Part 19

=A. Leichardtiana= (Leichardt's).* _cau._ 10ft. to 20ft. high. _sti._ jointed upon the caudex; main and secondary rachises purple, deciduously powdery, spiny. _fronds_ 6ft. to 10ft. long, firm, dark green above, sub-glaucous beneath, naked and glaucous (or nearly so), tripinnate; primary pinnæ 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 8in. wide, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate; pinnules oblong-acuminate, sessile, pinnatifid only at the apex; ultimate divisions linear-oblong, acute, spinulose-serrate. _sori_ copious, close to the costa. Australia, 1867. Greenhouse species. SYNS. _A. Macarthurii_, _A. Moorei_.

=A. lunulata= (moon-shaped pinnuled). _fronds_ ample, tripinnate. _rachises_ stramineous, glabrous below, densely muricated; pinnæ oblong-lanceolate, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long; pinnules close, ligulate, sessile, 4in. to 5in. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad; segments close, ligulate, falcate, blunt, one line broad, obscurely crenulate. _sori_ minute. _h._ 25ft. Polynesia. Greenhouse species.

=A. Macarthurii= (MacArthur's). Synonymous with _A. Leichardtiana_.

=A. Moorei= (Moore's). Synonymous with _A. Leichardtiana_.

=A. paleolata= (scaly).* _cau._ slender, 10ft. to 20ft. high. _fronds_ ample, tripinnatifid. _rachises_ stramineous, smooth, pubescent below; pinnæ oblong-lanceolate, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long; pinnules ligulate, sessile or shortly stalked, 3in. to 4in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad, deeply cut, the segments blunt and nearly entire; texture sub-coriaceous; colour deep green, both surfaces deeply pilose, the lower scaly on the ribs. _sori_ large, medial. Columbia, &c. Stove species. SYN. _A. Gardneri_.

=A. procera= (tall). _sti._ aculeated and paleaceous below, with large glossy, dark brown scales. _fronds_ bipinnate, glabrous, pinnatifid at the apex; primary pinnæ 1ft. or more long, the rachis winged above; pinnules 2in. to 3in. long, oblong-acuminate or obtuse, pinnatifid half way down to the costa; lobes short, sub-rotundate, often acute, mostly entire. _sori_ small on all the lobes, between the costule and the margin. Tropical America. Stove species.

=A. pruinata= (as if hoar-frosted).* _sti._ densely woolly at the base. _fronds_ glaucous, bi-tripinnate; primary pinnæ petiolate, 12in. to 18in. long, ovate-lanceolate; pinnules 3in. to 4in. long, 1in. wide, petiolulate, from a broad base, oblong-acuminate, deeply pinnatifid, or again pinnate; ultimate divisions 1/2in. long, lanceolate, very acute, deeply and sharply serrated. _sori_ solitary. Tropical America, extending to Chili. Stove or greenhouse species.

=A. radens= (rasping). _cau._ 3ft. high, 3in. diameter. _sti._ 2ft. to 3ft. long, clothed with ovate, pale brown scales. _fronds_ 6ft. to 8ft. long, lanceolate-ovate, bipinnatisect; primary segments 1-1/2ft. long, elongato-oblong, acuminate; secondary ones 2in. to 3in. long, petiolulate, linear-lanceolate, pinnati-partite; segments oblong, denticulate. _sori_ between the costule and the margin. Brazil. Stove species.

=A. Rebeccæ= (Rebecca's).* _cau._ slender, 8ft. high. _fronds_ ample, bipinnate; pinnules twenty to thirty on each side, the lower ones stalked, linear, 2in. to 3in. long, more or less inciso-crenate, apex acuminate. _sori_ principally in two rows between the midrib and edge. Queensland. Greenhouse species. See Fig. 65, for which we are indebted to Mr. Bull.

=A. sagittifolia= (arrow-leaved).* _fronds_ oblong-deltoid, 4ft. to 6ft. long, bipinnate. _rachises_ stramineous, muricated; pinnæ lanceolate, 3/4ft. to 1ft. long, the lower shorter, deflexed; pinnules sessile, ligulate, crenulate, cordate on both sides at the base, 1in. to 1-1/2in. long, nearly 1/4in. broad. _sori_ large. Trinidad, 1872. Very handsome and distinct stove species.

=A. Scottiana= (Scott's).* _fronds_ ample, tripinnatifid. _rachises_ castaneous, naked and smooth beneath; pinnæ oblong-lanceolate, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long; pinnules sessile, 3in. to 4in. long, about 1/2in. broad, ligulate, cut down to a narrow wing on the rachis; segments ligulate, blunt, dentate, sub-falcate, not 1/8in. broad. _sori_ sub-costular. Sikkim, 1872. Greenhouse species. SYN. _A. comosa_.

