Part 16

_Combrètums._ Nine species of beautiful flowering climbing plants, standing in very high estimation. The leaves of the principal part of them are ovate, acute, flowers small but on large branches, the flowers all coming out on one side of the branch. They have a magnificent effect. _C. èlegans_, red; _C. formòsum_, red and yellow; _C. pulchéllum_, scarlet; _C. comòsum_ has crimson flowers in tufts; _C. purpùreum_ is the most splendid of the genus. It was first cultivated in 1818, and so much admired, that the whole of the species as soon as introduced, was extravagantly bought up, and none of them has retained their character, except _C. purpùreum_, which is now called _Poívrea coccínea_. The flowers are bright scarlet, in large branches, blooming profusely from April to September, and flower best in a pot. When planted in the ground it grows too much to wood, carrying few flowers. This plant ought to be in every Hot-house.

_Cràssula._ This genus has no plants in it attractive in beauty. Several beautiful plants in our collections belong to _Ròchea_ and _Kalosánthus_. There is a strong growing succulent plant, known in our collections as _C. falcàta_, which is _R. falcàta_. It seldom flowers; the minor variety blooms profusely every year from May to August, and has showy scarlet flowers in terminale panicles. The plants known as _C. coccínea_ and _C. versícolor_ are now given to the genus _Kalosánthus_. The flowers of the former are like scarlet wax, terminale and sessile; _K. odoratíssima_ has yellow terminale sweet-scented flowers. They require very little water, only a few times in winter, and about twice a week in summer; they are all desirable plants.

_Córyphas_, (Large fan Palm,) five species of the most noble and magnificent of palms. _C. ambraculífera_, the fronds or leaves are palmate; in Ceylon, where the tree is indigenous, they are frequently found fifteen feet wide and twenty feet long. Knox says they will cover from fifteen to twenty men, and when dried will fold up in the shape of a rod, and can be easily carried about, and serve to protect them from the scorching sun. _C. talièra_, now _Talièra bengalénsis_, being stronger, is of great utility for covering houses. They do not grow to such immense extent in artificial cultivation, but require large houses to grow them.

_Crìnums_, about one hundred species, chiefly stove bulbs, many of them beautiful. Those that are of great celebrity are _C. cruéntum_, colour red; _C. scàbrum_, crimson and white; _C. amàbile_, purple and white; the neck of the bulb of the latter is long and easily distinguished from its purplish colour, and is considered the finest of the genus. Several specimens of it are in our collections. Their flowers are in umbels, on a stalk from one to three feet high; corolla funnel shaped; petals recurved. They require large pots to make them flower well, and when growing to be liberally supplied with water.

_Cyrtànthus_, a genus of Cape bulbs, containing nine species, and will do very well in the Green-house, but we find the assistance of the Hot-house a great advantage. They are closely allied to _Crìnum_. The tubes of the flowers are long and round, with various shades of orange, yellow, red, and green. _C. odòrus_, _C. striátus_, _C. oblíquus_, and _C. vittàtus_, are the finest. When the bulbs are dormant, which will be from October to January, they should not get any water; before they begin to grow, turn the bulb out of the old earth, repotting it immediately. At this time they should be potted with the balls of earth entire, which will cause them to flower stronger.

_Caryophyllus aromáticus_, is the only species, and the tree that produces cloves. The whole plant is aromatic, and closely allied to _Myrtus_; the flowers are in loose panicles, the leaves oblong, accuminate, entire. It is a fine evergreen. Pots must be well drained.

_Dillènias_, three species of fine plants, with beautiful foliage. _D. speciòsa_ has produced considerable excitement in our collections. The leaves are elliptic, oblong, simply serrated, nerves deep; the flower is white, with five bold petals, centre filled with barren anthers; it has not been known to flower in America. _D. scándens_ has ovate, simply serrated leaves, but is not known as to flower; it is a fine climber.

_Dracænas_, Dragon-tree, about twelve species of Asiatic plants, varied in character. _D. férrea_ is plentiful in our collections, and will keep in the Green-house; but the foliage is not so well retained as when kept in the Hot-house; the leaves are lanceolate, acute, of a dark purple colour. _D. fràgrans_, when in bloom, will scent the air for a considerable distance, leaves green and lanceolate. _D. marginàta_ is rare, yet it is to be seen in a few of our collections. _D. strícta_ is now _Charlwòodia_[F] _strícta_, flowers blush and in loose panicles. _D. Dráco_ is admired, and the most conspicuous of the genus.

