft. England. It is well worth growing, both as a border plant, and for cutting purposes.

A. mongolica (Mongolian). fl.-heads white. July. l. undivided. h. 1½ft. Siberia, 1818.

A. moschata (musky).* fl.-heads white, in lax corymbs. June. h. 6in. l. bright green, about 2in. long, pinnatifid. Italy, 1775. A pretty tufted alpine.

A. nana (dwarf). fl.-heads white. June to August. l. pinnate; leaflets horizontal. h. 6in. Italy, 1759. A rockery species.

A. odorata (sweet-scented). fl.-heads white, fragrant. June to August. l. bipinnate. h. 6in. Spain, 1729.

A. pectinata (comb-leaved).* fl.-heads white. June. l. bright green, about 2in. long, pinnatifid. Italy, 1775. A pretty tufted alpine.

A. Ptarmica flore-pleno (double sneezewort).* fl.-heads pure white, freely produced in terminal corymbs. All through the summer and autumn. l. lanceolate, serrulate. h. 1ft. to 2ft. England. This is one of the most useful white border perennials grown, increasing very readily. When out of flower the stems should be cut down to the surface.

A. santolinoides (lavender-cotton-like). fl.-heads white. July. l. pinnate; leaflets transverse. h. 1ft. Spain.

A. serrata (serrated).* fl.-heads clear white, large, in small corymbose clusters, forming a somewhat spreading panicle. Summer. l. white, with adpressed hairs, sessile, lanceolate, deeply serrated. h. 15in. Switzerland, 1686.

FIG. 13. ACHILLEA TOMENTOSA, showing Habit and detached Portion of Inflorescence.

FIG. 14. ROOT OF THE ACHIMENE,

showing Tubercles.

A. tomentosa (downy).* fl.-heads bright yellow, in repeatedly compound corymbs. Summer. l. woolly, bipinnatifid; segments linear, acute. h. 8in. to 12in. Europe. One of the best yellow-flowered species for the rock garden, having a dense habit. See Fig. 13.

A. umbellata (umbel-flowered).* fl.-heads white, six to eight in a simple umbel. June. l. regularly lobed; lobes obovate, entire; clothed with a dense, silvery pubescence, on which account the plant is chiefly cultivated. h. 4in. to 5in. Greece. A very pretty, dwarf rock plant.

A. vallesiaca (Vallesian). fl.-heads white. June to August. l. pinnate; leaflets horizontal. h. 1ft. Switzerland, 1819.

ACHIMENES (from cheimaino, to suffer from cold; alluding to the general tenderness of the species). Including Scheeria. ORD. Gesneraceæ. A large genus of handsome, stove or warm greenhouse, branched, generally hairy, herbaceous perennials, with scaly, catkin-like stolons underground (see Fig. 14), and sometimes from the axils of the leaves. Corolla funnel-shaped; tube rather oblique, gibbous behind at the base; pedicels one-flowered, axillary, solitary or fasciculated, bracteated. Leaves opposite, or three in a whorl, serrated.

FIG. 15. BOUQUET OF VARIOUS ACHIMENES.

