Part 18

=A. pachyphylla= (thick-leaved). A mere form of _A. mitræformis_.

=A. paniculata= (panicled). Synonymous with _A. albocincta_.

=A. Perryi= (Perry's).* _fl._, perianth greenish, nine to ten lines long; raceme dense, 3in. to 4in. long; pedicels three to four lines long; inflorescence 1-1/2ft. long, commonly two-headed. _l._ in a rosette, lanceolate, 7in. to 8in. long, and 2-1/2in. broad, from below the middle to the apex narrowed, pale glaucous green, spotless, obscurely lined, channelled above the base; middle three to four lines thick; marginal teeth close, horny, one line long. Stem simple, 1in. in diameter. Socotra, 1879.

=A. prolifera= (proliferous). Synonymous with _A. brevifolia_.

=A. purpurascens= (purplish). _fl._, perianth reddish, twelve to fifteen lines long; raceme dense, 6in. to 9in. long, and about 3in. in diameter; pedicels nine to twelve lines long; scape strong, simple, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. _l._ forty to fifty in a dense rosette, 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. long, ensiform, 2in. broad at the base, slowly narrowed towards the apex, green; base flat; middle three lines thick, slightly channelled upwards, sometimes spotted; marginal prickles small, white. Stem 2ft. to 3ft., sometimes forked. 1789.

=A. rhodocincta= (red-margined), of gardens, is probably a form of _A. albocincta_.

=A. saponaria= (soapy).* _fl._, perianth brilliant red, eighteen to twenty-one lines long; raceme dense, corymbose, 3in. to 4in. long and wide; lower pedicels 1-1/2in. to 2in. long; scape 1ft. to 2ft., simple, or sparingly branched. _l._ twelve to twenty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 9in. to 12in. long, eighteen to twenty-four lines broad, narrowed from below the middle upwards; middle three to four lines broad; face flat at bottom; back swollen, green, copiously spotted, distinctly lined; marginal prickles adjoining, horny, one and a half to two lines long. Stem short, simple, 1-1/2in. to 2in. in diameter. 1727.

=A. Schimperi= (Schimper's).* _fl._, perianth bright red, eighteen to twenty-one lines long; racemes densely corymbose, 4in. in diameter; pedicels twelve to fifteen lines long; scape strong, 3ft. long, strongly branched above. _l._ twenty in a dense rosette, oblong-lanceolate, about 1ft. long, 4in. broad, glaucous green, lined, sometimes spotted, three to four lines thick at middle, above which they are channelled; teeth minute, spreading. Stem short, simple. Abyssinia, 1876.

=A. Schmidtiana= (Schmidt's). Synonymous with _A. Cooperi_.

=A. serra= (saw). _fl._, perianth brilliant red, eighteen lines long; raceme simple, dense, 6in. long or more, 3in. to 4in. in diameter; pedicels six to twelve lines long; scape simple, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. _l._ thirty to forty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 3in. to 5in. long, twelve to eighteen lines broad below, without spots and lines; base swollen, concave towards the apex; middle three to four lines thick, sparingly tubercled; marginal prickles close, one to one and a half lines long. Plant shortly stemmed. 1818.

=A. serratula= (finely-toothed).* _fl._, perianth red, fifteen to eighteen lines long; raceme rather dense, 6in. long; pedicels six to nine lines long; peduncles simple, about 1ft. _l._ twelve to twenty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 6in. to 9in. long; bottom 1-1/2in. to 2-1/4in. broad, pale green; face below the top flat or slightly concave, obscurely lined, spotted; margin minutely denticulated. Stem simple, finally 1ft. to 2ft. high, 1-1/2in. to 2in. in diameter. 1789.

=A. spinulosa= (spiny). A mere form of _A. mitræformis_.

=A. striata= (striated). Synonymous with _A. albocincta_.