=A. Tænitis= (Tænitis-like).* _fronds_ 3ft. to 6ft. long, bipinnate; pinnules distant, 3in. to 5in. long, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, sub-entire, petioled; petiole articulated on the rachis. _sori_ in a single series, equidistant between the costa and the margin, mixed with long, copious hairs. Brazil. An elegant stove species.

=A. villosa= (villous).* _cau._ 6ft. to 12ft. high. _sti._ 1ft. or more long, tubercular, densely clothed at the base with ferruginous scales. _fronds_ from 6ft. to 8ft. long, bi- or sub-tripinnate, broadly lanceolate in outline; pinnules 1in. to 3in. long, oblong-lanceolate, obtusely acuminate, deeply pinnatifid; lobes oblong, obtuse, entire or coarsely serrated. _sori_ copious. Tropical America. A very beautiful stove species.

=ALSTONIA= (in honour of Dr. Alston, once Professor of Botany at Edinburgh). ORD. _Apocynaceæ_. Usually tall, lactescent, or milk-bearing stove evergreen shrubs or trees, with small white flowers, which are disposed in terminal cymes. Leaves entire, opposite or often whorled. Of easy culture, thriving best in a mixture of peat, loam, and sand. Cuttings root readily in sand, in heat. Besides the one mentioned, there are eleven other species.

=A. scholaris= (school). _fl._, corolla salver-shaped, white; cymes on short peduncles. March to May. _l._ five to seven in a whorl, obovate-oblong, obtuse, ribbed; upper surface glossy, under white, and having the veins approximating the margin. _h._ 8ft. India, 1803. SYN. _Echites scholaris_.

=ALSTRÖMERIA= (in honour of Baron Alströmer, a Swedish botanist and friend of Linnæus). ORD. _Amaryllidaceæ_. Tall handsome hardy or half-hardy tuberous rooted plants, with leafy stems and terminal umbels of richly-coloured flowers; perianth regular, six-parted, subcampanulate; inner segments narrower, two of which are somewhat tubulose at the base; stamens included within, and inserted with perianth; stigma trifid. Leaves linear, lanceolate, or ovate, and resupinate, or inverted in position by the twisting of the petiole. Cultivation: Few plants need less attention to grow them successfully, either in pots or planted out. The best position for those kinds which succeed outside is a deep and dry, sloping, sheltered border, in a compost of two-parts peat and leaf soil, and one loam with some sharp sand. Water freely if severe drought sets in; a surface covering of common moss, or cut fern in winter, will prove an advantage. They are very effective in masses. Propagation: They may be increased by seed or root division. Sow the former when ripe, or in early spring, thinly in pans, pots, or boxes, and place in a cool house or frame, so that they will receive some fostering in their early stages. The seedlings should be pricked out singly, when large enough to handle, and grown on till well established under glass. A mixture of peat, leaf mould, and sandy loam, is the best compost in which to sow the seeds and grow the young plants. When sufficiently established, they may be placed in a warm sheltered spot outside, and about 1ft. apart. The fasciculated masses of fleshy roots are readily separated into as many pieces as there are crowns; this operation may be performed during September or October, or February and March; but it must be done carefully. Except for the sake of increase, the less they are disturbed the better. They are excellent subjects for pot culture (some can only be managed thus, unless planted out in a house), and may be potted as early in the autumn as possible, in 8in., 10in., or 12in. pots. Thorough drainage is essential; arrange the crocks carefully, and place a layer of thin turfy loam over them. A compost of equal parts turfy loam, leaf mold, and fibrous peat, with an abundance of sand, will suit them admirably. Water sparingly at first, but when root-action is fully resumed, they must never be allowed to get dry. Support the stems by staking when they require it, and just previous to flowering, top-dress with some rotten manure and leaf soil. Occasional syringings will be necessary to keep down red spider, especially if the atmosphere is very dry. As the plants finish flowering, and the leaves fade, gradually diminish the supply of water until the stems are quite down, when they may be placed somewhere out of the way, free from frost, for the winter, but not kept dry enough to make them shrivel. In repotting, as much of the old soil as is practicable should be removed, without seriously disturbing the roots, and the plants shifted into larger or the same sized pots, according to their condition. Alströmerias were at one time much more largely grown than they are at present, and the genus was represented in nearly every garden.