To be successfully cultivated, they must be started and grown in stove heat till they commence flowering, when they may be removed to the conservatory or greenhouse, there to remain till after flowering. Batches of tubercles should be started in heat from February till the end of April, so as to give a succession of blossom. Shake each variety out of the old compost and insert separately in light, sandy soil; water sparingly at first, but when active they may receive more frequent supplies. When the shoots are about 2in. high, the tubercles may be transplanted to the pots, pans, or baskets in which it is intended to grow them, using as potting compost fibrous peat and leaf-soil in equal proportions, with about a sixth part of sheep's or rotten cow manure, and sufficient silver sand to make the whole porous and of a whitish appearance. Thorough drainage is indispensable, and a layer of the rougher soil, or sphagnum, should be placed over the potsherds, to prevent the loose soil stopping the drainage. Place the pans as near the glass as possible, and shade from bright sunshine. Give liberal supplies of water, with occasional doses of liquid manure; and, as the shoots lengthen, they may be pinched, to induce sturdy growth and a larger number of flowering branches. Place neat stakes to each stem, and keep well tied, arranging the stakes as symmetrically as possible, so as to ensure an even outline, but do not allow them to be seen. Light syringing with clear water, morning and evening, is beneficial. After the plants have done flowering, they should gradually have less water as the foliage and stems decay; a light airy situation is needed to mature and ripen the tubers. When the tops are quite dead, they may be removed, and the pots stored on the sides in any warm dry corner where the temperature will not fall below 50deg., keeping the plants quite dry until the time of starting again. Achimenes are liable to attacks of thrips, red-spider, and green-fly, especially if the atmosphere is kept dry; these are easily destroyed by fumigation with tobacco. This must only be done when the foliage is quite dry, otherwise the plants will suffer. Achimenes are especially beautiful when well arranged, especially if two or three varieties are mixed together, as white, red, and purple (Fig. 15). There are several methods of increasing these:—(1) By cuttings; these need not be cut off at a joint, as they will root from any portion of the stem. Insert them thickly in well-drained pots of sandy soil—say a mixture of equal parts of peat and sand—and place in bottom heat. (2) By leaves, which should be severed from the stems, and pricked in pots of similar soil to the cuttings, placing all the petiole below the surface; stand the pots in bottom heat. (3) By scales from the corms, which should be carefully rubbed off and sown, like seeds, in pots or pans of the same compost, barely covered with sand, and placed in bottom heat. (4) By seeds, which are very small, and, consequently, require to be carefully sown. The pans must be thoroughly drained and filled nearly to the rim, levelled, and well watered with a fine rose, after which the seed should be thinly scattered, covered very lightly with sand, and placed in a shady position. Keep nicely moist, and apply water very lightly, or the tiny germs will be disturbed. Place a sheet of glass over the seed-pans. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, they may be pricked off and afterwards treated like rooted cuttings. The best time for all modes of propagating is early spring.

FIG. 16. FLOWER OF ACHIMENES LONGIFLORA.

A. atrosanguinea (dark-crimson).* fl. crimson; tube of corolla 1½.in. long, cylindrical, saccate at base, pilose; limb small, spreading; peduncle one-flowered. July, August. l. pilose, oblong, sub-cordate, serrated, unequal. h. 1½ft. Guatemala, 1848.

A. candida (white).* fl. white; tube of corolla gibbous at base; limb oblique, the front segment largest; peduncles axillary, pilose, three-flowered. June. l. unequal, oblique at base, serrated, pilose. h. 1½ft. Guatemala, 1848.

A. coccinea (scarlet).* fl. scarlet; peduncles solitary, axillary. August. l. three in a whorl, ovate, acuminated, serrated, with minute leaves in the axils. h. 1½ft. Jamaica, 1778.

A. cupreata (coppery). fl. scarlet; calyx spotted inside, with a fringed mouth; petals ciliately toothed; peduncles one-flowered. April. l. elliptic, serrated, wrinkled, coloured. h. 6in. Mexico, 1845. Plant creeping, downy.

A. gloxiniæflora (gloxinia-flowered).* fl. whitish, large, axillary; tube of corolla 2in. long; limb broad, spreading; lobes finely serrated, dotted with purple inside. June. l. serrated from middle to top. Stem slender, flexuous. h. 1ft. Mexico, 1845.

A. grandiflora (large-flowered).* fl. violet purple, very large, solitary, axillary; limbs of corolla spreading. June. l. equal, ovate, oblique at base, sparingly serrated. h. 1½ft. Mexico, 1842.

A. heterophylla (various-leaved). fl. solitary or twin; corolla scarlet; lobes ciliated. July. l. opposite, one smaller than the other, cordate ovate, acuminated, coarsely serrated. h. 1ft. Mexico. Plant rather hairy.

