Part 41

=A. planicaule= (flat-stiped).* _sti._ tufted, 3in. to 6in. long, naked. _fronds_ 6in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, with twelve to twenty stalked horizontal pinnæ on each side, which are 1in. to 1-1/2in. long, 1/4in. to 3/8in. broad, acute; edge lobed about half-way down, and deeply serrated. _sori_ copious, reaching nearly to the edge. Himalayas, up to 6000ft., &c., 1841. Greenhouse species.

=A. plantagineum= (Plantain-like). _sti._ tufted, 6in. to 9in. long. _fronds_ 6in. to 9in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, simple, acuminate, base rounded; edge slightly undulato-dentate upwards, sometimes lobed towards the base. _sori_ slender, linear, sometimes nearly touching both edge and midrib. West Indies, &c., 1819. Stove species. SYN. _Diplazium plantagineum_.

=A. polyphyllum= (many-leaved). Synonymous with _A. acuminatum_.

=A. præmorsum= (bitten). Synonymous with _A. furcatum_.

=A. prolongatum= (prolonged). Synonymous with _A. rutæfolium_.

=A. pulchellum= (pretty).* _sti._ tufted. 1in. to 2in. long. _fronds_ 3in. to 6in. long, 1in. to 1-1/2in. broad, with twelve to eighteen pinnæ on each side, which are 1/2in. to 3/4in. long, two lines to three lines broad, bluntish, almost dimidiate; the upper edge crenate, and narrowed suddenly at the base. _sori_ linear, oblique, falling short of the edge. Tropical America. Stove species.

=A. pumilum= (small). _sti._ tufted, 3in. to 4in. long. _fronds_ 4in. to 6in. each way, deltoid, the upper part sinuated only, the lower cut down to the rachis into distinct pinnæ, of which the lowest pair are much the largest; the pinnules on the lower side sometimes 2in. long, reaching down to a slightly winged rachis, acuminate and deeply lobed. _sori_ very oblique, the lower ones sometimes 1in. long. West Indies, &c., 1823. A very rare and pretty stove species.

=A. rachirhizon= (rachis-rooting). A variety of _A. rhizophorum_.

=A. radicans= (rooting). _cau._ erect, sub-arborescent. _sti._ 1ft. to 2ft. long, tufted. _fronds_ 3ft. to 5ft. long, 2ft. to 3ft. broad, deltoid; lower pinnæ 12in. to 18in. long, 6in. to 8in. broad; pinnules lanceolate, sessile, the upper ones entire, lower ones 3in. to 4in. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad, with blunt lobes, 1/4in. broad, reaching about half way down to the rachis. Lower _sori_ sometimes 1/4in. long. Tropical America. A very variable species. SYNS. _A. giganteum_, _Diplazium radicans_, _D. umbrosum_, &c. See Fig. 173.

=A. refractum= (refracted). A variety of _A. fontanum_.

=A. resectum= (cut or pared).* _sti._ scattered, 4in. to 8in. long. _fronds_ 6in. to 15in. long, 2in. to 4in. broad, lanceolate-oblong, with ten to thirty sub-sessile horizontal pinnæ on each side, which are 1in. to 3in. long, 1/4in. to 1/2in. broad, almost dimidiate, the point bluntish, all except the truncate part crenate, the upper half at the base narrowed nearly at a right angle. _sori_ not reaching either the midrib or edge. India, &c., widely distributed, 1820. Greenhouse species.

=A. rhizophorum= (root-bearing).* _sti._ tufted, 4in. to 8in. long. _fronds_ 1ft. to 2ft. long, 4in. to 6in. broad, elongated, and rooting at the apex; pinnæ twelve to thirty on each side, sub-sessile, 1-1/2in. to 2in. long, about 1/2in. broad, inciso-dentate throughout; the two sides unequal, the upper one auricled and narrowed, the lower one obliquely cuneate. _sori_ not reaching either to the edge or midrib. Tropical America. A very variable stove species. _A. r. rachirhizon_, has distinctly separated oblong-rhomboidal pinnules, again deeply cut into narrow segments.

