Part 4

=A. niger= (black). _fl._ purplish white. July to September. _l._ sinuated, unarmed, glabrous, shining green. _h._ 3ft. Portugal, 1759.

=A. spinosissimus= (most spiny).* _fl._ rosy, sessile, on a very handsome spike, with acute, recurved spines. Autumn. _l._ laciniate, pinnatifid, blistered, spiny; spines white. _h._ 3-1/2ft. South Europe, 1629.

=A. spinosus= (spiny).* _fl._ purplish, spicate; sepals spiny. Summer. _l._ deeply and regularly cut, each division terminated by a short spine. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. South Europe. See Fig. 9.

=ACAULESCENT.= With apparently no stem.

=ACCESSORY.= Something additional, not usually present.

=ACCRETE.= Fastened with another body, and growing with it.

=ACCUMBENT.= Lying against anything, in distinction to _incumbent_, or lying upon.

=ACER=, (from _acer_, hard or sharp; wood is extremely hard, and was formerly much used for making pikes and lances). Maple. ORD. _Sapindaceæ_. A genus comprised, for the most part, of handsome hardy deciduous shrubs, or trees, adapted for forming shrubberies, plantations, &c. Flowers greenish, except where mentioned. _A. Pseudo-platanus_ is one of our most useful forest trees. Several of the species produce very useful timber; sugar is one of the constituent parts of the sap of all of them, and is obtained in large quantities from _A. saccharinum_, in North America. They all prefer a somewhat sheltered position. The most satisfactory soil is one free, deep, loamy, and well drained; the latter is especially desirable with some of the Japanese varieties. The varieties of _A. japonicum_, and _palmatum_ are well worth growing in pots for conservatory decoration. Propagation: By seeds, sown either in autumn or spring, covering them not more than a 1/4in. deep; the common varieties may be sown outside, while the rarer ones should be sown in a frame. By layers, and by grafting; the latter method is adopted with many of the rarer species and varieties, especially the variegated kinds; they are also readily increased by budding in summer.

=A. austriacum= (Austrian). Synonymous with _A. campestre austriacum_.

=A. campestre= (field).* Common Maple. _fl._ on erect racemes. May. _fr._ wings of fruit much divaricated. _l._ small, cordate, with five-toothed lobes. _h._ 20ft. Britain. A small tree with rough bark, full of deep fissures; wood often beautifully veined, when it is highly valued.

=A. c. austriacum= (Austrian).* _fl._ much larger than those of the species. _fr._ smooth. Lobes of leaves somewhat acuminated. SYN. _A. austriacum_.

=A. c. collinum= (hill-loving).* _fl._ smaller. _fr._ smooth. Lobes of leaves obtuse. France.

=A. c. hebecarpum= (downy-fruited).* _fr._ clothed with velvety pubescence.

=A. c. lævigatum= (smooth-leaved). _l._ very smooth and shining.

=A. c. nanum= (dwarf). Dwarf habit.

=A. c. tauricum= (Taurian).* _l._ larger and less divided than in the species.

=A. c. variegatum= (variegated).* _l._ beautifully variegated with blotches and stripes of white or whitish yellow; very distinct.

=A. circinatum= (circinate).* _fl._ deep red, umbellate. April. _l._ seven to nine-lobed, serrulated. _h._ 5ft. to 6ft. North West America, 1827. A very beautiful species, having pendulous branches clothed with leaves, which change into a bright scarlet colour in the autumn.

=A. creticum= (Cretan). _fl._ on few-flowered erect corymbs. May. _fr._ smooth, with the wings hardly diverging. _l._ cuneated at the base, acutely three-lobed at the top. _h._ 4ft. Levant, 1752. Nearly evergreen.

=A. dasycarpum= (thick-fruited).* _fl._ conglomerate, on short pedicels, apetalous. April. _l._ truncate at the base, palmately five-lobed, with blunt recesses, and unequally and deeply-toothed lobes. _h._ 40ft. North America, 1725. SYNS. _A. eriocarpon_, _A. tomentosum_, _A. glaucum_, and _A. virginianum_.