A. hirsuta (hairy). fl. reddish, with yellow eye; limb of corolla flat, with rounded serrulate segments; peduncles one-flowered. July. l. cordate, serrated. h. 2½ft. Stem bulbiferous. Guatemala, 1842. Plant hairy.

A. Kleei (Klee's).* fl. lilac; corolla dark near the mouth, with a dash of yellow in the throat; calyx downy; peduncles one-flowered. August. l. ovate, acuminate, serrated. h. 6in. Guatemala, 1848. Plant hairy.

A. longiflora (long-flowered).* fl. violet; segments of calyx lanceolate, erect; corolla with a long tube, and an ample spreading limb; pedicels one-flowered. July and August. l. three to four in a whorl, ovate or oblong, coarsely serrated. h. 1ft. Guatemala, 1841. Plant hairy. See Fig. 16.

A. multiflora (many-flowered).* fl. pale lilac; sepals linear; corolla funnel-shape; tube curved; lobes roundish, lower one fringed; peduncles axillary, three to five-flowered. August. l. opposite, or three in a whorl, ovate, deeply and doubly serrated. h. 1ft. Brazil, 1843. Plant hairy.

A. ocellata (eye-spotted).* fl. reddish yellow, with dark spots, solitary, drooping; petals nearly equally spotted. Autumn. l. on longish petioles, ovate, acuminate, serrated, wrinkled, coloured beneath. h. 1½ft. 1845. Plant hairy.

A. patens (spreading). fl. violet, blue; calyx downy; tube of corolla shorter than limb, which is spreading. June. l. ovate, acuminate, hispid above, serrate. h. 1ft. Mexico, 1845.

A. pedunculata (long-stalked).* fl. scarlet, with yellow eye; corolla drooping, gibbous at base; peduncles in the axils of the upper leaves. July. l. rather unequal, obliquely cordate, ovate, serrated. h. 2ft. Stem simple, downy. Guatemala, 1840.

A. picta (painted).* fl. scarlet, with yellow eye; tube of calyx turbinate; lobes of corolla roundish, three lower ones smallest; peduncles solitary or two-flowered, axillary one-flowered. July. l. opposite, or three in a whorl, cordate-ovate, coarsely serrated, velvety, and elegantly painted. h. 1½ft. Mexico, 1843.

A. rosea (rosy). fl. rose, pilose; limb of corolla equal to tube; peduncles filiform, many-flowered. June. l. sometimes three in a whorl, pilose. h. 1½ft. Guatemala, 1848.

The foregoing are the most important species known. Hybrid varieties are innumerable, and even surpass the species in beauty, the best of which are enumerated below in their respective colours.

Blue and Purple Flowered. ADVANCE,* flowers reddish-purple, lighter at the eye, dwarf, and free habit; ARGUS,* rich plum, with deep orange eye, large and free; DR. BUENZOD,* flowers rich crimson purple, spotted with orange in the centre, very free; EXCELSIOR, rich violet-purple, very large and free, with compact habit; GEM,* flowers small, of good form, rich carmine-purple; GIBSONI,* flowers very large, clear mauve, with the tube white outside; GRANDIS, rich violet purple, with large orange eye, carmine shaded, a charming variety; LADY SCARSDALE,* flowers of fair size, very free, rich plum purple, shaded carmine; LONGIFLORA MAJOR,* a stronger grower than the type, freely producing large rich blue flowers, one of the finest varieties grown; MADAME GEORGE, deep purple shaded crimson; MAUVE QUEEN,* flowers very large, of a distinct mauve, with a brownish eye-shade, very profuse, with a grand habit, one of the best; PURPUREA ELEGANS,* deep claret purple, orange throat with dark spots, a very attractive variety; ROLLISONII,* flowers large, deep lavender-blue, yellow throat, spotted with deep crimson, very effective; VIVICANS,* dark carmine-purple, with crimson eye, a few blue rays streaking from the eye, habit good, and very free.

