Part 42

=A. altaicus= (Altaian).* _fl.-heads_ blue-purple, about 2in. across; stem simple, corymbose, downy. June, July. _l._ linear-lanceolate, entire, blunt mucronate, three-nerved at base, veiny. _h._ 1ft. Siberia, 1804. This, which is frequently considered a variety of _A. alpinus_, is one of the handsomest.

=A. alwartensis= (Alwart). _fl.-heads_ red; ray very fine; involucre loosely squarrose. May. _l._ ovate, narrowed at base, entire, about five-nerved. _h._ 1ft. Caucasus, 1807.

=A. Amellus= (Amellus).* _fl.-heads_ purple, solitary, numerous; involucre imbricated squarrose; leaves blunt; inner membranous, coloured at edge. August. _l._ oblong-lanceolate, scabrous. _h._ 2ft. Italy, 1596. One of the best border kinds.

=A. A. bessarabicus= (Bessarabian).* A most desirable variety, frequently seen in gardens; it is rather taller than the type, with larger flower-heads, of a deep purple colour. One of the showiest of all the Asters. See Fig. 178.

=A. amplexicaulis= (stem-clasping). _fl.-heads_ violet. July. _l._ ovate-oblong, acute, amplexicaul, cordate, serrated, smooth. Stem panicled, smooth; branches one to two-headed. _h._ 3ft. North America.

=A. amygdalinus= (Almond-leaved). _fl.-heads_ white; involucre closely imbricated. August. _l._ lanceolate, narrowed at base, acuminated, scabrous at edge. Stem simple, corymbose at end. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1759.

=A. argenteus= (silvery).* _fl.-heads_ purple. August. _l._ oblong-lanceolate, silky, sessile. Stem slender, decumbent, loosely branched; branches and branchlets one-headed. _h._ 1ft. North America, 1801.

=A. bellidiflorus= (Daisy-flowered). _fl.-heads_ pale red; involucre with spreading scales. September. _l._ amplexicaul, narrow-lanceolate, scabrous above, lower sub-serrated. Stem much branched. _h._ 3ft. North America.

=A. Bigelovii= (Bigelow's).* _fl.-heads_ corymbose, 2-1/2in. diameter, ray-florets lilac, disk yellow. Summer. _l._ scabrous pubescent, oblong-spathulate; cauline ones amplexicaul, ovate-oblong, crenate, obscurely-toothed. _h._ 2-1/2ft. Colorado, 1878. A very handsome biennial species. SYN. _A. Townshendi_.

=A. blandus= (charming). _fl.-heads_ pale purple; racemes scarcely longer than the leaves. October. _l._ sub-amplexicaul, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, sessile, smooth. Stem pyramidal. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1800.

=A. canescens= (hoary). _fl.-heads_ pale purple; involucre imbricated, very acute, longer than disk. September. _l._ linear. Panicle corymbose, much branched, leafy. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1812. Biennial or perennial.

=A. cassiarabicus= (Arabian Cassia). _fl.-heads_ pink; panicles corymbose. September. _l._ ovate, acute, serrated, tapering at the petioles. Plant erect, pilose. _h._ 2ft. Russia, 1834.

=A. caucasicus= (Caucasian).* _fl.-heads_ purple, solitary; scales of involucre nearly equal, linear. July. _l._ ovate, sessile, scabrous. _h._ 1ft. Caucasus, 1804.

=A. ciliatus= (ciliated). _fl.-heads_ white. September. _l._ ciliated; cauline ones linear-lanceolate, nerved; those of the branches very short lanceolate, three-nerved. Stem branched, downy; branches downy. _h._ 3ft. North America.

=A. concinnus= (neat).* _fl.-heads_ purple; involucre closely imbricated. October. _l._ sub-amplexicaul, lanceolate; lower ones sub-serrate, smooth. Stem simple, panicled at end. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1800.

=A. concolor= (one-coloured). _fl.-heads_ purple; raceme terminal. October. _l._ oblong-lanceolate, hoary on each side. Stem simple, erect, downy. _h._ 1ft. North America, 1759.