[F] In honour of Mr. Charlwood, an extensive seedsman of London, who has made several botanical excursions on this continent.

_Eránthemums_, about ten species. _E. pulchéllum_ and _E. bícolor_ are the finest of the genus; the former is in our collections, but miserably treated. The soil in which it is grown is too stiff and loamy, and it seldom gets enough of heat. The latter is indispensable to make it flower in perfection; therefore it should have the warmest part of the house, and it will produce flowers of a fine blue colour from January to September. The flowers of the latter are white and dark purple, with a few brown spots in the white; blooms from April to August. Drain the pots well, and give the plants little sun during summer.

_Eugènias_, about thirty species, esteemed for their handsome evergreen foliage. This genus once contained a few celebrated species, which have been divided. (See _Jambòsa_.) The Allspice tree, known as _Myrtus Piménta_, is now _E. Piménta_; the leaves are ovate, lanceolate, and when broken have an agreeable scent. There are several varieties all of the same spicy fragrance. The plant is in very few of our collections. _E. fràgrans_ is sweet scented; the flowers are on axillary peduncles; leaves ovate, obtuse.

_Euphórbia_ (spurg), a genus of plants disseminated over every quarter of the globe; a few are beautiful, many grotesque, and several the most worthless weeds on the earth. There are about two hundred species, and from all of them, when probed, a thick milky fluid exudes. Those of the tropics are the most curious, and very similar in appearance to _Cáctus_, but easily detected by the above perforation. There is a magnificent species in our collections, which was lately introduced from Mexico.[G] It goes under the name of _E. heterophylla_. The flowers of the whole genus are apetalous, and the beauty is in the bracteæ; of the species alluded to the bracteæ is bright crimson, very persistent, and above six inches in diameter, when well grown. The plant requires a strong heat, or the foliage will become yellow and fall off. We question whether this species is nondescript or as above. It is a brilliant ornament to the Hot-house three fourths of the year, and always during winter, and should have a situation in every tropical collection.

[G] By Poinsett the American Consul for Mexico in 1828.

_Erythrìnas_ (Coral tree), a genus containing about thirty species of leguminose, scarlet-flowering plants. Several species are greatly esteemed for their beauty and profusion of flowers, which in well established plants are produced in long spikes at the end of the stems and branches. _E. Corallodéndrum_ blooms magnificently in the West Indies, but in our collections has never flowered. Perhaps if it was kept dry during its dormant season, which is from November to January, and when growing greatly encouraged, it might produce flowers. _E. speciòsa_ is a splendid flowerer, leaves large, ternated, and prickly beneath; stem prickly. _E. pubéscens_ is valued for its large peculiar brown pubescent leaves.

In regard to _E. herbàcea_, which is a native of the Carolinas, and frequently treated as a Hot-house plant, it is our opinion that it would be more perfectly grown if planted about the first of this month in the garden; and when growing, if well supplied with water, it would flower from July to September. About the first of November lift the roots and preserve them in half dry earth, in the same place with the _Dáhlias_. _E. laurifòlia_ and _E. crísta-gálli_ are likewise often treated as Hot-house plants, and in such situations they cast prematurely their first flowers, by the confined state of the air. They will keep in perfect preservation during winter in a dry cellar, half covered with earth, or entirely covered with half dry earth; consequently, the best and easiest method of treatment, is to plant them in the garden about the first of May, and when growing, if the ground becomes dry, give them frequent waterings. They will flower profusely three or four times in the course of summer.

We freely recommend the last species to all our patrons, confident that it will give ample satisfaction, both in profusion of flower and beauty of colour. The soil they are to be planted into should be according to that prescribed in the list; or if they are kept in pots, they must be enlarged three or four times, when they are in a growing state, to make them flower perfectly; otherwise they will be diminutive.