=A. Douglasii= (Douglas). Synonymous with _A. glabrum_.

=A. eriocarpon= (hairy-fruited). Synonymous with _A. dasycarpum_.

=A. Ginnala= (Ginnalian).* _fl._ on compound, crowded, erect racemes. Amur River. This is generally classed as a variety of _A. tartaricum_, but its habit is much more graceful, and in this form the leaves are prettily cut and lobed, whilst the leafstalks and midrib are more deeply coloured.

=A. glabrum= (smooth).* _fl._ corymbose, on short two-leaved branchlets, greenish-yellow. June. _l._ roundish-cordate, deeply three to five-lobed, or partite; the lobes biserrate, of a light green. _h._ 15ft. to 30ft. North West America. SYNS. _A. Douglasii_, _A. tripartitum_.

=A. glaucum= (glaucous). Synonymous with _A. dasycarpum_.

=A. heterophyllum= (various-leaved).* _fl._ corymbose. May. _l._ small, ovate, entire, and three-lobed, slightly serrated, smooth. _h._ 4ft. Levant, 1759. An evergreen. SYN. _A. sempervirens_.

=A. ibericum= (Iberian). _fl._ corymbose. May. _l._ bluntly three-lobed; lobes with one or two teeth, lateral ones marked with the middle nerve to the insertion of the petiole. _h._ 20ft. Iberia, 1826.

=A. japonicum= (Japanese).* _fl._ deep purplish-red, large. April. _l._ many-lobed, in early spring very light green. _h._ 20ft. Japan, 1863. The varieties of this species, although not well fixed in many cases, rank amongst the most handsome of the deciduous small shrubs grown, but often change in character as they attain any considerable size. Plants from 1-1/2ft. to 3ft. high are very useful in cool conservatories, and in the highly kept grounds surrounding the house.

=A. laurifolium= (laurel-leaved). Synonymous with _A. oblongum_.

=A. Lobelii= (Lobel's). _l._ very slightly heart-shaped, irregularly toothed, five-lobed; lobes more or less abruptly pointed.

=A. macrophyllum= (large-leaved).* _fl._ on erect, compound, racemes. May. _l._ digitately five-palmate, with roundish recesses; lobes somewhat three-lobed. _h._ 60ft. Northern California, 1812.

=A. monspessulanum= (Montpelier).* _fl._ on few-flowered corymbs, erect. May. _l._ cordate, three-lobed; lobes almost or quite entire, equal. _h._ 10ft. to 20ft. South Europe, 1739.

=A. montanum= (mountain). _fl._ on compound, erect racemes. May. _l._ cordate, three or slightly five-lobed, unequally and coarsely serrated. _h._ 18ft. Canada, 1750. SYN. _A. spicatum_.

=A. Negundo.= _See_ =Negundo fraxinifolium=.

=A. oblongum= (oblong). _fl._ on compound racemes, pale yellow. February. _l._ oblong-lanceolate, acuminated, quite entire. _h._ 20ft. Nepaul, 1824. SYN. _A. laurifolium_.

=A. obtusifolium= (obtuse-leaved). _fl._ drooping, corymbose. May. _l._ rounded, bluntly three-lobed, crenately serrulate, about the length of the petioles. _h._ 15ft. Crete.

=A. Opalus= (Opalus). A synonym of _A. opulifolium_.

=A. opulifolium= (Guelder-rose-leaved).* _fl._ on nearly sessile corymbs. May. Ovaries and fruit smooth. _l._ cordate, five-lobed; lobes obtuse, bluntly and coarsely toothed. _h._ 8ft. France, 1823. SYN. _A. Opalus_.

=A. o. obtusatum= (bluntish).* A larger, strong growing, round-headed tree, with dark green leaves, which are covered with a whitish or rusty tomentum on the under surface.

=A. palmatum= (palmate-leaved).* _fl._ on five to seven-flowered umbels. May. _l._ palmately divided into five to seven lobes beyond the middle; lobes oblong, acuminated, serrated. _h._ 20ft. Japan, 1820.