=A. striatula= (slightly striped).* _fl._, perianth yellow, twelve to fifteen lines long; raceme oblong, rather dense, simple, 3in. to 6in. long, and 2in. in diameter; pedicels short; peduncles simple, nearly 1ft. _l._ linear, spreading, green, 6in. to 9in. long; base not dilated, six to eight lines broad, above the base upwards narrowed, slightly channelled; middle one line thick; marginal prickles deltoid. Stem long, sarmentose; floral branches three to six lines in diameter; internodes 6in. to 12in. long. 1823.

=A. suberecta= (slightly erect). A mere form of _A. humilis_.

=A. subtuberculata= (slightly knobbed). A mere form of _A. humilis_.

=A. succotrina= (Socotrine).* _fl._, perianth reddish, fifteen lines long; raceme dense, about 1ft. long, 2-1/2in. to 3in. in diameter; lower pedicels nine to twelve lines long; peduncles simple, 1-1/2ft. _l._ thirty to forty in a dense rosette, ensiform, acuminate, falcate, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long; base 2in.; middle 1in. broad, green, slightly glaucous, sometimes spotted, slightly channelled upwards; marginal prickles pale, one line long. Stem 3ft. to 5ft., often forked. Isle of Socotra. 1731.

=A. tenuior= (thinned). _fl._, perianth pale yellow, five to six lines long; racemes rather loose, simple, oblong, nearly 1ft. 2in. in diameter; pedicels three to four lines long; peduncles slender, simple, 4in. to 8in. _l._ loose, linear, 5in. to 8in. long, slowly narrowing from middle towards apex, green, spotless, slightly channelled; middle one line thick; marginal prickles minute, pale. Stem long, sarmentose. 1821.

=A. tricolor= (three-coloured).* _fl._, perianth coral red, fleshy; raceme loose, oblong, 3in. to 4in. long, and 2in. broad; pedicels ascending, three to four lines long; scape 1-1/2ft. long, glaucous purple; panicle deltoid. _l._ twelve to sixteen in a close rosette, lanceolate, 5in. to 6in. long, 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad at bottom, slowly narrowing from below the middle to apex; middle five to six lines thick; back rounded; face slightly swollen, copiously spotted, not lined; marginal prickles close, spreading, about one line long. Stem short, simple. South Africa, 1875.

=A. variegata= (variegated).* _fl._, perianth reddish, fifteen to sixteen lines long; raceme simple, loose, 3in. to 4in. long and about 3in. in diameter; pedicels three to four lines long; scape simple, tapering, 6in. to 8in. _l._ close, erecto-patent, lanceolate, 4in. to 5in. long, 1in. broad; face concave; back keeled, bright green, copiously spotted grey on both sides; margin whitish, denticulated. 1790. This is the variegated Aloe so frequently seen in cottage windows.

=A. vera= (true).* _fl._, perianth yellow, cylindrical, 3/4in. to 1in. long; raceme dense, 6in. to 12in. long; scape strong, 2ft. to 3ft. long, simple or branched. _l._ ensiform, dense, aggregate, 2in. to 4in. broad, narrowing from the base to apex, pale green; middle about 1/2in. thick; face channelled above the base; marginal prickles subdistant, deltoid, horny. Stem rarely more than 1ft. or 2ft. 1596. SYNS. _A. barbadensis_, _A. vulgaris_. See Fig. 61.

=A. vulgaris= (common). Synonymous with _A. vera_.

=A. xanthacantha= (yellow-spined). A mere form of _A. mitræformis_.

=A. Zeyheri= (Zeyher's). A garden synonym of _A. Bainesii_.

=ALOMIA= (from _a_, not, and _loma_, a fringe). ORD. _Compositæ_. Allied to _Eupatoria_. An ornamental half-hardy evergreen plant. Grows freely in sandy loam, and may be propagated by cuttings.