=A. aurantiaca= (golden).* _fl._ orange; two upper perianth segments lanceolate, streaked with red; arranged in a five to six stalked umbel, bearing ten to fifteen blooms. Summer and autumn. _l._ numerous, linear-elliptical, obtuse, glaucous, twisted and turned back at the base, about 4-1/2in. long. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. Chili, 1831. A variable but very showy species, quite hardy. See Fig. 66.

=A. caryophyllæa= (clove-like scent).* _fl._ scarlet; very fragrant, perianth two-lipped; peduncles longer than the involucre. February and March. _l._ spathulate-oblong. Stem erect. _h._ 8in. to 12in. Brazil, 1776. This stove species requires perfect rest in winter. SYN. _A. Ligtu_.

=A. chilensis= (Chilian).* _fl._ blood-red or pink, large, the two upper interior petals longer and narrower, variegated with yellow lines; in pairs on a five to six stalked umbel. Summer and autumn. _l._ scattered, obovate, spathulate; upper ones lanceolate, twisted at the base, minutely fringed on the edges, glaucescent. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Chili, 1849. Hardy. There are many varieties of this species, varying in colour from a rosy white to a deep orange or red.

=A. densiflora= (thickly-flowered).* _fl._, perianth scarlet, dotted with black spots inside towards the base; umbels many-flowered, dense; pedicels pubescent, rarely bracteated. _l._ alternate, ovate, shortly acuminate, pubescent underneath. Stem climbing, glabrous. Peru, 1865. Tender species.

=A. Flos Martini= (St. Martin's flower). Synonymous with _A. pulchra_.

=A. Hookeri= (Hooker's). Synonymous with _A. Simsii_.

=A. Ligtu= (Ligtu). Synonymous with _A. caryophyllæa_.

=A. Pelegrina= (the native name).* _fl._ white, or pale yellow, striped with rose, and yellow spot on each segment; pedicels one-flowered, on a six or more stalked umbel. Summer. _l._ lanceolate, twisted at the base. _h._ 1ft. Chili, 1754. Rather tender. See Fig. 67.

=A. p. alba= (white).* Lily of the Incas. _fl._ white. Perhaps this is the most chaste of all the Alströmerias, and more tender than many others; it should have a specially warm spot, or the protection of glass. 1877.

=A. peruviana= (Peruvian). Synonymous with _A. versicolor_.

=A. psittacina= (parrot-like).* _fl._ bright crimson at the base, greenish upwards, spotted with purple; upper perianth segments slightly hooded, hence the specific name; umbels many-flowered; peduncles angular. September. _l._ oblong-lanceolate, acute, twisted at the base. Stem erect, spotted. _h._ 6ft. Mexico, 1829. Hardy.

=A. p. Erembaulti= (Erembault's). _fl._ white, spotted with purple. August. _h._ 2ft. 1833. A beautiful but rather tender hybrid.

=A. pulchella= (pretty). Synonymous with _A. Simsii_.

=A. pulchra= (fair).* St. Martin's Flower. _fl._ in umbels of from four to eight in each; the lower perianth segments purplish outside, and edges of a sulphur-white; the upper part of the upper segments of a fine yellow, dotted with deep red spots, the lower part of a flesh colour; pedicels twisted. _l._ linear lanceolate. Stem erect. _h._ 1ft. Chili, 1822. A beautiful species, but one requiring protection. SYNS. _A. Flos Martini_, _A. tricolor_.

=A. rosea= (rosy). A synonym of _A. Simsii_.

=A. Simsii= (Sims's).* _fl._ brilliant yellow, with red streaks, very showy; umbels many-flowered; peduncles two-flowered. June. _l._ spathulate, ciliated. Stem weak. _h._ 3ft. Chili, 1822. Tender species. SYNS. _A. Hookeri_, _A. pulchella_, _A. rosea_.

=A. tricolor= (three-coloured). A synonym of _A. pulchra_.

=A. versicolor= (various coloured).* _fl._ yellow, with purple marks; lowest segment the broadest; umbel of usually three shortly-stalked blooms, very floriferous. Late summer. _l._ linear-lanceolate, sessile, scattered. _h._ 2ft. to 4ft. Peru, 1831. This is a very robust species, with several beautiful varieties, which are both easily obtained and very cheap. SYN. _A. peruviana_. See Fig. 68.

=A. v. niveo-marginata= (snowy-margined).* _fl._ rose, crimson and white, with green tips and black spots. _l._ lanceolate, stalked, white-edged. 1875. A charming but scarce variety.

