Part 21

=AMOMUM= (from _a_, not, and _momos_, impurity; in reference to the quality of counteracting poison). ORD. _Zingiberaceæ_. Stove, deciduous, herbaceous perennials, chiefly aromatic, formerly used in embalming. Flowers produced close to the ground, in spikes or clusters, bracteate. Leaves distichous, sheathing at the base, lanceolate, entire. For culture, _see_ =Alpinia=.

=A. angustifolium= (narrow-leaved).* _fl._ sometimes of a uniform chrome-yellow, sometimes crimson, with the labellum of a yellow colour, more or less pale, and sometimes entirely crimson; scape naked, from 3in. to 8in. in length; spike capitate. July. _l._ linear-lanceolate. _h._ 8ft. Madagascar.

=A. Cardamomum= (Cardamom).* _fl._ brownish; lip three-lobed, spurred; scape compound, flexuous, procumbent. August. _h._ 8ft. East Indies, 1823.

=A. Danielli= (Daniel's). _fl._ 4in. across; outer sepals fine red; the spreading labellum whitish, tinged with rose and yellow; scape short, arising from the bottom of the stem. _l._ oblong-lanceolate, 9in. long. _h._ 2-1/2ft. Western Africa.

=A. grandiflorum= (large-flowered). _fl._ white, numerous, close; spike short. June. _l._ elliptic-lanceolate, pointed. _h._ 3ft. Sierra Leone, 1795.

=A. Granum Paradisi.=* Grains of Paradise. _fl._ white, tinged with yellow and rose. _l._ elliptic-lanceolate, long-pointed. Stems very red at base, and dull purplish-red above from the long, sheathing leafstalks. _h._ 3ft. West Africa.

=A. Melegueta= (Melegueta).* Grains of Paradise. _fl._ pale pink, solitary, with an orbicular, irregularly toothed lip. May. _l._ narrow, linear-elliptic, distichous, sessile. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Sierra Leone, 1869. Habit creeping.

=A. sceptrum= (sceptre). _fl._ bright rose purple, large, sub-erect; the most conspicuous portion is the lip, which is 2-1/2in. in diameter; flower-scapes 6in. high. January. _l._ narrow, oblong-lanceolate. _h._ 5ft. to 6ft. Old Calabar, 1863.

=A. vitellinum= (yolk-of-egg-coloured). _fl._ yellow; lip oblong, obtuse, toothed; spike oblong, sessile, rather loose. April. _l._ oval. _h._ 2ft. East Indies, 1846. Plant stemless, glabrous.

=AMORPHA= (from _a_, not, and _morphe_, form; incomplete formation of the flowers). Bastard Indigo. ORD. _Leguminosæ_. A handsome genus of hardy deciduous shrubs with very graceful impari-pinnate leaves, and many pairs of leaflets, which are full of pellucid dots. Racemes spicate, elongated, usually in fascicles at the tops of the branches; corolla without wings and keel; vexillum or standard ovate, concave. They are well adapted for small shrubberies, requiring a sheltered situation, and thrive well in common garden soil. Increased by layers, or cuttings, taken off at a joint, and planted in a sheltered situation early in autumn; these should be allowed to remain undisturbed till the following autumn. Amorphas produce an abundance of suckers, from which they may be readily propagated.

=A. canescens= (hoary).* The Lead Plant. _fl._ dark blue. July. _l._, leaflets ovate-elliptic, mucronate. _h._ 3ft. Missouri, 1812. Whole plant clothed with hoary hairs.

=A. fruticosa= (shrubby).* The False Indigo. _fl._ very dark bluish purple. June. _l._, leaflets elliptic-oblong; lower ones distant from the stem. _h._ 6ft. Carolina, 1724. Shrub glabrous, or a little villous. There are several varieties, having mucronate, emarginate, or narrower leaflets, but all with purple flowers. A host of names, representing the merest forms of _A. fruticosa_, are to be found in nurserymen's catalogues. Amongst them are: _caroliniana_, _crocea_, _crocea-lanata_, _dealbata_, _fragrans_, _glabra_, _herbacea_, _nana_, _pubescens_, &c. These differ so slightly from the type and from each other, that it is impossible to distinguish them.