=A. ageratoides= (ageratum-like). _fl.-heads_ white, many flowered; involucrum campanulate, imbricate; scales narrow, acute; receptacle naked, convex. July. _l._ opposite, or upper ones alternate, petiolate, denticulated. _h._ 1-1/2ft. New Spain, 1824.

=ALONA= (primitive name, _Nolana_--letters transposed; from _nola_, a little bell, in allusion to the shape of the flowers). ORD. _Nolanaceæ_. A genus of pretty evergreen shrubs closely allied to _Nolana_, but differing principally in having several ovaries from one to six-celled, whereas _Nolana_ has five four-celled ovaries. Leaves fasciculate; stems woody. They require ordinary greenhouse treatment, in a peat and loam compost. Cuttings root freely in sandy loam, with a very gentle bottom heat, in about a fortnight.

=A. cœlestis= (sky-blue).* _fl._ pale blue, very large, axillary, solitary; peduncle elongated. July. _l._ terete, fascicled; plant nearly glabrous. _h._ 2ft. Chili, 1843. This pretty species is an excellent one for growing out-of-doors during summer months.

=ALONSOA= (in honour of Z. Alonso, formerly Spanish secretary for Santa Fe de Bogota). ORD. _Scrophularineæ_. A genus of very pretty little half-hardy shrubs, herbaceous perennials, or annuals, with axillary, sub-racemose flowers, which are resupinate, with a sub-rotate five-cleft limb. Leaves opposite, or ternately whorled. They will grow freely in light rich soil; and are readily increased by cuttings in August or March, which should be placed in sandy soil in gentle heat, or by seeds sown in March. The herbaceous species may be treated as outdoor summer annuals, and should be raised in a little heat, and planted out early in May.

=A. albiflora= (white-flowered).* _fl._ pure white, with yellow eye, in long terminal spikes. _h._ 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. Mexico, 1877. This is recommended for pot culture, as in the conservatory it will provide a succession of flowers throughout the autumn and winter.

=A. caulialata= (wing-stemmed). _fl._ scarlet, racemose. June. _l._ ovate, acute, serrated. Stems and branches quadrangular, winged. _h._ 1ft. Peru, 1823. Half-hardy, herbaceous.

=A. incisifolia= (cut-leaved).* _fl._ scarlet; peduncles long, alternate, disposed in terminal racemes. May to October. _l._ opposite, ovate, acute, deeply toothed, or serrate. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Chili, 1795. Glabrous greenhouse shrub. SYN. _Hemimeris urticifolia_.

=A. linearis= (linear-leaved). _fl._ scarlet, with a dark bottom, like most of the species. May to October. _l._ opposite, or three in a whorl, linear, entire or remotely denticulated; young leaves fascicled in the axils of the old ones. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Peru, 1790. Greenhouse shrub. SYN. _Hemimeris coccinea_.

=A. linifolia= (flax-leaved).* _fl._ scarlet. _h._ 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. New Holland. This is an elegant little annual, forming symmetrical, graceful, and very free flowering plants, either for pot or outdoor culture.

=A. Matthewsii= (Matthew's). _fl._ scarlet, in loose, terminal racemes. July. _l._ lanceolate, toothed, about 1in. long. Stem slender, quadrangular. _h._ 1ft. Peru, 1871. Greenhouse shrub.

=A. myrtifolia= (myrtle-leaved). _fl._ scarlet, very large. New and pretty species.

=A. Warscewiczii= (Warscewicz's).* _fl._ rosy scarlet. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Chili, 1858. This is probably a herbaceous variety of _A. incisifolia_, and one of the best annuals.

