Part 43

=ASTILBE= (from _a_, without, and _stilbe_, brilliancy; in allusion to the inconspicuous flowers of some of the species). ORD. _Saxifragaceæ_. Tall branching herbs, with triternate or biternate leaves, allied to _Spiræa_, from which they differ in having not more than three carpels, eight or ten stamens, and numerous albuminous seeds. They are all more or less graceful, and some indispensable, either when grown in isolated clumps, or intermingled with other herbaceous plants. They thrive well in almost any rich garden soil, preferring damp positions, and are easily propagated by division, which is best done in early spring. _A. japonica_ is grown very extensively for decorative purposes, its elegant spikes of pure white flowers rendering it especially valuable. The majority of the plants cultivated are imported, but they may be grown fairly well in this country in heavily manured soil. They should be potted as early as possible in the autumn, and plunged in ashes or fibre outside, when they will soon commence to root, after which they may be placed in heat, and forced as required, always giving an abundance of water. Indeed, the pots may be stood in pans of water, especially when the plants are well furnished with growth.

=A. barbata= (bearded). A synonym of _A. japonica_.

=A. decandra= (ten-stamened). _fl._ white, in spicate racemose panicles. May. _l._ biternate; leaflets cordate, deeply lobed and serrated, glandular beneath, and on the petioles. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. North America, 1812.

=A. japonica= (Japanese).* _fl._ small, pure white, in large branching racemose panicles. May. _l._ triternate or pinnate, serrated. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Japan. This is best grown in pots, as early frosts generally cut it down in the open air. SYNS. _Spiræa barbata_ and _japonica_, also _Hoteia_ and _A. barbata_. See Fig 186.

=A. j. variegata= (variegated).* _l._ prettily variegated with yellow; panicles much more dense than the type; indeed, it is far superior in that respect.

=A. rivularis= (brook).* _fl._ yellowish-white, or reddish, in large panicled spikes. Late summer. _l._ biternate; leaflets ovate, doubly serrated, villous beneath and on the petioles. _h._ 3ft. Nepaul. A grand plant for the margins of lakes or damp woodlands. See Fig. 187.

=A. rubra= (red).* _fl._ rose, very numerous, in dense panicles. Late summer and autumn. _l._ biternate; leaflets oblique, cordate, 1in. to 2in. long, with elongated, serrated points. _h._ 4ft. to 6ft. India, 1851. A very pretty, but rare species; excellent for sub-tropical gardening.

=A. Thunbergi= (Thunberg's).* _fl._ small, white, very numerous, in erect, much branched, pyramidal panicles, with reddish and slightly downy stalks. May. _l._ unequally pinnate or bipinnate; leaflets broad, yellowish green, sharply toothed. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Japan, 1878. This pretty little sub-shrub is extensively propagated on the Continent for forcing purposes.

=ASTRAGALUS= (a name applied to a shrub by Greek writers). Milk Vetch. ORD. _Leguminosæ_. A very large genus of hardy herbs or sub-shrubs. Flowers in axillary clusters; standard larger than the wings. Leaves unequally pinnate. About one hundred species have from time to time been introduced in English gardens; many of these are lost to cultivation; the comparative few here described are still generally grown, and are good representative species. They are all of easy culture. The shrubby kinds grow well in any light dry soil, and are slowly increased by cuttings placed in a cold frame, or by seeds. The herbaceous perennials prefer a dry light soil, and may be increased by divisions or seeds; the latter mode is preferable, as many species are very liable to die if transplanted or divided, which is at best but a slow method. Seed should be sown in pots of sandy soil placed in a cold frame as soon as ripe, or very early in the spring, as they may lie a long time before germinating. The dwarfer species constitute admirable rockwork plants, and can be grown in pots containing a mixture of loam, peat, and sand. Seeds of the two annual species, _A. Cicer_ and _A. Glaux_, merely require to be sown in the open border early in spring.