Crimson and Scarlet Flowered. AURORA,* rich rosy-scarlet, with yellow throat, very large, fully 2in. across; CARL WOOLFORTH,* deep crimson, shaded lighter at the eye, very free; DAZZLE, flowers small, brilliant scarlet, pale yellow eye, very pretty and free; DIADEM,* crimson lake, shaded carmine, with deep yellow eye; ECLIPSE,* rich orange-scarlet, spotted with carmine, extremely floriferous, with a good habit; FIREFLY,* deep carmine red, golden eye, spotted with crimson, one of the best; HARRY WILLIAMS,* bright cerise red, yellow, maroon spotted, the edge prettily fringed, a very charming variety; LOVELINESS, rich magenta crimson, golden eye, spotted with maroon; METEOR, flowers rather large, bright crimson-scarlet, yellow eye, spotted carmine, very dwarf and free; SCARLET PERFECTION,* rich carmine-scarlet, deep orange eye, very beautiful; SIR TREHERN THOMAS,* deep crimson-lake, very profuse, with a good habit; STELLA, deep magenta, with orange eye, the margins fringed, very large and free, 2in. or more across; WILLIAMSII,* flowers large, stout, brilliant scarlet, orange throat, habit dwarf and free-branching, one of the finest varieties grown.

Orange-Flowered. GEORGIANA DISCOLOR, flowers large, bright orange, with a distinct yellow centre; HENDERSONI,* rich orange-salmon, with yellow eye; MAGNET,* deep orange, spotted with crimson, with a distinct carmine zone, a very free-flowering and beautiful variety; PARSONSI* is a decided improvement upon the last.

Rose-Flowered. ADMIRATION, deep rose, white throat, spotted with carmine; CARMINIATA SPLENDENS,* bright rose yellow, spotted in the centre, a charming variety; LEOPARD, bright magenta rose, freely spotted at the throat; LONGIFLORA ROSA,* rich lilac rose, deeper in centre, of medium size, very free and dwarf; MASTERPIECE,* deep rose, violet shaded, with a distinct white throat; Pink Perfection,* rich rose, the eye rich carmine and violet rayed, one of the best; ROSEA MAGNIFICA,* bright rose, with a yellow eye, very finely spotted, a very lovely variety; ROSE QUEEN,* flowers very large, rich rosy-lake, shaded deep purple, with a well defined orange throat; UNIQUE,* rosy-pink, deep yellow eye, spotted crimson, a very charming variety.

White-Flowered. AMBROSE VERSCHAFFELT,* flowers of good size, pure white, with a dark rayed centre; LONGIFLORA ALBA,* similar in form and habit to Longiflora, but with large white flowers, slightly marked in the centre; MADAME A. VERSCHAFFELT,* flowers large, pure white ground, heavily veined with purple, a very attractive variety; MARGARETTA,* flowers of medium size, pure white, and destitute of any markings whatever.

ACHLAMYDEOUS. Without floral envelope.

ACHRAS. See Sapota.

ACHYRANTHES. See Chamissoa and Iresine.

ACHYRONIA. Included under Priestleya (which see).

ACHYROPAPPUS. Included under Schkuhria (which see).

ACICULAR. Needle-shaped.

ACINETA (from akineta, immovable; the lip being jointless). ORD. Orchideæ. A small genus of cool house, robust, sub-terrestrial orchids allied to Peristeria. Flowers sub-globose, fleshy, arranged on stout, pendulous racemes. Leaves lanceolate, membranous, ribbed. Pseudo-bulbs angular, about as large as hens' eggs. The compost should consist of equal parts of fibrous peat and living sphagnum. In planting, first place a somewhat thick layer of the moss all round the inside of the basket, and press the soil firmly round the plant. During the growing season, the baskets should be taken down twice or three times a week and dipped into a tub of water, so that the whole may become saturated. In addition, the plants should be sprinkled with the syringe morning and evening, for they delight in an abundant supply of water and plenty of shade. When the growth is finished, they must be kept very dry, an occasional syringing, to keep the leaves from shrivelling, being all that is necessary.