=AMORPHOPHALLUS= (from _amorphos_, deformed, and _phallos_, a mace; alluding to the inflorescence). SYN. _Pythion_. Including _Proteinophallus_. ORD. _Aroideæ (Araceæ)_. A very remarkable genus, closely allied to _Arum_, but distinguished therefrom by "their spreading, not convolute, spathes; by their anthers opening by pores, not by longitudinal slits; by the numerous cells to the ovary; and by the solitary, erect ovules, those of _Arum_ being horizontal." A soil consisting of two-thirds good rich loam, with the additional third of sweet manure, thoroughly rotted, suits them well. Other essentials are plenty of pot room, a genial atmosphere, and a temperature ranging from 55deg. to 65deg., or even 70deg. They require to be kept dry, and warm in winter, as nothing is more fatal to them than cold or damp. Beneath a shelf or stage in the stove is an excellent spot for them, or they may be stored in sand, and kept free from frost. They are difficult to increase; the corms of most of them are of great size, and rarely make offsets. Efforts should consequently be made to induce the plants to seed whenever practicable. All the species are strikingly effective in sub-tropical bedding. For fertilising and growth of seedlings, _see_ =Arum=.

=A. campanulatus= (bell-shaped).* Similar to _A. Rivieri_, but the flowers are brown, red, and black, and the scape is neither so stout nor so tall. _h._ 2ft. India, 1817. SYN. _Arum campanulatum_.

=A. grandis= (large). _fl._, spathe green, white inside; spadix purplish. _h._ 3ft. Java, 1865. Stove species.

=A. Lacourii= (Lacour's).* _l._ pedatisect, the ultimate segments lanceolate, yellow-spotted; petioles transversely mottled with yellow markings. Cochin China, 1879. Greenhouse. The correct name of this species is _Pseudodracontium Lacourii_.

=A. nivosus.= _See_ =Dracontium asperum=.

=A. Rivieri= (Rivier's).* _fl._, spadix, spathe, and scape, reaching 3ft. or more in height, appearing before the leaves; scape stout and strong, of a deep green colour, speckled or dotted with rose; spadix projecting, deep red; spathe of a rosy-green colour. March to May. _l._ solitary, decompound, 40in. to 50in. across, on tall marbled petioles. Cochin China. Perhaps the most useful species. SYN. _Proteinophallus Rivieri_. See Fig. 78.

=A. Titanum= (Titan's).* _fl._, spadix 5ft. high, black purple; spathe nearly 3ft. in diameter, campanulate in shape, with patent and deeply toothed edges. The deeper portion of the interior is pale greenish, but the limb is of a bright black purple hue; the outside is pale green, smooth in the lower portion, but thickly corrugated and crisp above; scape about 1-1/2ft. long, green, marked with small whitish orbicular spots. _l._ the divided blade covers an area of 45ft. in circumference. West Sumatra, 1878. As will be seen from the above, this extraordinary plant is of gigantic proportions, and, in size of the flowers, eclipsing nearly all others in the vegetable kingdom. SYN. _Conophallus Titanum_.

=AMORPHOUS.= Without definite form.

=AMPELOPSIS= (from _ampelos_, a vine, and _opsis_, resemblance; resembling the Grape Vine in habit, and to which it is closely allied). SYN. _Quinaria_. ORD. _Ampelideæ_. A genus nearly allied to _Vitis_. Calyx slightly five toothed; petals concave, thick, expanding before they fall; disk none. Fast growing and ornamental climbing, hardy deciduous shrubs, of very easy culture in common garden soil. Cuttings, having a good eye, may be taken in September, and pricked either under handlights in sandy soil on the open border, or in pots stood on the stage or shelf in a greenhouse; they root readily, and will be fit for transplanting early in the spring. Or cuttings made from the young soft wood, expressly grown for the purpose, in spring, root freely in gentle heat. This applies especially to _A. tricuspidata_. They are also easily increased by layers. Most of the species will thrive with equal vigour in almost any position, however exposed.