=A. adsurgens= (adsurgent).* _fl._ bluish purple; spikes oblong, pedunculate, longer than the leaves, densely packed. June. _l._ with eleven to twelve pairs of ovate-lanceolate acute leaflets; stipules acuminated, length of leaves. Plant ascending, smoothish. Siberia, 1818. A very handsome and rare perennial species.

=A. aduncus= (hooked). _fl._ rose purple, in oblong spikes; peduncles rather shorter than the leaves. June and July. _l._ with numerous pairs of roundish-ovate, smooth leaflets, sometimes downy. _h._ 6in. to 9in. Caucasus, 1819. Perennial.

=A. alopecuroides= (foxtail-like).* _fl._ yellow, disposed in thick dense ovate-oblong spikes, on short axillary peduncles. June. _l._ with numerous ovate-lanceolate, pubescent leaflets; stipules ovate-lanceolate, acuminated. Plant erect. _h._ 2ft. to 5ft. Siberia, 1737. One of the finest perennial species grown.

=A. alpinus= (alpine). _fl._ bluish-purple, sometimes whitish, drooping, disposed in racemes of about 1/2in. long. Summer. _l._ impari-pinnate, with eight to twelve pairs of ovate or oblong leaflets. Britain. A very desirable, hairy, prostrate perennial.

=A. arenarius= (sand-loving).* _fl._ blue; peduncles few-flowered, rather shorter than the leaves. June. _l._ with linear-obtuse leaflets; stipules connate, opposite the leaves. Plant diffuse, tomentose from white adpressed down. _h._ 6in. Denmark, 1800. Perennial.

=A. austriacus= (Austrian).* _fl._ few; upper petal, or vexillum, blue, the rest purple; racemes pedunculate, longer than the leaves. May. _l._, leaflets glabrous, linear, truncately emarginate. Plant diffusely procumbent. South Europe, 1640. Perennial.

=A. canadensis= (Canadian). _fl._ yellow, disposed in spikes; peduncles about as long as the leaves. July. _l._ with ten to twelve pairs of elliptic-oblong, bluntish leaflets. Plant nearly erect, rather hairy. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. North America, 1732. Perennial.

=A. Cicer= (Vetch-like). _fl._ pale yellow, disposed in spike-like heads; peduncles longer than the leaves. July. _l._ with ten to thirteen pairs of elliptic-oblong mucronate leaflets. Plant diffusely procumbent. Europe, 1570. Annual.

=A. dahuricus= (Dahurian). _fl._ purple, in dense racemes, which are longer than the leaves. July. _l._, leaflets, seven to nine pairs, oblong, mucronate. Plant erect, pilose. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Dahuria to China, 1822. Perennial.

=A. dasyglottis= (thick-tongued).* _fl._ purple, blue, and white mixed, in capitate spikes; peduncles a little longer than the leaves. June. _l._, leaflets elliptic-oblong, somewhat emarginate; stipules connate, opposite the leaves. _h._ 3in. to 4in. Plant diffuse. Siberia, 1818. A charming little alpine perennial.

=A. falcatus= (hooked). _fl._ greenish yellow, in spikes; peduncles rather longer than the leaves. June. _l._ with sixteen to twenty pairs of elliptic-oblong, acute leaflets. Plant erect, rather hairy. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Siberia (in wet, grassy places). Perennial. SYN. _A. virescens_.

=A. galegiformis= (Galega-like).* _fl._ pale yellow, pendulous, racemose; peduncles longer than the leaves. June. _l._ with twelve to thirteen pairs of elliptic-oblong leaflets. Plant erect, glabrous. _h._ 3ft. to 5ft. Siberia, 1729. A showy perennial species.

=A. Glaux= (Milkwort). _fl._ purplish, in dense heads; peduncles longer than the leaves. June. _l._ with eight to thirteen pairs of small, oblong, acutish leaflets. Spain, 1596. Procumbent annual, clothed with whitish hair.

=A. glycyphyllos= (sweet-leaved).* _fl._ sulphur coloured, in ovate-oblong spikes; peduncles shorter than the leaves. June. _l._ with four, five, to seven pairs of oval, bluntish, smooth leaflets; stipules ovate-lanceolate, entire. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Britain. A perennial prostrate trailer.