=A. conyzioides= (Conyza-like). Synonymous with _Seriocarpus conyzioides_.

=A. cordifolius= (heart-leaved). _fl.-heads_ blue, small, disposed in crowded racemes, which are slightly drooping. July. _l._ cordate, pilose beneath, finely serrated, stalked. Stem smoothish, panicled; panicle spreading. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1759.

=A. coridifolius= (Coris-leaved). _fl.-heads_ pale blue. October. _l._ very numerous, linear, blunt, reflexed, hispid at edge. Stem branched, diffuse, smooth; branches one-headed. _h._ 1ft. North America.

=A. corymbosus= (corymbose). _fl.-heads_ corymbose, about 1in. in diameter; ray-florets few, narrow, white; disk-florets pale yellow. Autumn. _l._ 3in. long, cordate acute, lobed at the base, coarsely toothed. Stems brittle, blackish purple. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. SYN. _Biotia corymbosa_. See Fig. 179.

=A. diffusus= (diffuse). _fl.-heads_ white; involucres imbricated. October. _l._ elliptic-lanceolate, equal, serrated, smooth. Branches spreading. Stem pubescent. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1777.

=A. Douglasii= (Douglas's).* _fl.-heads_ purple; involucral scales linear or spathulate-linear, loosely imbricated. August. _l._ lanceolate, acute, entire, or rarely serrate, mostly tapering at the base. Stem smooth, slender, paniculately branched, leafy. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. California, &c.

=A. dracunculoides= (Tarragon-like).* _fl.-heads_ white, about 1in. across, disposed in dense cymose clusters; involucre imbricated. September, October. _l._ linear, acuminated, entire; lower ones linear-lanceolate, sub-serrate. Branches corymbose. _h._ 3ft. North America, 1811. A very handsome species.

=A. dumosus= (bushy).* _fl.-heads_ white, about 1/2in. across, disposed in broad clusters; involucre cylindrical, closely imbricated. October. _l._ linear, glabrous; those of the branches very short. Branches panicled. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1734.

=A. d. albus= (white).* _fl.-heads_ quite white, and rather smaller than those of the species. North America.

=A. d. violaceus= (violet). _fl.-heads_ violet-purple. North America.

=A. elegans= (elegant). _fl.-heads_ blue, small; corymb contracted, drooping; scales of involucre oblong-cuneate, blunt, squarrose. September. _l._ scabrous; cauline ones oblong-lanceolate, acute; radical ones oblong, stalked. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1790. A very elegant species, having a graceful habit.

=A. eminens= (eminent). _fl.-heads_ light blue. October. _l._ linear-lanceolate, acuminate, scabrous at edge; lower ones sub-serrated. Stem panicled; branches one-headed. _h._ 2ft. North America.

=A. ericoides= (Heath-like).* _fl.-heads_ white; involucre squarrose, leaflets acute. September. _l._ linear, glabrous; those of the branches subulate, close together; and those of the stem long. _h._ 3ft. North America, 1758. A very pretty species. See Fig. 180.

=A. floribundus= (many-flowered).* _fl.-heads_ light purple. September. _l._ sub-amplexicaul, lanceolate; lower ones serrated. Stem smooth; branches corymbose. _h._ 4ft. North America.

=A. foliosus= (leafy). _fl.-heads_ pale blue; involucre imbricate. September. _l._ linear-lanceolate, acuminate, narrowed at each end. Stem downy, panicled, erect; branches few-headed. _h._ 3ft. North America, 1732.

=A. fragilis= (fragile). _fl.-heads_ flesh-coloured, small; involucre imbricated. September. _l._ linear, acuminate, entire; radical ones oblong, serrate. Branches in corymbose panicles. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1800.

=A. grandiflorus= (large-flowered).* _fl.-heads_ purple, large, terminal; scales of involucre squarrose. November. _l._ linear, rigid, acute, sub-amplexicaul; those of the branches reflexed, hispid at edge. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1720. See Fig. 181.