A. Arcei (Arce's). fl. yellow. Central America, 1866.

A. Barkeri (Barker's).* fl. yellow and dark crimson, on stout scapes, produced from the base of the bulbs, and bearing fifteen to thirty fragrant flowers. Midsummer. l. broadly lanceolate, 2ft. long. Pseudo-bulbs 5in. to 7in. long. Mexico, 1837. SYN. Peristeria Barkeri.

A. chrysantha (yellow-flowered).* fl. yellow, white, and crimson, fragrant; lower part of the lip having a blunt, papillose horn; racemes erect. May. h. 2ft. Mexico, 1850.

A. densa (dense-flowered).* fl. sub-globose, and of a waxy consistence, lemon-yellow, dotted brown, sweet-scented; racemes rather short. Costa Rica, 1849. A robust-growing species, very like A. Barkeri. SYN. A. Warczewiczii.

A. Humboldtii (Humboldt's).* fl. straw-colour, dotted with brown; scapes 2ft. long. May. l. broadly lanceolate, generally four. Columbia, 1872. A handsome species, but the flowers speedily fade. SYNS. Anguloa superba, Peristeria Humboldtii fulva.

A. sulcata (grooved). fl. bright yellow. Columbia, 1879. Very like the last species, from which it differs in mere botanical detail.

A. Warczewiczii (Warczewicz's). A synonym of A. densa.

ACINOS. See Calamintha.

ACIOTIS (from akis, a point, and ous, an ear; in allusion to the shape of the petals). ORD. Melastomaceæ. A small genus of pretty, stove, evergreen plants. Flowers small; panicles slender, loose, terminal; petals four, obliquely awned at the apex. Leaves thin, membranous. For culture, see Melastoma..

A. aquatica (water-loving). fl. white, small, on loose, terminal, filiform panicles. June. l. cordate, ovate-oblong. h. 6in. to 12in. South America, 1793. The pots in which this species is grown should be kept in pans of water.

A. discolor (various-coloured).* fl. small, red, in spicate racemes. l. petiolate, elliptic-oblong, purple beneath, deep shining green above. h. 1ft. Trinidad, 1816.

ACIPHYLLA (from ake, a point, and phyllon, a leaf, referring to the sharply pointed segments of the leaf). ORD. Umbelliferæ. A genus of curious and remarkable erect hardy perennials, with densely fascicled, spicate, or panicled umbels of flowers; and pinnate or bi-tripinnate leaves. They are most suited for the rockwork, in a light sandy soil. Propagated by seeds or divisions in spring.

A. Colensoi (Colenso's).* fl. white. This extraordinary evergreen forms a circular bush, 5ft. or 6ft. in. diameter, of bayonet-like spines, having flowering stems 6ft. to 9ft. high, covered with spreading spinous leaflets. New Zealand, 1875.

A. squarrosa (rough-headed).* fl. white. h. 6ft. to 9ft. New Zealand. More frequently met with than the preceding, of very dense growth. Commonly known as the Bayonet Plant.

ACIS (named after Acis, shepherd of Sicily, son of Faunus and the nymph Simæthis). ORD. Amaryllidaceæ. A genus of very pretty dwarf bulbous plants, suitable for the rockery, in sunny sheltered situations. This genus was formerly included with Leucojum, from which it is distinguished by its dwarf slender habit, filiform style, and membranous capsule. All are delicate little plants, with narrow linear leaves and bell-shaped flowers. They require a free, open, rich soil, and should remain and bloom undisturbed for years; divide the clumps every three or four years, and renew the soil.

A. autumnalis (autumn-blooming).* fl., perianth white, delicate pink at the base, preceding the leaves; two to three on a stem. Autumn. l. few in number, very slender, sheathing the stems at the base. h. 4in. to 6in. Portugal, 1629. A charming species, and the only one at all common.