=A. hypoglottis= (under-tongued).* _fl._ variegated with purplish, blue and white, disposed in roundish heads; peduncles longer than the leaves, ascending. June. _l._ with numerous little ovate, obtuse, dark green leaflets, somewhat emarginate; stipules connate, ovate. Stems prostrate, rather hairy. _h._ 3in. Britain, &c. Perennial trailer.

=A. h. alba= (white-flowered).* This resembles the type, except in the colour of the flowers.

=A. leucophyllus= (hoary-leaved).* _fl._ pale yellow, about 1/2in. long, in dense racemes; peduncles much longer than the leaves. July and August. _l._, leaflets in numerous pairs, broadly-linear, covered with soft, silky pubescence. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. North America. Perennial.

=A. maximus= (largest).* _fl._ yellow; spike sessile, cylindrical, nearly terminal. June. _l._ with ovate-lanceolate, pubescent leaflets; stipules oblong-lanceolate. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Armenia. A very handsome, erect, perennial species.

=A. monspessulanus= (Montpelier).* _fl._ usually purplish, spicate; peduncles longer than the leaves. June. _l._, leaflets twenty-one to forty-one, ovate or lanceolate, outer ones rather the smallest. Leaves hoary, and plant almost stemless when growing in dry exposed situations; but in rich earth or moist places the leaves are almost glabrous, and the stem becomes elongated. South Europe, 1710. This species is much appreciated, and well deserves a place in all collections. Evergreen trailer. See Fig. 188.

=A. narbonensis= (Narbonne). _fl._ yellow, disposed in somewhat globose spikes, on short axillary peduncles. June. _l._ with oblong-linear leaflets; stipules lanceolate. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Narbonne and Madrid, 1789. An erect hairy perennial.

=A. odoratus= (sweet-scented). _fl._ pale yellow, sweet-scented, disposed in spikes; peduncles same length as leaves. June. _l._ with eleven to fourteen pairs of oblong acute leaflets; stipules connate. Plant erect, rather ascending. _h._ 6in. Levant, 1820. Perennial.

=A. onobrychioides= (Onobrychis-like).* _fl._ beautiful purple, in capitate spikes on long peduncles. July. _l._ with eight to ten pairs of elliptic leaflets; stipules connate, opposite the leaves. Plant rather diffuse, shrubby at the base, clothed with adpressed hairs. _h._ 9in. to 12in. Iberia, Persia, &c., 1819. A very handsome perennial species.

=A. Onobrychis= (Onobrychis). _fl._ purple; spikes oblong-ovate, pedunculate, longer than the leaves. June. _l._ with seven to sixteen pairs of oblong leaflets. _h._ 1-1/2ft., or procumbent. Mountains Southern Europe, 1640. This is an elegant perennial, and ranks among the very best. The varieties, all white flowered, are: _alpinus_, _major_, _microphyllus_ and _moldavicus_, but only the first-named is now in cultivation.

=A. pannosus= (woolly).* _fl._ rose-coloured, in compact globose heads, with peduncles shorter than the leaves. July. _l._ with four, five, to nine pairs of ovate-lanceolate leaflets, thickly coated with long white woolly hairs. _h._ 6in. to 9in. Siberia. Perennial.

=A. ponticus= (Pontic). _fl._ yellow; spikes sessile, almost globose. July. _l._ oblong, smoothish; stipules lanceolate. Stem rather hairy. _h._ 2ft. Tauria, 1820. A very showy, erect, border perennial.

=A. purpureus= (purple). _fl._ purplish blue, disposed in capitate spikes; peduncles longer than the leaves. June. _l._, leaflets obovate, bidentate at the apex; stipules connate, opposite the leaves. Plant diffuse, procumbent, rather hairy. _h._ 3in. to 6in. Provence, 1820. Perennial.