=ALOYSIA= (in honour of Maria Louisa, mother of Ferdinand VII., King of Spain). Sweet-scented Verbena. ORD. _Verbenaceæ_. This genus is nearly allied to _Verbena_, which _see_ for generic characters. A greenhouse deciduous shrub, with a very fine perfume and graceful habit. The most satisfactory plan of culture is to obtain well-grown thrifty young plants in spring, and grow them on for the season. As the wood ripens, give less water until they are at rest, when it must be nearly withheld. About the end of January, bring into the light and warmth, and water thoroughly. As soon as the plants break, cut back to three or four eyes; and when the young shoots are about an inch long, transfer into rich sandy soil, using pots a size or two smaller than those they were in before. When the pots are full of roots, transfer to those that are to hold the plants for the season. By this mode of culture, good plants are to be maintained for any length of time. Aloysias form excellent pillar subjects for either a cold greenhouse, or out-of-doors, in which latter situation they thrive remarkably well, but require thorough protection, with straw bands or mats, from November until March, and afterwards at night, until danger from severe frosts has passed. They require no summer training, their young growth being continually cut off for the many purposes of decoration to which they are applied, and to which they are so well adapted. They are easily increased by young cuttings in spring, which should be placed in sandy soil and gentle heat, when they will root in about three weeks.

=A. citriodora= (lemon-scented).* _fl._ whitish or lilac, very small, in terminal panicles. August. _l._ pale green, lanceolate, agreeably scented, arranged in whorls of threes; branches slender. Chili, 1781. SYNS. _Lippia citriodora_, _Verbena triphylla_.

=ALPINE GARDEN.= A very interesting style of gardening, which succeeds best by imitating Nature as closely as possible. The situation may be an open or a sheltered one. In building a Rock or Alpine Garden, it should be so arranged that all aspects are secured--shady and sunny--fully or in degree only. Pockets and crevices of various sizes may be made, and filled with soil suitable for the subjects to be planted therein, each one having a direct connection with the bulk of the soil; and the constructing material should be arranged with a gentle fall, so that moisture drains towards rather than from the roots. Alpine plants, as a rule, flourish better on a properly constructed rockery than if placed in any other position, because thorough drainage is effected, and the long and fine roots can run down in the crevices, where the soil is cool and moist. Although most alpine plants are naturally exposed to the full action of sun and wind, they should be placed out in early autumn, or early spring, so as to become thoroughly established before the approach of scorching summer weather. Failing materials necessary for the construction of a rockery, many alpines are easily grown in the ordinary border, in a naturally or artificially well drained situation. Excavate to the depth of 18in., put in a layer of stones, broken bricks, &c., 6in. deep; fill up with rich fibrous loam and leaf mould, adding sufficient sand to keep the soil porous. When the desired subjects are firmly planted, cover the surface with small gravel or stone chippings, which, while allowing the rain to penetrate the soil, effectually checks evaporation, and keeps it moist and cool, as well as giving the appearance of rocky _débris_. The effect will be better if the surface is slightly undulated.

=ALPINE ROSE.= _See_ =Rhododendron ferrugineum=.

=ALPINIA= (in honour of Prosper Alpinus, an Italian botanist). ORD. _Zingiberaceæ_. A rather large genus of stove herbaceous perennials, with considerable grace and beauty. Flowers disposed in terminal spikes. Leaves lanceolate, smooth, even, entire, sheathed at the base, and having transverse veins. Roots fleshy, branched, having much of the smell and taste of ginger. The soil can hardly be too rich for the successful culture of these plants. A mixture of equal parts loam, peat, leaf mould, or thoroughly rotted hotbed manure, freely mixed with sharp sand or fine charcoal dust, forms an excellent compost. During the growing season, a top dressing of rotten dung, and a frequent application of weak manure water, prove excellent stimulants. They grow rapidly and consume a great deal of food in the production of so much stem and so many leaves. Unless the former is vigorous and of considerable thickness, it will fail to be crowned with spikes of flower. Alpinias require a high temperature, a rich, light soil, abundance of water, and not a little space, to grow them well. Soon after flowering, the plants will assume the yellow leaf, when water may be gradually withheld; but no attempt should be made to dry them off too severely, even after the stems die down. Nor must they be stored when at rest in a low temperature; in fact, they require as much heat to preserve them in health when resting as at any other time. The best time to divide the plants is after the young shoots have made an inch of growth in spring.