_Fìcus_, Fig-tree, a genus containing above fifty Hot-house species, besides several that belong to the Green-house; greatly admired for the beauty of their foliage. A few of them are deciduous, and all of the easiest culture. We have seen plants of _F. elástica_ hung in the back of the Hot-house, without the smallest particle of earth, their only support being sprinklings of water every day. _F. Brássii_ is the finest looking species that has come under our observation; the leaves are very large, shining, cordate, accuminate; nerves strong and white. As the beauty of these plants is entirely in the foliage and habit, we will select the best of them in the list to which we refer.

_Gærtnèra racemòsa_, is a large climbing woody shrub, with pinnated leaves, leaflets ovate, lanceolate, flowers white, five petaled, beautifully fringed; blooms in dense panicles. When the plants are allowed to climb, they do not flower freely; but if closely cut in, they will flower every year in great profusion, after the plants are well established. It is now called _Hiptàge Madablòta_.

_Geissomèria longiflòra._ This is a new genus, and closely allied to _Ruéllia_. The species alluded to, is a free flowerer, blooming from May to August, in close spikes of a scarlet colour; leaves opposite, ovate, elongate, and shining; the plants must be well drained, and in summer kept from the direct influence of the sun.

_Gardènias_, a genus containing about seventeen species, several of them very popular in our collections, going under the name of _Cape Jasmine_, which do well in the Green-house, (see _May_.) The species requiring this department, and deserving attention, are _G. campanulàta_, of a soft woody nature, with ovate, accuminate leaves; flowers of a straw colour, and solitary; _G. am[oe]na_, the flowers are white, tinged with crimson, terminale and solitary; _G. costàta_, admired for its beautiful ribbed foliage, _G. lùcida_ has a handsome, ovate, accuminate, shining foliage; flowers white and solitary. They require to have the pots well drained.

_Heritièra littóralis_, Looking-glass plant. This plant is unisexual, has beautiful large, ovate, veiny leaves; the flowers are small, red, with male and female on the same plant, but different flowers. It requires a strong heat, and plenty of pot room. How the English name becomes applicable to it, we are not acquainted.

_Hibíscus._ This genus affords many fine species and varieties of plants for the Hot-house, besides others for every department of the garden. The most popular in our collections for the Hot-house, is _H. Ròsa sinénsis_, with its varieties, which are magnificent, and flower profusely, from April to September. The single or original species is seldom seen in cultivation; the varieties are _H. Ròsa sinénsis rùbro plénus_, double red; _H. R. S. cárnea plènus_, double salmon; _H. R. S. variegàtus_, double striped; _H. R. S. flávo-plènus_, double buff; _H. R. S. lùtea plènus_, double yellow, or rather sulphur. The plants grow freely, and produce their flowers three or four inches of diameter, from the young wood; the leaves are ovate, accuminate, smooth, entire at the base and coarsely toothed at the end. All the varieties are of the same character, and highly deserving of a situation in every collection. There is said to be a double white variety, which we doubt; it is not in artificial cultivation. _H. mutàbilis flòre plèno_ is a splendid plant of strong growth, and will, when well established, flower abundantly, if the wood of last year is cut to within a few eyes of the wood of the previous year; the flowers are produced on the young wood, and come out a pale colour, and change to bright red, and about the size of a garden Provins rose; leaves downy, cordate, angular, five-lobed, accuminate, and slightly toothed. _H. lilliiflòrus_, is a new highly esteemed species; the flowers are various in colour, being pink, blush, red, purple, and striped. We have not seen it in flower, but had its character verbally, from a respectable cultivator. The leaves vary in character, but are generally cordate, crenate, accuminate; the petioles are brown, and the whole slightly hirsute; is deciduous, and requires to be kept in the warmest part of the house.

_Hóyas_, Wax-plant, seven species. All of them are climbing succulents, requiring plenty of heat and little water. _H. carnòsa_ is the finest flowering species of the genus, and known in our collections as the wax plant; the leaves are green and fleshy; the flowers are mellifluous, five parted, and in pendulous bunches, slightly bearded, and have every appearance of a composition of the finest wax; of a blush colour. _H. crassifòlia_ has the best looking foliage, and the flowers are white. The former will keep in the Green-house, but will not flower so profusely.

_Hernándias_, Jack-in-a-box. The species are rare, except _H. sonòra_, which is an elegant looking plant, when well grown; the leaves are peltate, cordate, accuminate, smooth; flowers white, and in panicles; the fruit a nut. The English name is said to have been given, in allusion to the small flowers and large leaves of the plant. A great heat is required to grow it well.