=A. sulcatus= (furrowed).* _fl._ pale violet, but with a white keel, tipped with brown; racemes pedunculate, longer than the leaves. July. _l._ with linear-lanceolate leaflets. Plant erect, glabrous; stem furrowed. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Siberia, 1783. Perennial.

=A. Tragacantha= (great goat's thorn).* Gum Tragacanth. _fl._ pale violet, two to five together, axillary, sessile. June. _l._ with eight to nine pairs of linear hispid leaflets; young stipules connate, clothed with silky hairs; adult ones glabrous; petioles permanent, at length becoming hardened spines. _h._ 1-1/2ft. to 3ft. Levant, 1640. Evergreen shrub. Tragacanth, a partially soluble gum, was formerly supposed to be furnished by this plant. It is, however, now known that _A. Tragacantha_ yields none. Several species from mountainous regions in Asia Minor, &c., furnish the gum.

=A. vaginatus= (sheathed-stipuled). _fl._ rosy-purple, with white-tipped wings; calyx rather inflated, covered with soft white and black hairs; spikes dense. Summer. _l._ impari-pinnate, with seven or eight pairs of elongated-oblong leaflets, both surfaces covered with short silvery hairs. _h._ 1ft. Siberia. Perennial.

=A. vesicarius= (bladdery). _fl._, upper petal purple, the wings yellow, and the keel white, tipped with yellow; calyx clothed with black adpressed down and long white spreading hairs; peduncles longer than the leaves. July. _l._ with five to seven pairs of elliptic leaflets. Plant diffusely procumbent, hoary from adpressed silky down. _h._ 6in. to 9in. France, 1737. Perennial trailer.

=A viminens= (twiggy). _fl._, upper petal purplish rose, much longer than the pure white wings; calyx clothed with black hairs; spikes somewhat capitate, pedunculate, longer than the leaves. June. _l._ with four to six pairs of lanceolate acute leaflets, beset with adpressed hairs. _h._ 6in. to 1ft. Siberia, 1816. A handsome perennial.

=A. virescens= (greenish). Synonymous with _A. falcata_.

=A. vulpinus= (fox).* _fl._ pale yellow; spikes nearly globose, on very short peduncles. June. _l._ with obovate, obtuse, emarginate, rather velvety leaflets. Plant erect; stem glabrous. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Caucasus, 1815. A handsome border perennial.

=ASTRANTIA= (from _astron_, a star, and _anti_, in composition signifying comparison; in reference to the appearance of the umbels of flowers). ORD. _Umbelliferæ_. Ornamental, hardy, herbaceous perennials, natives of Europe and Caucasus. Universal umbels irregular, of few rays, surrounded by variable involucre; partial umbels regular, and containing many flowers, surrounded by many-leaved involucels. Radical leaves petiolate, palmately lobed; cauline ones few, sessile. Roots blackish. These are suited for borders, banks, and woodlands, growing well in any ordinary garden soil, but preferring a damp position. Easily increased by root divisions in autumn or spring.

=A. carniolica= (Carniolan).* _fl._ white. May. _l._ of involucre twelve to thirteen, quite entire, white, with a green line running along the middle of each, tinged with red; radical ones palmate; lobes five to seven, oblong, acuminated, unequally serrated. _h._ 6in. to 12in. Carniola, 1812. A pretty species.

=A. helleborifolia= (Hellebore-leaved).* _fl._ (and involucre) pink, pedicellate. June. _l._ of involucre twelve to thirteen, ovate-lanceolate, exceeding the umbel a little, bristly; radical ones palmate; lobes three, ovate-lanceolate, unequally serrated. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Eastern Caucasus, 1804. SYN. _A. maxima_.

=A. major= (greater).* _fl._ pinkish, pedicellate. May. _l._ of involucre fifteen to twenty, linear-lanceolate, quite entire, hardly longer than the umbel; radical ones palmate; lobes five, ovate-lanceolate, acute, rather trifid, toothed. _h._ 1ft to 2ft. Europe, 1596. Very distinct and ornamental.