=A. p. atropurpureum= (dark purple).* A vigorous handsome plant, with bold dark purple foliage. Japan.

=A. p. crispum= (crispy or waved).* _l._ green, with red stalked, convoluted edges. Japan, 1871. Very distinct, and like a miniature Lombardy poplar in habit of growth.

=A. p. dissectum= (finely-divided).* _fl._ red, on terminal-stalked racemes, five to six-flowered. May. _l._ nine to ten parted; lobes oblong, acuminated, deeply serrated. _h._ 30ft. Japan, 1845.

=A. p. ornatum= (beautiful).* Very ornamental, having finely cut deep red leaves, with lighter midribs. Japan, 1871. This variety is also known as _dissectum_.

=A. p. palmatifidum= (palmatifid).* _l._ very finely palmately divided, the lobes cut down quite to the midrib, of a beautiful light green colour. 1875.

=A. p. reticulatum= (netted).* _l._ palmately seven-lobed; lobes unequal, sharply serrate, emerald green, with dark green veins. Japan, 1875. A very elegant variety, with slender branches.

=A. p. roseo-marginatum= (rose-margined).* _l._ freely divided, the lobes deeply cut, light green, margined with rose. Japan, 1874. A very distinct and charming variety.

=A. p. sanguineum= (blood-red).* _l._ deeply five-lobed, the lobes serrated, of a deep reddish-crimson colour, much brighter than the variety _atropurpureum_. 1874. This presents a very striking contrast to the last.

=A. p. septemlobum= (seven-lobed).* _fl._ purplish, on numerous flowered umbels. Spring. _l._ varying much, from palmately five-lobed, with toothed undivided lobes, to deeply seven to nine-lobed, with more or less finely cut divisions. Japan, 1864. There are numerous beautiful forms of this variety.

There are many varieties of this much varying species, but we have only mentioned those best known; many are only known by their native names, and there is some doubt as to their distinctive characteristics. They are all extremely handsome.

=A. pennsylvanicum= (Pennsylvanian).* _fl._ in long drooping, simple racemes. May. _l._ cordate, three-lobed, acuminated, finely and acutely serrated. _h._ 20ft. Trunk elegantly striped with white lines. North America, 1755. SYN. _A. striatum_.

=A. pictum= (painted).* _fl._ corymbose, stalked. _l._ five to seven-lobed; lobes triangular or oblong, entire, acuminated. _h._ 15ft. to 20ft. Temperate Asia, 1840. _A. p. connivens_ (converging), _A. p. marmoratum_ (spotted), _A. p. rubrum_ (red), and _A. p. variegatum_ (variegated), are varieties differing principally in the colouring of the leaves. All are very desirable.

=A. platanoides= (plane-like).* The Norway Maple. _fl._ on nearly erect stalked corymbs. May, June. _l._ cordate, smooth, five-lobed; lobes acuminated, with a few coarse acute teeth. _h._ 50ft. Europe, 1683. A very ornamental hardy tree, growing with great rapidity when young. It prefers a deep, well-drained soil.

=A. p. aureo variegatum= (golden-variegated).* _l._ variegated with yellow. Europe, 1383. This, to retain the variegation, requires to be propagated by budding or grafting. The same remarks are equally applicable to the other varieties.

=A. p. laciniatum= (cut-leaved).* _l._ deeply and variously cut, green and yellow.

=A. p. Schwedleri= (Schwedler's).* _l._ very large, deep bronzy-red. A vigorous grower, and most effective.

=A. p. variegatum= (variegated).* _l._ variegated with white. There are several other varieties, but of less importance than the foregoing.

=A. Pseudo-platanus= (Mock-plane tree).* Sycamore. _fl._ on rather compound pendulous racemes. May. _l._ cordate, with five acuminated unequally-toothed lobes. _h._ 30ft. to 60ft. Europe. There are few deciduous trees so well adapted for standing singly in rough exposed situations. A deep, soft, dry soil is most suitable for it, but it will grow in soils of very opposite qualities.