=A. rhizophyllum= (leaf-rooting). _sti._ tufted, 2in. to 6in. long. _fronds_ 6in. to 12in. long, 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad, cut down into numerous close-placed horizontal pinnæ on each side; central ones 1in. long, 1/4in. to 3/8in. broad, cut down throughout nearly to the centre into simple or forked erecto-patent pinnules, the lowest on the under side suppressed. _sori_ solitary, sub-marginal. _A. r. myriophyllum_ is a variety with broader fronds; central pinnæ 1-1/2in. long, with lower pinnules cut down into several simple or forked linear segments. North America, &c., 1680. Both handsome greenhouse kinds.

=A. rutæfolium= (Rue-leaved).* _sti._ tufted, 4in. to 9in. long. _fronds_ 6in. to 15in. long, 2in. to 4in. broad, ovate deltoid, with twelve to twenty pinnæ on each side, the lowest sub-deltoid, 2in. or more long, cut down to the rachis into numerous erecto-patent distant pinnules on each side, the lowest on the upper side again cut down into erecto-patent linear segments. _sori_ small, marginal. Cape Colony. A beautiful greenhouse species. SYNS. _A. prolongatum_ and _Darea rutæfolia_.

=A. Ruta-muraria= (Wall-rue).* _sti._ tufted, 2in. to 4in. long. _fronds_ 1in. to 2in. long, about 1in. broad, deltoid, cut down to the rachis into a few pinnæ on each side, the lower ones again cut down into spathulato-cuneate pinnules, which are serrated round the outer edge. _sori_ copious. Great Britain, and almost worldwide in its distribution. Hardy species. This requires a well-drained position, and a soil composed mainly of old mortar rubbish.

=A. salicifolium= (Willow-leaved). _sti._ tufted, 6in. to 12in. long. _fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long, 6in. to 9in. broad, oblong, with a terminal pinna and four to ten distinctly stalked ones on each side, which are 4in. to 6in. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad, acuminate; edge usually entire, the base equally truncato-cuneate on both sides. _sori_ falling short both of the edge and midrib. West Indies, &c. Stove species.

=A. Sandersoni= (Sanderson's).* _sti._ tufted, 1in. to 2in. long. _fronds_ 6in. to 9in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad, linear, often gemmiferous at the apex, with twelve to twenty horizontal dimidiate pinnæ on each side, which are deeply crenate on the upper edge, and at the base narrowed suddenly into a winged petiole, the lower one nearly straight and quite entire. _sori_ oblong. Natal, &c. A very rare greenhouse species.

=A. schizodon= (cut-toothed). Synonymous with _A. Vieillardii_.

=A. Schkuhrii= (Schkuhr's). _cau._ erect. _sti._ 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. long. _fronds_ deltoid, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long, tripinnatifid; lower pinnæ distant, oblong-lanceolate, 6in. to 8in. long, 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad, rachis winged to base; pinnules ligulate-oblong, 3/8in. broad, sessile, cut into shallow, close, oblong blunt lobes. _sori_ 1/8in., medial in a single row in the pinnules. Ceylon. Stove species. SYN. _Diplazium Schkuhrii_.

=A. Selosii= (Selose's).* _sti._ densely tufted, 1in. to 2in. long, wiry. _fronds_ 1/2in. to 3/4in. long, palmately cleft, usually into three nearly equal forks, which are about one line broad, the edge slightly inciso-serrate. _sori_ copious, ultimately occupying the whole surface. Tyrol and Carinthia. A very rare and curious little species, requiring the protection of the frame or cool house; it should be firmly potted between pieces of sandstone in loam, leaf-soil, rock chippings and sand, with good drainage.

=A. septentrionale= (northern).* _sti._ densely tufted, 3in. to 4in. long. _fronds_ simple, or cleft from the apex into two or three cuneate divisions, 1in. to 1-1/2in. long, one line broad, with a few sharp lateral and terminal teeth. _sori_ elongated, copious, often at last hiding the whole under surface. Great Britain, and widely distributed in both hemispheres. This rare little species requires to be securely planted in a well-drained elevated chink of the fernery outside, in loamy, gritty soil.