=A. albo-lineata= (white-lined).* _l._ elliptic lanceolate, pale green, marked with oblique broad bands of white. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. New Guinea, 1880.

=A. mutica= (beardless). _fl._ in pairs on a spike-like raceme; calyx white; corolla duplex, consisting of three outer oblong white segments; upper lobe concave and projecting, broad; lip large, bright yellow, veined with crimson; mouth finely crispulate at the edge. Borneo, 1882. A very handsome species.

=A. nutans= (nodding).* _fl._ pink, sweetly-scented; racemes drooping. May. _l._ lanceolate, smooth, even, entire. _h._ 13ft. India, 1792. This species looks best in considerable masses, even larger than those shown in the illustration, grown in large pots or tubs, or planted out in borders of tropical houses. It should on no account be severely divided. See Fig. 62.

=A. vittata= (striped).* _l._ 6in. to 8in. long, elliptic lanceolate, tapering to a long fine point, and also narrowed gradually towards the sheathing base, pale green, marked by broad stripes of dark green and creamy white, running off from the midrib in divergent lines, corresponding to the venation. South Sea Islands. See Fig. 63, for which we are indebted to Mr. Bull.

=ALSIKE.= _See_ =Trifolium hybridum=.

=ALSODEIA= (from _alsodes_, leafy; plants thickly beset with leaves). ORD. _Violarieæ_. Ornamental evergreen stove shrubs. Flowers small, whitish, racemose; petals equal; racemes axillary and terminal; pedicels bracteate jointed. Leaves usually alternate, feather-nerved; stipules small, deciduous. They thrive best in a mixture of loam and sand, and young cuttings root readily under a bell glass if planted in sand, in heat.

=A. latifolia= (broad-leaved).* _fl._ on dense, glabrous racemes. _l._ ovate, obtusely acuminated. _h._ 6ft. Madagascar, 1823.

=A. pauciflora= (few-flowered). _fl._ few, somewhat corymbose; pedicels reflexed. _l._ wedge-shaped, on short footstalks. _h._ 4ft. Madagascar, 1824.

=ALSOPHILA= (from _alsos_, a grove, and _phileo_, to love; in reference to the situation which they affect in Nature). ORD. _Filices_. A magnificent genus of tropical and temperate tree ferns. Sori globose, dorsal, on a vein or in the forking of a vein; receptacle mostly elevated, frequently villous; involucre none. The species of this genus require an abundant supply of water, particularly in summer, and the young fronds must be carefully shaded from solar heat. They thrive well in a peat and loam compost. For general culture, _see_ =Ferns=.

=A. aculeata= (prickly).* _fronds_ ample, tripinnate. _rachises_ brown-stramineous; pinnæ ovate-lanceolate, 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. long; pinnules sessile, ligulate, 3in. to 4in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad; segments close, ligulate, blunt, denticulate, often less than one line broad; both sides bright green, slightly hairy on the ribs, not scaly. _sori_ minute, medial; texture herbaceous. Tropical America; very common. A very effective stove species. SYN. _A. ferox_, &c. See Fig. 64.

=A. armata= (armed).* _fronds_ ample, tripinnatifid or tripinnate. _rachises_ stramineous, densely pilose; pinnæ oblong-lanceolate, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long; pinnules ligulate-lanceolate, sessile, 3in. to 5in. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad; segments falcate, blunt, one to one and a half lines broad, sub-entire or toothed; both sides densely pilose on the ribs, not scaly. _sori_ subcostular. Tropical America; extremely abundant. Stove species.

=A. aspera= (rough).* _cau._ slender, 10ft. to 30ft. high. _sti._ and _rachises_ strongly aculeated; main and partial rachis above strigillose, slightly scaly beneath and on the costa, the rest glabrous, often glossy. _fronds_ bipinnate; pinnules shortly petiolate, oblong; apex acuminated, pinnatifid half or two-thirds of the way down to the costa; lobes oblong-ovate, often acutely serrulate; costa bearing small, deciduous, bullate scales beneath. _sori_ very deciduous. West Indies, &c. Stove species.