=A. P. albo variegata= (white-variegated).* A very beautiful form, in spring especially. _l._ white and green.

=A. P. flavo variegata= (yellow-variegated). _l._ variegated with yellow.

=A. P. longifolia= (long-leaved).* _l._ more deeply cut, and the petioles much longer than in the species.

=A. P. purpureum= (purple).* _l._ purple underneath. The tree, when slightly ruffled by the wind, alternately appearing clothed in purple and pale green. Numerous other varieties of more or less excellence are grown.

=A. rubrum= (red).* Scarlet Maple. _fl._ scarlet, handsome, conglomerate, corymbose. _l._ cordate at the base, deeply and unequally toothed, palmately five-lobed, with acute recesses. Branches and fruit also scarlet. _h._ 20ft. Canada, 1656. A variety with leaves splashed with yellow is rare. An excellent species, thriving well in damp, swampy situations, and is commonly increased by layers.

=A. rufinerve= (red-nerved).* "The leaves vary both in size and outline, from 2-1/2in. to 4in. each way; three to five-lobed, with irregularly toothed margins, glabrous above, but with reddish hairs along the nerves beneath. The young branches are conspicuous on account of the bluish-grey glaucescence with which they are covered."

=A. r. albo-limbatum= (white-margined).* differs only from the species in having a very distinct white margin--not always constant. Japan, 1869.

=A. saccharinum= (Sugar Maple).* _fl._ yellow, on drooping corymbs, on short peduncles; pedicels pilose. April. _l._ cordate, smooth, palmately five-lobed; lobes accuminated, sinuately toothed. _h._ 40ft. N. America, 1735.

=A. s. nigrum= (blackish).* _fl._ on sessile corymbs, nodding. April, May. _l._ cordate, with the recess closed; palmately five-lobed. _h._ 40ft. North America, 1812.

=A. Semenovi= (Semenov's).* A slender and graceful species, with leaves closely resembling those of _A. Ginnala_, but smaller. Turkestan, 1879.

=A. sempervirens= (evergreen). Synonymous with _A. heterophyllum_.

=A. spicatum= (spiked). Synonymous with _A. montanum_.

=A. striatum= (striated). Synonymous with _A. pennsylvanicum_.

=A. tartaricum= (Tartarian).* _fl._ white, on crowded, erect, compound racemes. May. _l._ more or less cordate, acuminated, serrated, with obsolete lobes. _h._ 20ft. 1759. This species is one of the first to expand its leaves in spring.

=A. tomentosum= (tomentose). Synonymous with _A. dasycarpum_.

=A. tripartitum= (three-parted). Synonymous with _A. glabrum_.

=A. Van Volxemii= (Van Volxem's). _fl._ not known in England. _l._ palmately three to five-lobed, very large, light green above, silvery and quite glabrous beneath. Caucasus, 1877. Distinct and fine.

=A. villosum= (hairy). _fl._ fragrant, on lateral racemes. April. Buds, fruit, and young leaves, silky, villous. _l._ cordate, five-lobed, villous beneath as well as the petioles; lobes ovate acute. _h._ 50ft. Himalaya, at high elevations. Not hardy.

=A. virginianum= (Virginian). Synonymous with _A. dasycarpum_.

=ACERACEÆ.= An order of very ornamental hardy trees, of which the sycamore and maple are well-known representatives.

=ACERAS= (from _a_, without, and _keras_, a horn; the lip having no spur). ORD. _Orchidaceæ_. An interesting genus of terrestrial orchids. Calyx of three ovate, equal, converging sepals; petals two, narrow, oblong; lip spurless, much longer than the calyx, narrow, oblong, with four linear lobes. The most interesting species is the native one. Indigenous to dry, chalky pastures in the south-east of England, and it will only thrive in similar soils when grown in gardens. Propagated by careful divisions of tubers only.

=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._ 1-1/2ft. to 2-1/2ft. 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.

=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.

=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._ 1-1/2ft. 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.

=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.