=A. Shepherdi= (Shepherd's).* _sti._ tufted, 1ft. long. _fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long, 6in. to 9in. broad; lower pinnæ stalked, 4in. to 6in. long, 1in. to 1-1/2in. broad, point acuminate, edge lobed above, 1/4in. broad, somewhat toothed. _sori_ linear, not reaching the edge. South America. Stove species. SYN. _Diplazium Shepherdi_.

=A. S. inæquilaterum= (unequal-sided). _fronds_, texture firm, colour duller than that of the type; pinnæ much acuminated; the lobes deeper, more uniform, and falcate, the two sides unequal, the lower one unequally truncate at the base.

=A. spathulinum= (spathulate). A synonym of _A. affine_.

=A. spinulosum= (very spiny).* _sti._ 6in. to 12in. long, scattered. _fronds_ 9in. to 12in. each way, deltoid, tri- or quadripinnatifid, with nine to twelve pinnæ on each side, the lowest much the largest, 6in. to 9in. long, 2-1/2in. to 3in. broad, ovate-lanceolate; pinnules lanceolate, cut down to the rachis on each side into six to nine oblong-rhomboidal mucronate segments, two lines long, one line broad, which are sharply toothed. _sori_ two to ten to a segment, usually round, but occasionally oblong. Amur-land, &c. Greenhouse species. SYN. _Athyrium spinulosum_ and _Cystopteris spinulosa_.

=A. splendens= (splendid). _rhiz._ creeping, scaly. _sti._ 6in. to 9in. _fronds_ deltoid, 6in. to 1ft. long, two to three-pinnate; lower pinnæ stalked, deltoid, 1in. to 2in. broad, pinnate or bipinnate; segments cuneate-flabellate, 1/4in. to 1/2in. broad, slightly lobed, sharply toothed round outer edge. _sori_ copious, slender, irregular, reaching from base nearly to tip of segments. Cape Colony. A very rare greenhouse species.

=A. subsinuatum= (half-waved). Synonymous with _A. lanceum_.

=A. sundense= (Sundanese). Synonymous with _A. vittæforme_.

=A. sylvaticum= (woods). _cau._ decumbent. _sti._ 1ft. long. _fronds_ 1ft. to 2ft. long, 4in. to 8in. broad, ovate-lanceolate, with numerous spreading pinnæ, the largest 3in. to 4in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad, acuminated; edge broadly and briefly lobed; base narrowed suddenly on both sides. _sori_ in long slender lines, reaching nearly to the edge. India, &c. Stove species.

=A. thelypteroides= (Thelypteris-like). _sti._ 1ft. long. _fronds_ 1ft. to 2ft. long, 6in. to 12in. broad, lanceolate, with numerous spreading pinnæ, the lower ones 4in. to 6in. long, 1in. broad, cut down to a broadly-winged rachis into numerous nearly entire elliptical spreading pinnules. _sori_ in close regular rows, reaching nearly from the midrib to the edge, slightly curved, the lower ones often double. North America, &c., 1823. Hardy or cool house species. SYN. _Athyrium thelypteroides_.

=A. Thwaitesii= (Thwaites's).* _rhiz._ wide-creeping, stout. _sti._ 6in. long, slender, densely clothed with strong white woolly hairs. _fronds_ 1ft. or more long, 4in. to 6in. broad, with eight to ten distinct pinnæ beneath the pinnatifid apex, the largest 3in. long, 5/8in. broad, cut down two-thirds of the way to the rachis in oblong crenulated lobes, 1/4in. deep, two lines across. _sori_ reaching half-way to the edge, the lowest about one line long. Ceylon. Very fine stove species. SYN. _Diplazium Thwaitesii_.

=A. Trichomanes= (maiden-hair).* Maidenhair Spleenwort. _sti._ densely tufted, 1in. to 4in. long. _fronds_ 6in. to 12in. long, about 1/2in. broad, with fifteen to thirty opposite pairs of sessile horizontal pinnæ, which are 1/4in. to 3/8in. broad, one and a-half to two lines deep, edge slightly crenate, the two sides unequal, the upper one the broadest, and narrowed suddenly at the base. _sori_ linear-oblong, three to six on each side of the midrib. Great Britain, and almost cosmopolitan. Hardy species. See Fig. 174. There are several varieties in cultivation, of which the following are the most important:

=A. T. cristatum= (crested).* _fronds_ 4in. to 6in. long, simply pinnate, with roundish pinnæ, and broad crests at their extremities, sometimes divided, each fork crested. A very pretty little variety, requiring frame or greenhouse treatment. See Fig. 175.