=A. aconitifolia= (Aconite-leaved).* _l._ palmisect, with pinnatifid segments. China, 1868. A slender and very elegant free-growing species, with long reddish branches. There are two or more varieties. SYNS. _A. lucida_, _A. triloba_, _A. tripartita_, and _Vitis dissecta_. See Fig. 79.

=A. bipinnata= (bipinnate). _fl._ green, small; raceme stalked, twice bifid. Berries globose. June. _l._ bipinnate, smooth; leaflets deeply lobed. _h._ 10ft. Virginia, 1700.

=A. hederacea= (Ivy-leaved). Synonymous with _A. quinquefolia_.

=A. japonica= (Japanese). Synonymous with _A. tricuspidata_.

=A. lucida= (shining). Synonymous with _A. aconitifolia_.

=A. napiformis= (turnip-like).* Greenish. China, 1870. See Fig. 80.

=A. quinquefolia= (five-leaved).* Virginian Creeper. _fl._ greenish-purple; raceme corymbose. June. _l._ palmate, with three and five leaflets, smooth on both surfaces; leaflets stalked, oblong-acuminated, mucronately toothed; autumnal tint red. North America, 1629. SYN. _A. hederacea_.

=A. q. hirsuta= (hairy). _l._ downy on both surfaces.

=A. serjaniæfolia= (Serjania-leaved).* _l._ green, palmately five-parted, or the upper ones three-parted, the intermediate division being often ternate or pinnate; leaflets obovate acute, and incisely toothed or sublobate; the rachis is articulately winged. Japan, 1867. SYNS. _A. tuberosa_, _Cissus viticifolia_. Roots tuberous; see Fig. 81.

=A. tricuspidata= (three-pointed).* _l._ very variable in shape; younger ones almost entire; older ones larger, roundish-cordate, divided to the middle into three deltoid lobes, which run into little tails, and are coarsely toothed at the margin. Japan, 1868. SYNS. _A. Veitchii_, _Vitis japonica_ (of gardens).

=A. triloba= (three-lobed). A synonym of _A. aconitifolia_.

=A. tripartita= (three-parted). A synonym of _A. aconitifolia_.

=A. tuberosa= (tuberous). A synonym of _A. serjaniæfolia_.

=A. Veitchii= (Veitch's). A synonym of _A. tricuspidata_.

=AMPHIBLEMMA CYMOSUM.= _See_ =Melastoma corymbosum=.

=AMPHIBLESTRA.= Included under =Pteris= (which _see_).

=AMPHICARPÆA= (from _amphi_, both, and _karpos_, a fruit; in allusion to the two kinds of pods--those of the upper flowers being scimitar-shaped, three or four-seeded; those of the lower, pear-shaped, fleshy, usually ripening but one seed; these lower pods bury themselves in the ground after fertilisation). ORD. _Leguminosæ_. A genus of ornamental annuals, with herbaceous, twining stems, and sometimes apetalous flowers, allied to _Wistaria_. The species are of easy culture. Seeds should be sown in the open border, in spring, in a sunny situation.

=A. monoica= (monœcious). Hog Pea-nut. _fl._ with a pale violet vexillum, and white keel and wings; racemes axillary, pendulous. June to August. _l._ pinnately-trifoliate; leaflets ovate, glabrous. North America. 1781.

=AMPHICOME= (from _amphi_, on both sides, and _kome_, a head of hair; in reference to the seeds being furnished with a tuft of hairs at both ends). ORD. _Bignoniaceæ_. Flowers axillary or terminal. Leaves alternate, unequally pinnate. Very ornamental greenhouse or half-hardy rock herbaceous plants. If planted outside, they must be protected during the winter from wet and severe frosts. A mixture of loam, sand, and leaf soil suits them well. Increased by striking the young shoots in spring in sandy soil in gentle heat; or by seed, which should be sown in early spring, in pots of sandy soil placed in a greenhouse.

=A. arguta= (finely-cut).* _fl._ red, drooping; racemes axillary, terminal; corolla tubular near the base, ventricose above. August. _l._ alternate, impari-pinnate; leaflets opposite, on short petioles, three to four pairs, lanceolate, acuminated, deeply serrated. _h._ 3ft. Himalaya, 1837.

