Part 56

=B. striata= (striped). _fl.-heads_ rather large, in a panicled leafy corymb; ray florets white; disk yellow. _l._ ternately pinnated, glabrous. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Autumn. Mexico. (B. M. 3155.)

=BIDENTATE.= With two teeth.

=BIEBERSTEINIA= (named after Frederic Marschall Bieberstein, a Russian naturalist, author of "Flora Taurico-Caucasica," and other works). ORD. _Rutaceæ_. A genus of half-hardy herbaceous perennials. They thrive in a compost of loam, peat, and sand. Propagated by cuttings, placed under a hand glass in early summer; or by seeds, sown in a slight hotbed in March or April.

=B. odora= (sweet). _fl._ yellow; racemes terminal, simple; petals entire. May. _l._ impari-pinnate; leaflets roundish, deeply toothed. Plant beset with glandular hairs. _h._ 1ft. Altaia, 1837.

=BIENNIAL.= A term applied to plants occupying two years in the development from seed to the maturation of seed: growing one year, flowering, fruiting, and dying the next. Seeds of Hardy Biennials are, as a rule, sown from June to August, to flower the succeeding season. Tender varieties are sown in a frame or cool house, and kept there all winter, being transferred from the frames or houses to the open border, in June. Wallflowers, Foxgloves, Canterbury Bells, and Sweet Williams, may be taken as fair types of Biennials, although they often assume more than a Biennial character on light sandy soils.

=BIFARIOUS.= Two-ranked; arranged in two opposite rows.

=BIFID.= Divided about half-way down into two parts; two-cleft.

=BIFOLIATE.= Compound leaves with two leaflets.

=BIFRENARIA= (from _bis_, twice, and _frænum_, a strap; in reference to a double strap or band, by means of which the pollen masses are connected with their gland). ORD. _Orchideæ_. A genus of pretty stove orchids, allied to _Maxillaria_, and distinguished from it by having two fræna or caudicles to their pollen masses. For culture, _see_ =Maxillaria=.

=B. aurantiaca= (orange-coloured).* _fl._ orange; lateral lobes of lip semi-cordate, middle one transverse, sub-undulated, callous at the base; raceme erect. October. _l._ oblong, plicate. Pseudo-bulb roundish, compressed, two-leaved. _h._ 9in. Demerara, 1834. (B. R. 1875.)

=B. aureo-fulva= (orange-tawny). _fl._ orange, on long pedicels; lip unguiculate, three-lobed; scape radical, many-flowered. October. _l._ oblong-lanceolate. Pseudo-bulb roundish-ovate, wrinkled, one-leaved. _h._ 1ft. Brazil, 1840.

=B. Hadwenii= (Hadwen's). _fl._ each nearly 4in. across; petals and sepals 1/2in. broad, yellow green, beautifully blotched or mottled with a rich brown; lip large, above 1in. broad, white, with striped spots of rose. June. _l._ long, 1/4in. broad. _h._ 1-1/2in. Brazil, 1851. SYN. _Scuticaria Hadwenii_. (B. M. 4629.)

=B. H. bella= (charming).* A new variety with sepals and petals whitish yellow outside, brilliant shining cinnamon inside, with a few spots, bars, and blotches of whitish sulphur colour; lip wide, white, with one light brown spot behind, and a larger one in front of the callus; radiating light brown lines on lateral lobes, and mauve ones on anterior lobe.

=B. H. pardalina= (leopard-marked).* A very beautiful variety, having sepals and petals with brown circles or polygonal figures on a light yellow ground; lip light ochre-coloured at its basilar part, white in front, with radiating mauve-purple streaks. This variety is extremely rare.

=B. vitellina= (yolk-coloured).* _fl._ yellowish purple; lip cuneate, three-lobed; lateral lobes acute, crenulated; racemes drooping. July. _l._ lanceolate. Pseudo-bulb ovate, bluntly angular, one-leaved. _h._ 1ft. Brazil, 1838.

=BIFURCATE.= Twice-forked.