=A. maxima= (greatest). Synonymous with _A. helleborifolia_.

=ASTRAPÆA= (from _astrape_, lightning; alluding to the brightness of the flowers). ORD. _Sterculiaceæ_. Elegant stove evergreen trees. Peduncles axillary, long, bearing on their apex an umbel of large sessile flowers, enclosed in a leafy involucre. Leaves alternate, stalked, cordate, three to five-lobed. They thrive well in a mixture of loam and peat, and require a plentiful supply of water; but the best results accrue if the bottom of the pot can be stood in a saucer or tub of water. Propagated by cuttings of young wood, made in April, placed in a compost of loam and peat, or sand, under a bell glass, in heat.

=A. tiliæflora= (Lime-tree leaved). _fl._ pink. _h._ 20ft. Isle of Bourbon, 1824.

=A. viscosa= (clammy). _fl._ pink. _h._ 20ft. Madagascar, 1823.

=A. Wallichii= (Wallich's).* _fl._ scarlet; umbels drooping. July. _l._ large, cordate, angularly lobed; stipulas leafy, ovate-acuminated; peduncles long, hairy. _h._ 30ft. Madagascar, 1820. This splendid species has often been described as being one of the finest plants ever introduced into this country; and, when in full flower, nothing can exceed it in beauty and grandeur.

=ASTROCARYUM= (from _astron_, a star, and _karyon_, a nut; referring to the disposition of the fruit). SYN. _Phœnico-phorum_. ORD. _Palmaceæ_. Very ornamental stove palms, allied to _Cocos_, having the trunk (when present), foliage, fruit-stalks, spathes, and sometimes the fruit, covered with spines. The flowers develop from the axils of the old decayed leaves. Drupes oval, one-seeded, orange or yellow, in some species fragrant. Leaves pinnate, with linear segments, dark green above, and often of a silvery white below. The species thrive in a compost of two-thirds rich loam and one-third vegetable mould; water may be given copiously. Propagation may be effected by seeds, which should be sown in spring in a hotbed; or by suckers, if they are to be obtained.

=A. acaule= (stemless). _l._ pinnate, 3ft. to 10ft. long, slender and spreading; pinnæ narrow, arranged in clusters, pendent. Spines very numerous, long, flat, black. _h._ 10ft. Brazil, 1820.

=A. aculeatum= (prickly). _h._ 40ft. Guiana, 1824.

=A. argenteum= (silvery).* _l._ arching, wedge-shaped, pinnate, distinctly plicate, bright green on the upper surface, the under surface, as well as the stalks, covered with a fine white scurf, which gives them a silvered appearance. Columbia, 1875. One of the best of silver palms.

=A. filare= (thready).* _l._ erect, narrowly cuneate, with two divergent lobes; petioles covered with white scurf, both on the upper and under surfaces. Distinct and elegant, with a comparatively small and slender growth. Columbia, 1875.

=A. granatense= (New Grenadan). _l._ pinnate, with oblong-acuminate segments; the rachis is spiny, like the petiole, both on the upper and lower surfaces; leafstalks brownish, armed with numerous scattered needle-shaped dark-coloured spines. Columbia, 1876.

=A. mexicanum= (Mexican). Mexico, 1864.

=A. Muru-Muru= (Murumuru). _l._ pinnate, 10ft. to 12ft. long; leaflets lanceolate, sub-falcate, dark green above, silvery white below. Stem 12ft. to 15ft. high, densely clothed with strong reflexed black spines, over 6in. long. _h._ 40ft. Brazil, 1825.

=A. rostratum= (beak-sheathed). _l._ irregularly pinnate, 3ft. to 8ft. long; pinnæ 12in. to 18in. long; terminal lobe much larger and bifid, dark green above, silvery white below; petioles broadly sheathing at the base, densely armed with black spines, sometimes 2in. long. Stem slender, densely clothed with long black spines. A slow grower, ultimately becoming 30ft. high. Brazil, 1854.

=A. vulgare= (common). _h._ 30ft. Brazil, 1825.