=A. Emodi= (Emodian).* _fl._ rose and orange, erect; racemes axillary; corolla 1-1/2in. to 2in. long, bell-shaped, slightly tubular below. August to October. _l._ impari-pinnate, with numerous leaflets. _h._ 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. India, at high altitudes, 1852. A very beautiful plant.

=AMPHILOPHIUM= (from _amphilophos_, crested on all sides; limb of corolla much curled). SYN. _Amphilobium_. ORD. _Bignoniaceæ_. A handsome stove evergreen climber. Corolla somewhat coriaceous, with a short tube, and a large ventricose throat. Loam and peat, well mixed, suits it best; cuttings from young shoots root readily in sand, under a hand glass, with bottom heat, during the spring months.

=A. paniculatum= (panicled).* _fl._ rose-coloured; panicle terminal, composed of three-flowered peduncles. June. _l._ joined by pairs, opposite; leaflets ovate-roundish, acuminated, sub-cordate. West Indies, 1738.

=AMPLEXICAULIS.= Embracing the stem; usually applied to leaves.

=AMPULLACEOUS.= Resembling a bladder or flask.

=AMSONIA= (in honour of Charles Amson, a scientific traveller in America). ORD. _Apocynaceæ_. Very pretty hardy, herbaceous perennials, with alternate leaves, and terminal panicles of pale blue flowers; corolla with linear lobes, and a narrow funnel-shaped tube. They thrive in half shady positions in borders, or the edges of shrubberies, where they will not need to be frequently transplanted. Propagated by cuttings during the summer months, or by divisions of the roots in spring.

=A. latifolia= (broad-leaved). Synonymous with _A. Tabernæmontana_.

=A. salicifolia= (willow-leaved).* _fl._ light blue, in terminal corymbose cymes; corolla small, funnel-shaped, with a rounded tube; throat whitish, bearded. Summer. _l._ lanceolate, smooth, acute. _h._ 1-1/2ft. to 2-1/2ft. North America, 1812. Habit less erect than the following species. See Fig. 82.

=A. Tabernæmontana= (Tabernæmontanus).* _fl._ pale blue, in cymes; petals lanceolate, acute, slightly hairy on the outside; sepals also lanceolate, acute. Summer. _l._ ovate-lanceolate, acute, shortly stalked. _h._ 1-1/2ft. to 2-1/2ft. North America, 1759. SYNS. _A. latifolia_, _Tabernæmontana Amsonia_.

=AMYGDALUS= (from _amysso_, to lacerate; fissured channels in the stone of the fruit). Almond. ORD. _Rosaceæ_. TRIBE _Drupaceæ_. Well known, ornamental, deciduous spring flowering shrubs. Drupe clothed with velvety pubescence, with a fibrous dry rind, separating irregularly, having the stone of the fruit pitted or smooth. The larger-growing species are very excellent for shrubberies, or as specimen trees; being in blossom before most other trees, they make a fine appearance in early spring. The dwarfer kinds are also well fitted for small shrubberies or the fronts of large ones. For greenhouse culture they should be obtained in a small pyramidal shape; they are not, however, suited to a small house, as the plants, to bloom well and be effective, ought to be at least 2ft. or 3ft. high, and proportionately wide. Plenty of root room is essential. After potting, water thoroughly, and place the trees in an orchard house for a few weeks, when they may be removed to their permanent station. A temperature of about 50deg. or 55deg. is sufficient to hasten the flowering; a higher temperature is apt to frustrate the object in view. After flowering, gradually harden off the plants until about the end of May, when they may be plunged out of doors for the season. Repotting should be done as soon as the leaves fall. Increased by budding upon seedling plum-stocks in summer. The Almond is grown on the Continent for its fruit. _See also_ =Prunus=.

=A. argentea= (silvery). A synonym of _A. orientalis_.

=A. Besseriana= (Besser's). A synonym of _A. nana_.

=A. cochinchinensis= (Cochin China). _fl._ white; racemes small, sub-terminal. _fr._ ovate, ventricose, acute at the apex. March. _l._ oval, quite entire. _h._ 30ft. to 40ft. Cochin China, 1825. Greenhouse.