=ALTERNANTHERA= (in allusion to the anthers being alternately barren). ORD. _Amaranthaceæ_. Well known ornamental-leaved half-hardy plants, with inconspicuous flowers in axillary heads. Some of the undermentioned species and varieties belong, technically speaking, to _Telanthera_, in which genus the five stamens are inseparate below, and alternate with as many sterile filaments. They are so universally known in gardening under the present generic name, that we have here included them for convenience' sake. Where Alternantheras are used in large quantities (and if they are to be used effectively, a considerable number must be provided), their economical propagation becomes a matter of importance. A good colour can only be secured by growing them in some house or pit in the full light and warmth of the sun; for, unless so grown, green or badly coloured plants will be the result. The best and quickest way of producing this class of plants in large quantities, is to make up a special hotbed for them about the end of March or beginning of April. If a pit be used, it should be filled up within 6in. of the glass with leaves and manure, or any other material that will produce a steady bottom heat of 80deg. or 85deg., and will last for three weeks or so at that point; which, at this season, will be an easy matter. When the heat has become regular and steady, about 4in. or 5in. of light, rich, sandy soil should be placed all over the surface, adding, at the same time, a sprinkling of silver sand on the top, and pressing it moderately firm with a flat board. The cuttings may now be prepared and dibbled in, 1in. apart each way. If kept close, moist, and shaded from bright sunshine, in a few days they will be forming roots, and so soon as that takes place the shading should be discontinued, and the ventilation gradually increased until they are finally hardened off and planted out. If carefully lifted, and placed in trays or baskets, with a rhubarb leaf over them, they may be taken any distance, and planted without flagging; with this advantage-—that the plants being in good colour, the beds are effective at once. April is early enough to commence striking them, and these will be fit to plant out by the middle of June. The several species quoted in various dictionaries hitherto are unknown in English gardens.

=A. amabilis= (lovely).* _l._ elliptic, acuminate, greenish in some stages, with the principal ribs stained with red, but under free growth becoming almost entirely suffused with rose colour, mixed with orange, the midribs continuing to be of a deep red hue. Brazil, 1868.

=A. a. amœna= (charming).* _l._ small, spathulate, orange red and purple in colour, which is shaded with deep green and bronze. Brazil, 1865. A most elegant little plant, with a spreading habit.

=A. a. tricolor= (three-coloured).* _l._ broadly ovate, glabrous, dark green at the edge, and have a centre of vivid rose, traversed by purple veins, an irregular band of orange yellow intervening between the centre and margin. Brazil, 1862.

=A. Bettzichiana= (Bettzich's). _l._ olive and red. Brazil, 1862.

=A. B. spathulata= (spathulate-leaved). _l._ spathulate, but more elongated than the others; the principal colours are reddish pink and light brown; these are shaded with bronze and green. Brazil, 1865. A rather tall species.

=A. ficoidea= (fig-like).* _l._ variegated with green, rose, and red. India, 1865.

=A. paronychioides= (Paronychia-like).* _l._ narrow, spathulate, ground colour deep orange red, beautifully shaded with olive green. Dense and compact grower, forming a little clump about 4in. high.

=A. p. magnifica= (magnificent).* A very fine variety, with a much higher colour than the type.

=A. p. major= (greater).* _l._ bronze, with rich orange tips; very effective.

=A. p. m. aurea= (greater-golden).* _l._ bright golden yellow, which colour they retain all through the season.

=A. versicolor= (various-colour).* _l._ medium sized, ovate, bright rosy pink and crimson, shaded with bronzy green, branching freely, and making a compact and handsome plant. Brazil, 1865.

=ALTERNATE.= Placed on opposite sides of an axis on a different line, as in alternate leaves.

=ALTHÆA= (from _altheo_, to cure; in reference to the medicinal qualities of some of the species). Marsh Mallow. ORD. _Malvaceæ_. Hardy biennials or perennials, closely allied to _Malva_. Outer calyx six to nine-cleft, inner one five-cleft. Most species belonging to this genus are worthy of cultivation, particularly in woods, coppices, and shrubberies; they will thrive in almost any kind of soil. They may be either increased by dividing the plants at the roots, or by seeds; the biennial species must be raised from seed every year, which may be sown in spring where they are intended to remain, or in pans placed in a cold frame, from which the young plants may be removed when large enough.

=A. cannabina= (Hemp-leaved).* _fl._ rose-coloured; peduncles axillary, many-flowered, loose, longer than the leaves. June. _l._ pubescent, lower ones palmately-parted, upper ones three-parted; lobes narrow, and grossly toothed. _h._ 5ft. to 6ft. South France, 1597. Perennial.

=A. caribæa= (Caribean).* _fl._ rose coloured, with a yellow base, solitary, almost sessile. March. _l._ cordate, roundish, lobed, crenate-serrated. Stem straight, hispid. _h._ 3ft. Caribbee Islands, 1816. Biennial.