=A. hyssopifolius= (Hyssop-leaved).* _fl.-heads_ white, or purple shaded; scales of the involucre about half as long as the disk. August to October. _l._ linear-lanceolate, acute, with the margins scabrous. Branches fastigiate and corymbose, smooth. _h._ 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. North America.

=A. lævigatus= (smooth-stemmed). _fl.-heads_ flesh-coloured, about 1in. across, disposed in large panicles. September. _l._ sub-amplexicaul, broad-lanceolate, sub-serrate, smooth. Stem glabrous. Branches many-headed. _h._ 3ft. North America, 1794.

=A. lævis= (smooth).* _fl.-heads_ blue; involucre imbricated with cuneiform leaflets. September. _l._ sub-amplexicaul, remotely oblong, entire, lucid; radical ones sub-serrated. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1758. One of the best border species.

=A. laxus= (loose-flowered). _fl.-heads_ white, about 1in. across; clusters loose. October. _l._ linear-lanceolate, scabrous at edge; lower ones sub-serrated; stem ones reflexed. Stem loosely panicled. _h._ 2ft. North America.

=A. linarifolius= (Toad-flax-leaved). _fl.-heads_ pale blue. September. _l._ numerous, linear, mucronated, nerveless, not dotted, keeled, scabrous, rigid. Branches fastigiate, one-headed. _h._ 1ft. North America, 1699.

=A. linifolius= (Flax-leaved). _fl.-heads_ white; involucre imbricated, short. July. _l._ linear, nerveless, dotted, scabrous, reflexed, spreading. Branches corymbose, fastigiate, leafy. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1739.

=A. longifolius= (long-leaved).* _fl.-heads_ white, 1in. across, in dense corymbose panicles; involucre squarrose. October. _l._ linear-lanceolate, rarely toothed, very long, smooth. _h._ 3ft. North America, 1798. There are several varieties of this handsome species.

=A. l. formosus= (charming).* _fl.-heads_ pink, produced in dense corymbs. _h._ 1-1/2ft. to 2ft.

=A. macrophyllus= (large-leaved). _fl.-heads_ white. August. _l._ large, ovate, stalked, serrated, scabrous; upper ones cordate, sessile. Stem branched, diffuse. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1739.

=A. multiflorus= (many-flowered).* _fl.-heads_ white, small; corymb large, elongated; involucre imbricated; scales oblong, squarrose, acute. September. _l._ linear, glabrous. Stem much branched, diffuse, downy; branchlets one-sided. _h._ 3ft. North America, 1732.

=A. myrtifolius= (Myrtle-leaved). _fl.-heads_ white; involucre imbricated; scales length of disk. August. _l._, stem ones, amplexicaul, scabrous; those of the branches small. _h._ 2ft. 1812.

=A. novæ-angliæ= (New England).* _fl.-heads_ purple, in terminal clusters. September. _l._ linear-lanceolate, pilose, amplexicaul, auricled at base. Stem simple, pilose, straight. _h._ 6ft. North America, 1710. One of the best; having a tall and robust habit.

=A. n.-a. rubra= (red).* _fl.-heads_ deep red pink, in other respects like the type. North America, 1812.

=A. novæ-belgii= (New York).* _fl.-heads_ pale blue. September. _l._ sub-amplexicaul, lanceolate, glabrous, scabrous at edge; lower ones sub-serrated. Branches divided. _h._ 4ft. North America, 1710. There is a variety known in gardens which belongs to this species, under the name of _amethystinus_, the flowers of which are much larger and very showy.

=A. obliquus= (oblique). _fl.-heads_ numerous; ray white; disk purplish. Autumn. _l._ alternate; lower ones linear-lanceolate, oblique; upper stem ones smaller. _h._ 5ft. North America. A very fine species, forming large tufts.