=A. T. incisum= (deeply-cut).* _fronds_ 3in. to 6in. long; pinnæ deeply pinnatifid, the lobes again deeply cut or serrated. A very rare and pretty form.

=A. T. multifidum= (much-divided).* _fronds_ 3in. to 6in. long, once, twice, thrice, or, rarely, quadri-furcate, each division terminated with a little crest. A free-growing kind.

=A. T. ramosum= (branched).* _fronds_ 5in. to 8in. long, freely branched, each division being again forked; pinnæ deeply cut or crenated, or serrate. More hardy than any of the other forms.

=A. trilobum= (three-lobed).* _sti._ tufted, 2in. to 3in. long. _fronds_ 1in. to 1-1/2in. long, 1in. broad, rhomboidal, apex acute, base cuneate, entire, the margin undulato-crenate, or the lower part deeply lobed, with broad inciso-crenate divisions. _sori_ broad and short. Chili and South Brazil. A very rare little stove species. SYN. _A. parvulum_.

=A. umbrosum= (shady). _sti._ 1ft. or more long, scaly at the base. _fronds_ 2ft. to 5ft. long, 12in. to 18in. broad, ovate-deltoid; pinnæ ovate-lanceolate, 6in. to 9in. long, 3in. to 6in. broad, with lanceolate pinnules, which are again cut down to the midribs into unequal-sided rhomboidal lobes, with the margins sharply crenated. _sori_ copious, oblong, with large tumid membranous involucres. Madeira, Canaries, Himalayas, &c. Very widely distributed. A very handsome greenhouse species. SYNS. _Allantodia australe_, _Athyrium umbrosum_.

=A. varians= (variable). _sti._ tufted, 1in. to 3in. long. _fronds_ 4in. to 6in. long, 1in. broad, oblong-lanceolate, with eight to twelve pairs of pinnæ on each side, lower ones sub-deltoid, 1/2in. to 3/4in. long, 1/4in. broad, cut down to the rachis into a few cuneato-flabellate pinnules, the lowest two lines across, sharply toothed on the outer edge. _sori_ copious, when mature, covering nearly the whole under surface of the pinnules. Himalayas, and widely distributed. Greenhouse species.

=A. Veitchianum= (Veitch's). Synonymous with _A. Belangeri_.

=A. Vieillardii= (Vieillard's).* _sti._ tufted, 4in. to 6in. long. _fronds_ 6in. to 9in. long, 6in. to 8in. broad, with large linear-lanceolate terminal pinna, lengthened out at the point, and deeply serrated, and three to four pairs of erecto-patent similar lateral ones, which are 3in. to 4in. long, upwards of 1/2in. broad, equally truncato-cuneate, and the lower ones slightly stalked at the base. _sori_ distant, falling short of both edge and margin. New Caledonia. A very graceful greenhouse species. SYN. _A. schizodon_. _A. apicidens_ is but a variety of this, with shortened sori and more obtuse venation.

=A. viride= (green). Green Spleenwort.* _sti._ densely tufted, 2in. to 4in. long. _fronds_ 4in. to 6in. long, 1/2in. broad, with twelve to twenty sub-sessile pinnæ on each side, ovate-rhomboid; upper edge narrowed suddenly at the base, the lower one obliquely truncate, outer part deeply crenated. _sori_ copious, linear-oblong, oblique. Great Britain, &c., widely distributed in both hemispheres. It requires to be planted in a well-drained but moist situation. Hardy species. See Fig. 176.

=A. vittæforme= (narrow-fronded).* _rhiz._ creeping. _sti._ short, erect. _fronds_ entire, lanceolate, 12in. to 18in. long, 1-1/2in. to 3in. broad, narrowed to an acute point, and very gradually into the stem below; margin obscurely toothed. _sori_ copious, often reaching from the midrib nearly to the edge. Java, &c. Stove species. SYN. _A. sundense_.