=A. communis= (common).* Common Almond. _fl._ white or rose coloured, solitary. March. _fr._ compressed, egg-shaped, tomentose. _l._ oblong lanceolate, serrulated. _h._ 10ft. to 30ft. Barbary, 1548. See Fig. 83.

=A. c. amara= (bitter).* Bitter Almond. _fl._ larger, white, but rose coloured at the base. April. Seeds bitter.

=A. c. dulcis= (sweet). Sweet Almond. _fl._ red, earlier; fruit ovate, compressed, acuminated. Seeds sweet. _l._ of a greyish green colour.

=A. c. flore-pleno= (double-blossomed).* _fl._ flesh colour, full double, rosy in the bud. _l._ oval-elliptic, acuminate.

=A. c. fragilis= (brittle). _fl._ pale rose coloured, rising with the leaves; petals broader, deeply emarginate. _l._ shorter than those of the type.

=A. c. macrocarpa= (large-fruited).* _fl._ whitish rose colour, large, rising before the leaves, with broadly obcordate undulated petals. _fr._ larger than that of the type, umbilicate at the base, but acuminated at the apex. _l._ broader than the type, acuminated. There are also numerous other varieties.

=A. incana= (hoary).* _fl._ red, solitary. April. Drupe compressed, pubescent. _l._ obovate, serrated, clothed with white tomentum beneath. _h._ 2ft. A handsome dwarf shrub. Caucasus, 1815.

=A. nana= (dwarf).* _fl._ rose coloured, solitary. March. _fr._ of the same form as that of _A. communis_, but much smaller. _l._ oblong-linear, attenuated at the base, serrated, quite glabrous. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Tartary, 1683. SYN. _A. Besseriana_.

=A. orientalis= (Oriental). _fl._ rose coloured. March. _fr._ mucronate. _l._ lanceolate, quite entire, almost permanent, clothed with silvery tomentum, as well as the branches. _h._ 2ft. to 4ft. Levant, 1756. SYN. _A. argentea_.

=AMYLACEOUS.= Starch-like.

=AMYRIDACEÆ.= _See_ =Burseraceæ=.

=AMYRIS= (from _a_, intensive, and _myron_, balm; the whole of the trees in this genus smell strongly of balm or myrrh). ORD. _Burseraceæ_. Ornamental stove evergreen trees, abounding in a resinous fluid. Flowers white, disposed in panicles. Leaves unequally pinnate. They thrive well in a mixture of loam and peat; and cuttings root freely in sand, under a hand glass with bottom heat, during the spring months.

=A. balsamifera= (balsam-bearing). Synonymous with _A. toxifera_.

=A. braziliensis= (Brazilian).* _fl._ white; panicles axillary, shorter than the leaves. August. _l._ with one to three pairs of opposite leaflets; leaflets lanceolate, tapering to the base, rounded at the apex, mucronate, quite entire, veiny, shining above, discoloured beneath. _h._ 20ft. Brazil, 1823.

=A. heptaphylla= (seven-leaved). _fl._ whitish yellow; panicles branched, axillary, and terminal. _l._ with three to four pairs of alternate, simple leaflets, which are stalked, obliquely-lanceolate, acuminated, entire. _h._ 16ft. India, 1823.

=A. Plumieri= (Plumier's).* Gum Elemi Tree. _fl._ white; panicles branched, terminal. The fruit of this species is the shape and size of an olive, but red, having an odoriferous pulp within it. _l._ leaflets three to five, all stalked, somewhat serrated, ovate, acuminate, villous beneath. _h._ 20ft. West Indies, 1820.

=A. toxifera= (poison-bearing).* _fl._ white; racemes simple, about the length of the petioles. _fr._ the shape of a pear, and of a purple colour, hanging in bunches. _l._, leaflets five to seven, stalked, ovate, somewhat cordate, acuminated. _h._ 50ft. West Indies, 1818. The wood, known as Rhodes Wood, bears a fine polish, and has a pleasant smell. SYN. _A. balsamifera_.