=A. ficifolia= (fig-leaved). Antwerp Hollyhock. _fl._ generally yellow or orange coloured, in terminal spikes, large, single or double. June. _l._ divided beyond the middle into seven lobes; lobes oblong, obtuse, irregularly toothed. _h._ 6ft. Siberia, 1597. Biennial.

=A. flexuosa= (zigzag).* _fl._ scarlet, axillary, solitary, stalked; petals obcordate. June. _l._ cordate, somewhat seven-lobed, obtuse, on long footstalks. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. North India, 1803. Perennial.

=A. frutex= (shrubby). Synonymous with _Hibiscus syriacus_.

=A. narbonensis= (Narbonne).* _fl._ pale red; peduncles many-flowered, loose, longer than the leaves. August. _l._ pubescent, lower ones five or seven-lobed, upper ones three-lobed. _h._ 3ft. to 6ft. France, 1780. Perennial.

=A. officinalis= (officinal). Common Marsh Mallow. _fl._ of a delicate, uniform blush colour; peduncles axillary, many-flowered, much shorter than the leaves. July. _l._ clothed with soft, white tomentum on both surfaces, cordate or ovate, toothed, undivided, or somewhat five-lobed. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. Marshes, Britain. Perennial. See Fig. 69.

=A. rosea= (rose).* Hollyhock. _fl._ rose-coloured, large, axillary, sessile, somewhat spiked at the top. July. _l._ cordate, with five or seven angles, crenated, rough. Stem straight, hairy. _h._ 8ft. China, 1573. For special culture and varieties, _see_ =Hollyhock=.

=A. striata= (streaked). _fl._ white, 2-1/2in. in diameter, solitary, on short pedicels; calyx striped. July. _l._ cordate, bluntly three-lobed, crenated. Stem puberulous, and somewhat scabrous. _h._ 5ft. Biennial.

=ALUMINOUS.= Pertaining to, or containing alum, or alumina; as Aluminous soils.

=ALUM-ROOT.= _See_ =Heuchera=.

=ALYSSUM= (from _a_, not, and _lyssa_, rage; in reference to a fable that the plant allayed anger). Madwort. Including _Psilonema_, _Ptilotrichum_, _Schivereckia_. ORD. _Cruciferæ_. Annuals or dwarf, branching, shrubby perennials, often clothed with hoary, stellate hairs. Flowers small, cruciform, white or yellow. Leaves distant, or the radical ones tufted, usually entire. Several of the species are very much alike. They are excellent plants for the rockery, or for the front of borders, growing freely in common but well-drained garden soil. They may be increased by cuttings, by division of the roots, or by seed. The cuttings should be made from young shoots, 2in. to 3in. in length, inserted in sandy loam, early in the season, in a shady place. Seed may be raised outside, or in a frame in pans in sandy soil, most of them germinating in two or three weeks.

=A. alpestre= (alpine).* _fl._ yellow; raceme simple. June. _l._ obovate, hoary. Stem rather shrubby at the base, diffuse, greyish. _h._ 3in. South Europe, 1777. Perennial. A very neat little tufted species. _A. argenteum_ (silvery), _A. Bertolonii_ (Bertoloni's), and _A. murale_ (wall), are larger growing species allied to the above, but of less cultural merit.

=A. a. obtusifolium= (obtuse-leaved). _fl._ yellow, corymbose. June. _l._ obovate-spathulate, blunt, silvery on the under surface. _h._ 3in. Tauria, 1828. A rare alpine.

=A. atlanticum= (Atlantic). _fl._ yellow; raceme simple. June. _l._ lanceolate, hoary, and pilose. Stems shrubby at the base, erect. _h._ 6in. to 1ft. S. Europe, 1820. _A. Marschallianum_ is intermediate between _A. alpestre_ and _A. a. obtusifolium_; but is seldom met with under cultivation.

=A. gemonense= (German).* _fl._ yellow, in close corymbs. April to June. _l._ lanceolate, entire, greyish-velvety from stellate down. Stem shrubby at the base. _h._ 1ft. Italy, 1710. Closely allied to _A. saxatile_, but not so hardy; it is very desirable for rockeries.

=A. macrocarpum= (large-fruited). _fl._ white, racemose. June. _l._ oblong, blunt, silvery. Stem shrubby, branched, somewhat spiny. _h._ 8in. South of France, 1828. _A. spinosa_ (thorny), and _A. halimifolia_ (purslane-leaved), are very like this species. _A. dasycarpum_ (thick-fruited) is an annual with yellow flowers.

=A. maritimum.= _See_ =Kœniga=.