_Ipomæas_, a genus of tropical climbing plants, nearly allied to _Convolvúlus_, but of greater beauty. _I. paniculàta_ has large purple flowers in panicles, with large palmated smooth leaves. _I. Jálapa_ is the true jalap of the druggists, but not worthy of any other remark. _I. grandiflòra_, large white flowers, with acute petals; leaves large, cordate, ovate. _I. pulchélla_ has flowers of a handsome violet colour. They are all easily cultivated. It is said that _I. tuberòsa_ is much used in the West Indies to cover arbours, and will grow three hundred feet in one season; the flowers are purple striped with yellow, leaves palmated. We are not certain but the roots of this kind may be kept like the sweet potato, and become a useful ornament to our gardens.

_Ixòras_, a genus of fine flowering plants, and does extremely well in our collections in comparison to the state they are grown in England. The genus specifically is much confused amongst us, either from error originating with those who packed them for this country, or after they have arrived. _I. purpùrea_, leaves oblong, ovate, blunt; flowers crimson; it is now called _I. obavàta_. _I. crocàta_, leaves oval, lanceolate, narrowing towards the stem, smooth, underside of the leaf the nerves are very perceptible; flowers saffron coloured. _I. ròsea_, leaves large, regular, oblong, a little acute, very distant on the wood, centre nerve strong; flowers rose coloured in large corymbs, branching: _I. Bandhùca_, leaves very close to the stem, ovate, accuminate; nerves straight, middle nerve stronger than any other of the genus; flowers scarlet, corymbs crowded. _I. Blánda_, leaves small, lanceolate, ovate; flowers blush, cymes branching in three. _I. dichotìma_, leaves largest of the genus, ovate, accuminate, undulate, footstalk 3/8 of an inch long; whereas none of the leaves of the other species has footstalks of any length. It is now called _I. undulàta_, flowers are white. _I. grandiflòra_, leaves ovate, elongate, sessile; flowers in crowded corymbs, and scarlet; is called, _I. coccínea_ in the Botanical Magazine, by which it is known in our collections, and is the same as _I. strícta_. _I. flámmea_ and _I. speciòsa_, leaves oblong, subsessile; flowers scarlet, in round spreading dense corymbs. _I. fúlgens_, same as _I. longifòlia_ and _I. lanceolàta_; foliage glossy; flowers scarlet. _I. Pavétta_, the flowers are white, and said to be sweet-scented, the leaves of all the species are opposite; there are a few other species that we are not thoroughly acquainted with, but have been thus explicit to prevent error as far as possible in this beautiful genus. They are all evergreen, low growing shrubs; the plants grow best in Jersey black sandy earth, but flower most abundantly with half loam.

_Jacarándas_, a genus of beautiful shrubs, containing five species, with _Bignônia_-like blue or purple flowers. _I. mimòsifolia_ and _I. filicifòlia_ are the finest. The former has blue, and the latter purple flowers; in loose branching panicles. They are evergreen, and easy of culture.

_Jambòsas_, about twelve species, which have been principally taken from _Eugènia_, and contain its finest plants, and is a splendid genus of evergreen shrubs. _E. Jámbos_ is now _Jambòsa vulgàris_, which flowers and fruits freely in our Hot-houses. The fruit is about an inch in diameter, eatable, and smelling like a rose, hence called "Rose Apple." The petals of all the species are simple, and may rather be considered the calyx; the beauty of the flowers is in the many erect spreading stamens, either straw, white, rose, or green colour. _J. malaccénsis_, Malay Apple, is greatly esteemed for the delightful fragrance of its fruit. We frequently see _J. purpuráscens_, which is a native of the West Indies, going under _J. m._ which is an Asiatic species, with white flowers and entire oblong leaves; whereas the leaves of _J. p._ are small, ovate, accuminate, young shoots and leaves purple. _J. macrophylla_, white, and _J. amplexicaùlis_, green, have very large oblong, lanceolate leaves, and is of a strong woody habit. They are all easy of culture.