A. grandiflorus (large-flowered).* fl., perianth white, larger than those of the last. August. h. 6in. Numidia, 1820. Somewhat rare in cultivation.

A. roseus (rose-coloured).* fl., perianth rose red, not more than ¼in. long; scape one to three-flowered. August. l. narrow, blunt, linear. h. 3in. Corsica, 1820. Very rare.

A. tingitanum (Tangiers). Of recent introduction; has a many-flowered umbel, and very long leaves.

A. trichophyllus (hair-leaved).* fl., perianth white, about ½in. long; segments loosely nerved, with a faint flush of red at the base. January. h. 6 in. Spain, 1820.

ACISANTHERA (from akis, a point, and anthera, an anther; anthers jointed). ORD. Melastomaceæ. A monotypic stove genus allied to Rhexia, of semi-shrubby habit. It grows well in a mixture of loam, sand, and peat; and cuttings root freely in the same soil in stove temperature.

A. quadrata (square-branched). fl. purple, ventricose, alternate, axillary, solitary. July. l. three-nerved, ovate, crenated; branches square. Habit erect, branched at the apex. h. 1ft. to 1½ft. Jamaica, 1804. More curious than ornamental.

ACMADENIA (from akme, a point, and aden, a gland; in allusion to the anthers being terminated by pointed glands). ORD. Rutaceæ. A small genus of beautiful greenhouse shrubs. Flowers terminal, solitary, or few, furnished with imbricate sepal-like bracts; petals five, with long claws, which are bearded on the inside. Leaves imbricate, linear-oblong, or roundish. They thrive best in a mixture of peat and sand, with a little turfy loam; thorough drainage is also necessary. Young cuttings pricked in a pot of very sandy soil, covered with a bell glass, and shaded, will root freely in a cool house.

A. tetragona (four-angled).* fl. white, large, sessile, solitary. June. l. roundish-rhomboidal, with scabrous margins. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1798.

ACMENA (from Acmenæ, nymphs of Venus, who had an altar at Olympia). ORD. Myrtaceæ. A small genus of greenhouse evergreen shrubs. Flowers in dense trichotomous cymes, with five small distant petals, and very conspicuous and pretty berries. They grow well in an equal mixture of peat, loam, and sand. Propagated readily by placing half-ripened cuttings in sand, under a glass, without heat.

A. floribunda (many-flowered).* fl. white, in threes, disposed in a terminal panicled thyrse. May to September. l. full of pellucid dots, oval-lanceolate, acuminated at both ends. Berries globose, bright purple. h. 4ft. New Holland, 1790.

A. ovata (ovate-leaved).* A new species, having, according to Mr. W. Bull, ovate leaves, which, along with the stems and petioles, are dark purple, giving the plants, when making new growth, a striking appearance. It has a neat habit.

ACOKANTHERA. See Toxicophlœa.

ACONIOPTERIS. See Acrostichum.

ACONITE. See Aconitum.

ACONITE, WINTER. See Eranthis.

ACONITUM (from Aconæ, or Acone, a harbour of Heraclea, in Bithynia, near where it is said to abound). Aconite; Monk's Hood; Wolf's Bane. ORD. Ranunculaceæ. An extensive genus of very ornamental hardy perennials. Flowers in terminal racemes; sepals five, the upper one helmet shaped, the two sides broader than the two back ones; petals five, small, the two upper with long claws hooded at the tip; the three inferior smaller or undeveloped. Leaves palmate. They thrive well in any ordinary garden soil. If left undisturbed for several years, they will attain a goodly size, and produce fine panicles of handsome flowers. They are invaluable for growing beneath the shade of trees, where they succeed better than almost any other class of plants. All are very easily propagated by divisions of the roots and seeds; the latter should be sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Care should be taken not to leave pieces of the roots about, for, with but one exception, those of all the species are very poisonous. Although very unlike horse-radish, they have frequently been mistaken for it, with fatal results; and none of the species should be cultivated in or near the kitchen garden.