=A. paniculatus= (panicled).* _fl.-heads_ light blue; involucre loose. September. _l._ ovate-lanceolate, sub-serrated, stalked, smooth; petioles naked. Stem much branched, smooth. _h._ 4ft. North America, 1640.

=A. pannonicus= (Pannonian). _fl.-heads_ violet; scales of involucre lanceolate, blunt, equal. July. _l._ linear-lanceolate, hispid at edge. Stem simple, corymbose. _h._ 2ft. Hungary, 1815.

=A. patens= (spreading). _fl.-heads_ light purple, about 1in. across. October. _l._ oblong-lanceolate, ciliate, cordate, amplexicaul, scabrous on each side, hairy. Stem branched, hairy. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1773.

=A. pendulus= (drooping).* _fl.-heads_ pure white at first, ultimately rosy pink, small. September. _l._ elliptic-lanceolate, serrate, smooth, those of the branches distant. Branches much spreading, pendulous. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1758. A very pretty species.

=A. peregrinus= (foreign).* _fl.-heads_ bluish purple, 2in. across. July, August. _l._ lanceolate, sub-acute, entire, smooth, those of the stem rather narrower than the radical ones. Stem smooth, or nearly so, two or three-flowered. _h._ 1ft. North America. A very pretty little species for the rockery or border.

=A. pilosus= (pilose). _fl.-heads_ pale blue; involucre oblong, loose, imbricated. September. _l._ linear-lanceolate, hoary. Stem branched, villous; branchlets somewhat one-sided, one-headed. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1812.

=A. præcox= (early). _fl.-heads_ violet; involucre imbricated; scales nearly equal; outer scales somewhat spreading. July. _l._ oblong-lanceolate, narrowed at the base. Stem hairy. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1800.

=A. pulchellus= (beautiful).* _fl.-heads_ purple, solitary; scales of involucre nearly equal, linear, acuminate. June. _l._, radical ones spathulate; cauline ones linear-lanceolate. _h._ 1ft. Armenia.

=A. puniceus= (red-stalked). _fl.-heads_ blue, about 1in. across; panicle large, pyramidal; involucre loose, longer than the disk. September. _l._ amplexicaul, lanceolate, serrate, roughish. Branches panicled. _h._ 6ft. North America, 1710.

=A. pyrenæus= (Pyrenean).* _fl.-heads_ lilac-blue (disk yellow), large, three to five in a short corymb. July. _l._ scabrous on both sides; cauline ones oblong-lanceolate, acute, sessile, sharply serrated on the upper part. _h._ 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. Pyrenees.

=A. Reevesi= (Reeves's). _fl.-heads_ white, with yellow centre, small; panicle dense, pyramidal. Autumn. _l._ linear, acute. Branches slender. _h._ 9in. to 12in. North America. A very desirable species, suitable for rockwork.

=A. reticulatus= (netted). _fl.-heads_ white. July. _l._ lanceolate-oblong, acute at each end, sessile, revolute at end, netted, and three-nerved beneath. Plant hoary all over. _h._ 3ft. North America, 1812.

=A. rubricaule= (red-stemmed). Synonymous with _A. spurius_.

=A. salicifolius= (Willow-leaved). _fl.-heads_ flesh-coloured; involucre lanceolate, imbricate; scales acute, spreading at end. September. _l._ linear-lanceolate, nearly entire, smooth. Stem smooth, panicled at end. _h._ 6ft. North America, 1760.

=A. salsuginosus= (salt-plains).* _fl.-heads_ violet-purple; involucral scales linear, loose, glandular. July. _l._ entire, the lower spathulate, obovate, tapering into a margined petiole; the upper ones lanceolate, acute, with broad base, usually sub-amplexicaul. Stem minutely pubescent, leafy nearly to the top, few-flowered. _h._ 9in. to 18in. North America, 1827. A very handsome species.

=A. s. elatior= (tallest). This variety grows 2ft. or more high, and has rather larger flowers than the type. North America.