=ASTROLOBIUM.= _See_ =Ornithopus=.

=ASTROLOMA= (from _astron_, a star, and _loma_, a fringe; in reference to the bearded limb of the corolla). ORD. _Epacridaceæ_. Very handsome, little, diffuse, greenhouse, evergreen shrubs. Flowers solitary, axillary; corolla tubular, distended above the middle, and with five bundles of hairs in the inside, near its base. Leaves crowded, alternate, linear, or obovate-lanceolate and mucronate. They thrive best in an equal mixture of sand, loam, and peat, with thorough drainage. Propagated by young cuttings, which root readily in sandy soil, under a bell glass, in a cool house.

=A. denticulatum= (finely-toothed). _fl._ axillary, erect; corolla pale red, with a ventricose tube. May to July. _l._ scattered, lanceolate, ciliated, usually procumbent, but sometimes slightly erect. _h._ 1ft. New Holland, 1824.

=A. humifusum= (trailing). _fl._ scarlet, similar to the foregoing. May and June. _l._ lanceolate-linear, rather convex above, with ciliated edges. Shrub prostrate, much branched. _h._ 1ft. New Holland, 1807.

=ASTROPHYTUM MYRIOSTIGMA.= _See_ =Echinocactus myriostigma=.

=ASYSTASIA= (meaning not clear). ORD. _Acanthaceæ_. Stove evergreen shrubs. Flowers disposed in axillary or terminal clusters; corolla somewhat funnel-shaped, five-lobed; calyx five-lobed, regular. Branches slender. They require a compost of peat and loam, with a little sand, and, to induce a vigorous growth, a little dry cow-dung may be applied. Propagated by cuttings of young shoots, placed in sandy soil, under a bell glass, in April, with a brisk bottom heat.

=A. chelonioides= (Chelonia-like).* _fl._ in terminal racemes, reddish purple, the border white. _l._ opposite, ovate-acute. _h._ 34ft. India, 1871. A pretty dwarf sub-shrub.

=A. coromandeliana= (Coromandel). _fl._ deep lilac; racemes axillary, elongated, secund, strict. July. _l._ opposite, cordate-ovate; branches diffuse. _h._ 4ft. India, 1845. SYN. _Justicia gangetica_.

=A. macrophylla= (large-leaved).* _fl._ bilabiate, bell-shaped, rosy purple outside, and almost pure white within; spikes terminal, erect, 1ft. long. June. _l._ very large, obovate-lanceolate. _h._ 8ft. to 20ft. Fernando Po, 1867.

=A. scandens= (climbing).* _fl._ cream-coloured; tube of corolla widened and recurved above, lobes of limb crenately curved; racemes terminal, compact, thyrse-formed. July. _l._ obovate or ovate acute, glabrous. _h._ 6ft. Sierra Leone, 1845. This handsome stove climber requires a high, moist temperature after shifting. SYN. _Henfreya scandens_.

=A. violacea= (violet).* _fl._ violet purple, striped with white, in terminal racemes. _l._ shortly-stalked, ovate-acuminate, deep green, minutely hairy on both surfaces. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. India, 1870. A pretty dwarf plant.

=ATACCIA CRISTATA.= _See_ =Tacca integrifolia=.

=ATALANTIA= (mythological: Atalanta, the daughter of Schœneus). ORD. _Rutaceæ_. A genus of ornamental stove evergreen shrubs, having the eight stamens united below into a tube, and with undivided leaves. It comprises about ten species. They thrive well in a mixture of loam and peat. Propagated by means of ripened cuttings, which will root readily if planted in sand under a hand glass, in heat.

=A. monophylla= (one-leaved). _fl._ small, white, in axillary racemes. _fr._ golden yellow, about the size of a nutmeg. June. _l._ simple, ovate-oblong, emarginate at the apex. Spines small, simple. _h._ 8ft. India, 1777. A thorny shrub.

=ATAMASCO LILY.= _See_ =Zephyranthes Atamasco=.