=ANACAMPSEROS= (from _anakampto_, to cause return, and _eros_, love). SYN. _Rulingia_. ORD. _Portulacaceæ_. Very dwarf greenhouse succulent herbs or sub-shrubs, natives of the Cape of Good Hope. Flowers large, expanding only in the heat of the sun; petals five, very fugacious; sepals five, opposite, oblong, rather concrete at the base; pedicels one-flowered, short or elongated, disposed in racemes. Leaves ovate, fleshy. They grow freely in sandy loam, mixed with some lime rubbish; but little water is needed. Cuttings root freely if laid to dry a few days before planting. Leaves taken off close to the plants, and also left to dry for a short time before being planted, will take root. Seed, when obtainable, should be sown in the spring.

=A. arachnoides= (cobwebbed).* _fl._ white; petals lanceolate; racemes simple. July. _l._ ovate, acuminated, difformed, green, shining, cobwebbed. _h._ 6in. to 9in. 1790.

=A. filamentosa= (thready). _fl._ reddish, or deep rose coloured; petals oblong. August. _l._ ovate-globose, gibbous on both sides, and cobwebbed, rather rugged above. _h._ 6in. to 1ft. 1795.

=A. intermedia= (intermediate). Very like _A. filamentosa_, but has broader and more numerous leaves.

=A. rubens= (reddish).* _fl._ red; racemes simple. July. _l._ ovate, difformed, shining, dark green, somewhat reflexed at the apex. _h._ 6in. to 9in. 1796.

=A. rufescens= (rusty-coloured). _fl._ reddish, similarly disposed to _A. varians_. July. _l._ crowded, expanded and recurved, ovate, acute, thick, green, usually dark purple beneath. _h._ 6in. 1818.

=A. Telephiastrum= (Telephium-like). Synonymous with _A. varians_.

=A. varians= (varying).* _fl._ reddish; racemes few-flowered, sub-panicled. July. _l._ ovate, difformed, glabrous. _h._ 3in. 1813. SYN. _A. Telephiastrum_.

=ANACAMPTIS.= _See_ =Orchis=.

=ANACARDIACEÆ.= A rather large order of trees or shrubs, with a resinous, milky juice. Flowers inconspicuous. Leaves generally dotless. Ovary containing a single ovule. This order contains, among other genera, _Anacardium_, _Mangifera_, and _Rhus_.

=ANACARDIUM= (origin doubtful; probably from _ana_, like, and _kardia_, the heart; in reference to the form of the nut). ORD. _Anacardiaceæ_. An ornamental stove evergreen tree with entire, feather-nerved leaves and terminal panicles of flowers; nut reniform, umbilicated, seated laterally on a fleshy, wide, pear-shaped peduncle. It requires a light loamy soil. Ripened cuttings, with their leaves left on, root freely in sand under a hand glass, in heat.

=A. occidentale= (Western). Cashew Nut. _fl._ reddish, small, very sweet scented, succeeded by an edible pome-like fruit of a yellow or red colour. _l._ oval, cuneated, very blunt, somewhat emarginate, obovate-oblong, entire, smooth. _h._ 16ft. West Indies, 1699.

=ANADENIA.= _See_ =Grevillea=.

=ANAGALLIS= (from _anagelas_, to laugh; removing despondency: meaning doubtful). Pimpernel. ORD. _Primulaceæ_. Annual or perennial trailers with angular stems, opposite or verticillate leaves, and solitary pedunculate flowers; corolla rotate or funnel-shaped, deeply five-cleft. All are very pretty and free flowering plants, of easy culture. The annuals are raised from seed sown in a sunny spot in spring; the perennials are increased by striking cuttings of the young shoots, or division, at any time, either under a hand glass or in a close frame. Keep in the shade until well established, and gradually harden off. Plant outside in light rich soil for summer flowering, and each year secure a stock in frames during the winter. They require, if left out of doors, a protection during the winter, except _A. tenella_.

=A. fruticosa= (shrubby).* _fl._ axillary, large, vermilion, with a dark throat. May to August. _l._ verticillate, four in each whorl. _h._ 2ft. Morocco, 1803. A biennial.