=A. australis= (southern).* _sti._ with very long, firm, subulate scales, 1-1/2ft. long, and as well as the main rachises, muricato-asperous, stramineous. _fronds_ ample, subglaucous beneath, more or less villous on the costæ and costule above, and very minutely bullato-paleaceous beneath, often quite naked, from 6ft. to 30ft. long; primary pinnæ 1-1/2ft. long, 6in. to 10in. wide; pinnules 3in. to 4in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. wide, oblong, acuminate, deeply pinnatifid, or towards the base even pinnate; ultimate pinnules or lobes oblong, acute, serrated, subfalcate. _sori_ copious, rather small. New Holland, &c., 1833. A very handsome greenhouse species.

=A. comosa= (hairy). Synonymous with _A. Scottiana_.

=A. contaminans= (contaminating).* _cau._ slender, growing from 20ft. to 50ft. high. _sti._ and _rachises_ purplish brown, glossy, aculeate. _fronds_ 6ft. to 10ft. long, ample, glabrous, deep green above, glaucous beneath; primary pinnæ 2ft. or more in length, oblong-ovate, acuminate; pinnules sessile, 4in. to 5in. long, 1/2in. to 1in. wide, deeply pinnatifid, linear-oblong, sub-falcate, entire. _sori_ nearer the costule than the margin. Java and Malaya. Stove species. SYN. _A. glauca_.

=A. Cooperi= (Cooper's).* _fronds_ ample, tripinnate. _rachises_ stramineous, muricated, glabrous beneath; basal scales large, linear, pale, spreading; pinnæ oblong-lanceolate, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long; pinnules ligulate, 4in. to 5in. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad, lowest long-stalked; segments ligulate, blunt, toothed, one and a half to two and a half lines broad. _sori_ small. Queensland, &c. Greenhouse.

=A. excelsa= (tall).* _trunk_ about 30ft. high. _sti._ and main _rachises_ muricated. _fronds_ ample, dark green above, paler beneath; primary pinnæ 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 6in. to 10in. wide; pinnules numerous, oblong-lanceolate, acuminated, deeply pinnatifid, often quite pinnate; ultimate divisions 1/4in. to 3/4in. long, oblong, acute or obtuse, falcate, the margins sub-recurved, serrated. _sori_ copious near the costules. Norfolk Island. This rapid-growing and splendid species proves nearly hardy in the neighbourhood of Cornwall; and is a most effective plant for sub-tropical gardening purposes generally. Greenhouse species.

=A. ferox= (fierce). Synonymous with _A. aculeata_.

=A. Gardneri= (Gardner's). Synonymous with _A. paleolata_.

=A. gigantea= (gigantic). _cau._ growing from 20ft. to 40ft. high. _sti._ asperous; _fronds_, primary pinnæ 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. and more long, deeply pinnatifid at the apex; pinnules, upper ones sessile, lower ones petiolate, oblong-acuminate, 3in. to 6in. long, five to nine lines wide, deeply pinnatifid; lobes triangular or rounded, serrated. _sori_ copious. India, &c. Stove species. SYN. _A. glabra_.

=A. glabra= (glabrous). Synonymous with _A. gigantea_.

=A. glauca= (grey). Synonymous with _A. contaminans_.

=A. infesta= (troublesome). _fronds_ ample, tripinnatifid; pinnæ oblong-lanceolate, 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. long; pinnules ligulate, 3in. long, 1/2in. to 1in. broad, cut down to a narrow wing; segments 1/8in. broad, ligulate, blunt, nearly entire; texture sub-coriaceous; colour deep green on both sides. Tropical America; widely distributed. Stove species.