_Jasmìnum_, Jasmine, is a favourite genus of shrubs, for the exquisite fragrance of its flowers, of which none are more delightful than _J. Sàmbac_ or Arabian Jasmine. There are two other varieties of it, _J. S. múltiplex_, semi-double; and _J. S. trifòliatum_, Double Tuscan Jasmine. The latter requires a great heat to make it grow and flower freely. We suspect there is another variety in cultivation. _J. hirsùtum_ has cordate downy leaves; flowers many, in terminale, sessile umbels. _J. paniculàtum_, white, flowering in terminale panicles from March to November; leaves smooth, oval, obtusely accuminate; _plant scarce_. _J. simplicifòlium_ is in our collections under the name of _J. lucidum_; plant spreading; leaves oblong and shining. There are several other species, all with white flowers, and generally easy of culture.

_Játropha_, Physic-nut, is a genus of six strong growing shrubs, natives of the West Indies. _J. multifida_ and _I. panduræfòlia_ have the handsomest foliage, and both have scarlet flowers; the appearance of the foliage of this genus is the only object; the flowers are small, in coarse disfigured panicles, and several of the species have not been known to flower in artificial cultivation. The seeds of _J. cúrcas_ are often received from the West Indies; the leaves are cordate, angular, and smooth. _J. manihot_, now _Manihot cannabìna_, is the Cassada root, the juice of which, when expressed, is a strong poison. They are all easy of culture: want of strong heat in winter will make them cast their leaves, but do them no other injury.

_Justícia._ A few species of this genus are fine showy hot-house plants. _J. coccínea_ has large terminale spikes of scarlet flowers, blooming from December to March, and a very desirable plant, of easy culture, and should be in every collection; it is apt to grow spindly, if not kept near the glass. _I. picta_, with its varieties; _I. lúcida_ and _I. formósa_, are fine shrubby species. _I. speciòsa_ is a beautiful purple flowering herbaceous plant.

_Kæmpfèria_, an Asiatic genus of tuberose rooted plants; none of them in our collections, except _K. rotúnda_; the flowers come up a few inches above the pot, without the leaves, in April and May and frequently sooner; they are purple and light blue, partially streaked and spotted; leaves large, oblong, purplish coloured beneath. The roots when dormant ought to be kept in the pot without watering, otherwise they will not flower freely. No bulbs or strong tuberose rooted plants, will flower in perfection if kept moist when they are not growing.

_Lantàna_, a genus of twenty species, all free flowering shrubs; the flowers are small, in round heads blooming from the axils, in yellow, orange, pink, white, and changeable colours; the plants are of such a rough straggling growth, that they are not esteemed. There are four or five species in our collections. They will not bear a strong fumigation; therefore, when the Hot-house is under that operation, they must be set down in the pathway, or other low part in the house.

_Latànias._ This genus contains three species of handsome palms. _L. borbònica_ is one of the finest of the _Palmæ_, not growing to great magnitude; the leaves or fronds are plaited flabelliform, leaflets smooth at the edge, footstalk spiny, and the plant spreading. _L. rùbra_, fronds same as the former, but leaflets more divided and serrulate; footstalk unarmed; foliage reddish. _L. glaucophylla_, same as _L. rùbra_, only the foliage glaucous. They are all valuable plants, and are obtained by seed from the East Indies. They require plenty of pot room.

_Laúrus._ This genus, though of no beauty in flower, is generally admired in collections for its fine evergreen foliage, and aromatic or spicy flavour, and several trees are important in medicine. The most esteemed are given to a genus named _Cinnamòmum_, as has been observed in the Green-house, (see _March_.) _L. Chloróxylon_ is the Cogwood of Jamaica. _L. Pérsea_ is now _Pérsea gratíssima_, Alligator-pear, a fruit about the size of a large pear, and greatly esteemed in the West Indies. The plant is generally known in our collections. _C. vérum_ is the true Cinnamon of commerce.

The part taken is the inside of the bark when the tree is from five to eighteen years old. The leaves are three-nerved, ovate, oblong; nerves vanishing towards the point, bright green above, pale beneath, with whitish veins. This plant ought to be kept in the warmest part of the Hot-house. C. _cássia_, is frequently given under the former name, but when compared may be easily detected by the leaves being more lanceolate, and a little pubescent. They both make handsome plants, but require great heat. Drain the pots well of the delicate sorts.