=A. viviparum= (plant-bearing).* _sti._ tufted. 6in. to 9in. long. _fronds_ 1ft. to 2ft. long, 6in. to 8in. broad, ovate-lanceolate, with numerous close-placed erecto-patent pinnæ on each side, which are 3in. to 4in. long, 1-1/2. to 2in. broad, cut down to a compressed rachis into numerous pinnatifid pinnules, the lower segments of which are again forked; ultimate segments 1/4in. to 3/8in. long, quarter-line broad. _sori_ solitary, marginal. Mauritius, &c., 1820. A very handsome stove species.

=A. vulcanicum= (volcanic). _sti._ 6in. to 9in. long. _fronds_ 1ft. to 2ft. long, 4in. to 8in. broad, oblong-lanceolate, with a linear-terminal pinna, or gemmiferous at the apex, and six to twelve lateral ones on each side; lower ones stalked, 2in. to 4in. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad, acuminated; edge slightly dentate; the base truncate. _sori_ very regular and parallel, falling short of the edge. Malay Islands. Stove species. SYN. _A. heterodon_.

=A. zeylanicum= (Ceylonese).* _sti._ scattered, 4in. to 8in. long. _fronds_ 6in. to 12in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad, the point acuminated, apex slightly lobed, the lower two-thirds more deeply so, and the base quite down to the rachis; lobes blunt, 1/4in. to 1/2in. across. _sori_ linear, two to three lines long. Ceylon. Stove species. SYN. _Diplazium zeylanicum_.

=ASSONIA= (commemorative of Ignatius de Asso, a distinguished Spanish botanist, who wrote on the plants of Arragon). ORD. _Sterculiaceæ_. This genus is now included by best authorities under _Dombeya_. Ornamental stove evergreen trees, with undivided leaves, and axillary, bifid, sub-corymbose peduncles. They are of easy culture; thriving freely in any light rich soil, or a mixture of loam and peat. Young cuttings will root freely in sand, with a brisk bottom heat, if covered by a bell glass.

=A. populnea= (Poplar-leaved). _fl._ white, disposed in a terminal, bifid corymb; peduncles scarcely longer than the petioles. June. _l._ cordate, acuminated, smooth, a little serrated. _h._ 10ft. to 20ft. Bourbon, 1820.

=A. viburnoides= (Viburnum-like). _fl._ white; peduncles three times longer than the petioles. _l._ cordate, somewhat acuminate, crenated, tomentose beneath, as well as younger leaves. _h._ 10ft. to 20ft. Bourbon, 1822.

=ASTARTEA= (a mythological name: Astarte, the Syrian Venus). ORD. _Myrtaceæ_. An ornamental greenhouse evergreen shrub, requiring a mixture of loam, peat, leaf soil, and sand. Young cuttings root readily in sand under a bell glass in gentle heat.

=A. fascicularis= (bundle-flowered). _fl._ white, pedicellate, solitary, axillary. May. _l._ opposite, linear, fleshy; when young, disposed in axillary fascicles. _h._ 6ft. to 9ft. West Australia, 1830.

=ASTELMA= (from _a_, not, and _stelma_, a crown; in reference to the construction of the fruit). ORD. _Compositæ_. Greenhouse evergreen shrubs from the Cape of Good Hope. Some species of this genus, which is now generally referred to _Helipterum_, are very handsome, and thrive well in a mixture of fibrous peat, leaf soil, and sand, with thorough drainage. Fill the pots one-third full of crocks; water carefully, and only when absolutely necessary; and place in a situation near the glass, allowing a free admission of air. Seeds should be sown in pots of light, open soil, and placed in a gentle heat; half-ripened cuttings will strike readily in sandy soil with a hand glass placed over them. They are now but rarely seen under cultivation.

=A. canescens= (hoary). _fl.-heads_ purple; scales of involucre ovate; branches one-flowered. May to June. _l._ oblong, blunt, imbricated. _h._ 1-1/2ft. 1794.

=A. eximium= (fine).* _fl.-heads_ crimson; corymbs sessile. July. _l._ sessile, ovate, close, erect, white with thick woolly pubescence. Stem stout. _h._ 3ft. 1793. This is a very beautiful species.