=A. sericeus= (silky). _fl.-heads_ deep blue; terminal, about 1-1/2in. across. Summer and autumn. _l._ oblong-lanceolate, sessile, entire, three-nerved, silky with down. _h._ 3ft. Missouri, 1802. This is a half-hardy evergreen shrub, and requires a warm, well-drained soil.

=A. serotinus= (late-flowering). _fl.-heads_ blue. September. _l._ oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, sessile, smooth, scabrous at edge; lower ones serrated; branches corymbose, smooth. _h._ 3ft. North America.

=A. Shortii= (Short's). _fl.-heads_ purplish blue, about 1in. across; panicles long, racemose. Autumn. _l._ lanceolate, elongated, acuminated, cordate at the base. _h._ 2ft. to 4ft. Stem slender, spreading. North America.

=A. sibiricus= (Siberian). _fl.-heads_ blue; involucre loose; leaflets lanceolate, acuminate, hispid. August. _l._ lanceolate, sub-amplexicaul, serrate, pilose, scabrous. _h._ 2ft. Siberia, 1768.

=A. sikkimensis= (Sikkimese).* _fl.-heads_ purple; leaflets of involucre linear, acuminate, sub-squarrose. October. _l._ lanceolate, acuminate, spinosely denticulate; radical ones on longer petioles; cauline ones sessile; corymbs large, of many heads, leafy, erect, glabrous, branched. _h._ 3ft. Sikkim, 1850.

=A. spectabilis= (showy).* _fl.-heads_ blue; scales of involucre loose, leafy. August. _l._ lanceolate, roughish, somewhat amplexicaul; lower ones serrate in the middle. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1777. A very pretty species.

=A. spurius= (spurious). _fl.-heads_ purple, large, few; inner scales of involucre coloured. September. _l._ linear-lanceolate, amplexicaul, polished. Stem virgate, panicled. Branches racemose. _h._ 4ft. North America, 1789. SYN. _A. rubricaule_.

=A. tardiflorus= (late-flowering). _fl.-heads_ blue, numerous. Autumn. _l._ sessile, serrated, smooth, spathulate-lanceolate, narrowed at base, and bent down towards each side. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1775.

=A. Townshendi= (Townshend's). Synonymous with _A. Bigelovii_.

=A. Tradescanti= (Tradescant's).* _fl.-heads_ white; involucre imbricated. August. _l._ lanceolate-sessile, serrated, smooth; branches virgate. Stem round, smooth. _h._ 3ft. North America, 1633. _A. multiflorus_ is very much like this species, and, perhaps, a mere form thereof, with somewhat smaller flowers and more obovate-oblong leaves.

=A. tripolium= (Tripoli). Michaelmas Daisy. _fl.-heads_ blue; disk yellow; scales of involucre lanceolate, membranous, obtuse, imbricated. August. _l._ linear-lanceolate, fleshy, obscurely three-nerved. Stem glabrous, corymbose. _h._ 2ft. Britain.

=A. turbinellus= (turbinate). _fl.-heads_ delicate mauve, disposed in panicles; involucre top-shaped, scales imbricate. Summer and autumn. _l._ lanceolate, smooth, entire, with fringed margins, somewhat stem-clasping; those of the branchlets awl-shaped. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. North America. A very desirable species. See Fig. 182.

=A. undulatus= (undulated). _fl.-heads_ pale blue. August. _l._ oblong-cordate, amplexicaul, entire; petioles winged. Stem panicled, hispid. Branchlets one-sided. _h._ 3ft. North America, 1699.

=A. versicolor= (various-coloured).* _fl.-heads_ white, changing to purple; scales of involucre shorter than disk. August. _l._ sub-amplexicaul, broad-lanceolate, sub-serrate, smooth. Stem glabrous. _h._ 3ft. North America, 1790.