=A. speciosissimum= (showiest). _fl.-heads_ white, large, solitary, terminal. July. _l._ sessile, lanceolate-obovate, acute, three-nerved, woolly. _h._ 8ft. 1691.

=ASTEPHANUS= (from _a_, without, and _stephanos_, a corona; corona absent). ORD. _Asclepiadeæ_. A genus of pretty evergreen greenhouse twiners. Flowers few, small, disposed in interpetiolar umbels; corolla campanulate. Leaves small, opposite. They thrive in a compost of turfy peat, leaf soil, and loam, in equal parts. Very little water is required when the plants are at rest. Cuttings root readily in sandy soil in a moderate heat. Propagation may also be effected by division.

=A. linearis= (linear). _fl._ white; umbels dividing in threes, lateral and terminal. July. _l._ 1in. long, opposite, linear-lanceolate. Stem glabrous. Cape of Good Hope, 1816.

=A. triflorus= (three-flowered).* _fl._ white; umbels generally three-flowered. July. _l._ opposite, lanceolate, villous beneath. Stems hairy. Cape of Good Hope, 1816.

=ASTER= (from _aster_, a star; general shape of flower-heads). Michaelmas Daisy; Star-wort. SYN. _Pinardia_ (of Necker). ORD. _Compositæ_. Hardy herbaceous perennials, except where otherwise stated. Heads solitary, corymbose, or panicled, heterogamous, rayed; ray florets pistiliferous, one or two-seriate, fertile or neuter; ligule elongated, white, blue, or purple; disk florets hermaphrodite, fertile, tubular, yellow, five-cleft; involucre campanulate or hemispheric; bracts few or many-seriate, outer smaller or larger; receptacle flat or convex; pappus hairs few or copious, scabrid, outer sometimes shorter, rigid, and paleaceous. Leaves alternate. This large genus contains many handsome border and alpine deciduous perennials (rarely biennials) of easy culture in ordinary soil. They may be propagated by divisions in autumn or spring, or by seeds in spring. The greenhouse species are mostly evergreen shrubs, requiring a compost of peat, leaf soil, and loam. Cuttings root readily in a sandy soil, under a hand glass, with very little heat.

=A. acris= (acrid). _fl.-heads_ blue; involucre imbricated, twice as short as the disk. August. _l._ linear-lanceolate, not dotted, three-nerved. _h._ 2ft. South Europe, 1731.

=A. acuminatus= (taper-pointed).* _fl.-heads_ white; panicle corymbose. September. _l._ broad-lanceolate, narrowed at base, entire, with a very long point. Stem simple, flexuous, angular. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1806.

=A. adulterinus= (false). _fl.-heads_ violet; involucre squarrose, shorter than the disk. September. _l._ amplexicaul, lanceolate; lower ones sub-serrate, smooth; those of the branches linear squarrose. _h._ 3ft. North America.

=A. æstivus= (summer-flowering).* _fl.-heads_ blue. July. _l._ lanceolate, somewhat amplexicaul, narrowed at the end, scabrous at edge. Stem erect, hispid; branchlets pilose. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1776.

=A. albescens= (whitish). _fl.-heads_ purple or whitish, nearly 1in. across; corymbosely panicled; scales of involucre ovate-linear, apiculate; ray twenty-flowered. August. _l._ lanceolate on short petioles, denticulate, downy. Plant beset with rusty down. _h._ 3ft. Nepal, 1842.

=A. alpinus= (alpine).* _fl.-heads_ bright purple, 1in. to 2in. across; scales of involucre nearly equal, lanceolate, bluntish. July. _l._, radical ones lanceolate-spathulate; those of the stem lanceolate. Stem one-flowered. _h._ 6in. to 9in. Europe, 1658. A very attractive species, having a dwarf, stout habit; it forms a useful and handsome subject for edging, and its flowers are valuable for cutting purposes. See Fig. 177.

=A. a. albus= (white).* _fl.-heads_ white, in other respects resembling the type; but it is much less desirable, and has not nearly so vigorous a habit. Europe, 1827.