The annuals (_Callistemma hortensis_), usually known as French, German, or China Asters, are very extensively grown, both for beds and pots, and their diversity and generally compact growth render them almost universal favourites. They require a rich loamy soil, and as the roots are produced near the surface, a mulching of rotten dung will be found most beneficial. Seeds may be raised in a cold frame in March or April, and, when the seedlings are large enough, they must be transplanted into beds from 9in. to 12in. apart each way. If it is desired to have them in pots, they may be removed thence with a good ball of earth adhering just before they commence flowering, liberally watered, and kept lightly shaded from the sun, until root action is resumed. Those kinds required for exhibition purposes should have several of the side shoots removed, so that the whole growing energy of the plant may be centralised into from five to seven flower-heads, by which means fine blooms may be obtained. The dwarf kinds are most valuable for bedding and pots, as the taller kinds frequently require stakes for support. The following are the most important sections:

=Betteridge's Prize.= Very beautifully formed and brilliantly coloured varieties, unsurpassed for exhibition purposes. As this class has rather a straggling habit of growth, it is less suitable for bedding and borders than many of the others.

=Boltze's Miniature Bouquet Pyramidal.= Dwarf and elegant, in compact bouquets of six or eight; the truss of flower-heads springs directly from the ground, having only a few leaves at base. Colours very varied. _h._ 6in. to 8in.

=Crown.=* Distinct. The central portion, or disk, of the head of flowers is pure white, surrounded by a broad margin of coloured ray florets, such as purple, violet, crimson, rose, &c. Flower-heads large, flat, freely produced. _h._ 1ft. to 1-1/2ft.

=Dwarf Chrysanthemum-flowered.=* In size of flower-heads and habit of growth, this surpasses all other dwarf varieties. The flowers are full, Chrysanthemum-shaped, produced in clusters, or bouquets, from ten to twenty in a truss, very delicate and beautiful in colour. _h._ 1ft.

=Dwarf Pyramidal= or =Dwarf Bouquet=. A pretty little class, and extremely floriferous, each plant producing from twenty to fifty heads of bloom. Some of the colours are: Exquisite carmine with white points, white with blue or carmine points, white with salmon centre, &c. _h._ 1ft.

=Improved Imbricate.= The best strain of pyramidal Asters with recurved florets; fine regular form of flowers, double to the centre, producing but few seeds. Colours very brilliant. _h._ 2ft.

=Improved Rose.= A handsome class, producing a branched head, displaying no less than fifty large double flower-heads, the outer florets finely imbricated, and filled up to the centre when quite open. The colours are of great brilliancy, and of many shades. _h._ 2ft.

=Pompone Goliath.=* Flower-heads globular, and florets very closely set. Valuable for bouquets, as the flowers remain intact for a considerable time.

=Pyramidal Hedgehog.= Singular and unique. Stems upright, and branched; each branch terminated by a single flower-head, which is filled up with quill-like florets. Colours various. _h._ 1-1/2ft.

=Truffaut's Pæony Perfection.=* Vigorous upright growers, having large, hemispherical-formed heads of flowers with incurved florets, 4in. across. The colours also are very varied. _h._ about 2ft. See Figs. 183 and 184.

=Victoria.=* One of the most popular classes of Asters grown; flower-heads very double, imbricate, globular, 4in. in diameter, from ten to twenty on a plant, of various shades. _h._ 1ft., with a pyramidal habit. See Fig. 185.

=ASTERACANTHA= (from _aster_, a star, and _acantha_, a spine; referring to the disposition of the spines). ORD. _Acanthaceæ_. A handsome greenhouse herbaceous perennial, of easy culture in sandy loam. It should be grown in a sunny position, and be kept moderately dry, otherwise little but foliaceous growth will be produced; but, if thus treated, it flowers freely. Propagated by divisions in spring; or by seeds, sown in August.

=A. longifolia= (long-leaved). _fl._ yellow, in dense axillary fascicles. July. _l._ lanceolate, tapering to the base, narrow, sessile, serrately ciliated. Stem quadrangular. Plant rather hairy. _h._ 2ft. India, 1781.

=ASTERACEÆ.= _See_ =Compositæ=.

=ASTEROCEPHALUS.= _See_ =Scabiosa=.