=BIGELOVIA= (named after Dr. Jacob Bigelow, author of "Florula Bostoniensis," &c.). ORD. _Compositæ_. A genus of hardy shrubs, sub-shrubs, or herbaceous plants, as now understood, comprising several subjects formerly referred to _Chrysothamnus_, _Linosyris_, &c. Flower-heads disposed in corymbs; involucre imbricated, oblong, or campanulate; receptacle flat. Leaves alternate, linear or lanceolate. They thrive in any ordinary garden soil. Propagated by cuttings.

=B. Howardii= (Howard's). _fl.-heads_ yellow; involucre narrow. A low shrub. SYN. _Linosyris Howardii_.

=B. nudata= (naked). _fl.-heads_ yellow. September. _l._ scattered, oblanceolate or linear. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. New Jersey. Perennial.

=B. paniculata= (panicled). _fl.-heads_ yellow, barely 1/2in. long, loosely panicled, five-flowered. California. Shrubby.

=BIGEMINATE.= Doubly paired.

=BIGLANDULARIA.= _See_ =Sinningia=.

=BIGNONIA= (so named by Tournefort, in compliment to the Abbé Bignon, librarian to Louis IV.). ORD. _Bignoniaceæ_. A large genus of usually scandent shrubs, furnished with tendrils; rarely erect trees or shrubs. Flowers axillary and terminal, usually panicled; corolla with a short tube, a campanulate throat, and a five-lobed, bilabiate limb. Leaves opposite, simple, conjugate, ternate, digitate or pinnatifid. These handsome plants are particularly suited for large houses, where, if well grown, they give great satisfaction. The primary point in their culture is to obtain free and, at the same time, sturdy growth, giving due attention to training, pruning, &c., or the plants soon exceed all limits. Like all free-growing plants, Bignonias thrive best planted out in the borders of the stove or greenhouse, or out of doors, as the case may be; but the space allowed should be limited, in order to restrict root production. They may either be trained to cover the back wall, or be planted in a border in front, and trained up the rafters, or on wires, arranged where most desirable. In summer, allow all the strongest shoots to grow, training them so as to have as much sunlight as possible-—which is absolutely necessary to well ripen the wood, and make it capable of producing flowers—-without entirely shutting it out from the plants below. Soil: A compost of two part fibrous loam, one part peat, one of leaf mould, and a due proportion of sand, will be found most satisfactory. The loam and peat should be used in a rough state, unsifted, as this will keep the border open for some years, and thorough drainage should be effected. Propagation: Seed being rarely procurable, the most satisfactory method of propagation is by cuttings, made of good strong shoots, in early spring. Three joints are sufficient to make a cutting, if short-jointed; if long-jointed, two are sufficient. Place them in a well-drained pot of sandy soil, under a bell glass, in bottom heat. As these cuttings are young and fleshy, they are liable to damp off; hence it is necessary, for the first two or three weeks, to wipe the moisture from the glasses every morning, and water sparingly. If well managed, they will root in about two months, and should then have the glasses left off every night for a week; they should then be transferred to small pots in the compost above described, passing it through a coarse sieve, to extract the stones and rough pieces of soil. After potting, the plants should be kept close for a short time, till they are able to bear full exposure to the light. In a year's time, they will be large enough to plant out in their permanent quarters. Bignonias may also be increased by layering.

=B. æquinoxialis= (equinoxial). _fl._ yellow; peduncles two-flowered, terminal ones racemose. June to October. _l._ glabrous, conjugate; leaflets oblong-lanceolate. Tendrils simple, axillary. Cayenne, 1768.

=B. æ. Chamberlaynii= (Chamberlayn's).* _fl._, corolla yellow, funnel-shaped; segments obtuse; racemes axillary, six to eight-flowered. April to October, _l._, leaflets ovate, acuminated, glabrous, shining above. Tendrils strong, simple. Brazil, 1820. (B. R. 741.)

=B. æsculifolia= (Chestnut-leaved). A synonym of _Tabebiua æsculifolia_.

=B. apurensis= (Apuran). _fl._ pedicellate, 2in. long; corolla yellow, funnel-shaped, with roundish, spreading, nearly equal lobes; spikes terminal, sessile. _l._ ternate; leaflets elliptic-oblong, short-acuminated, acutish at the base. Shady banks of the river Apures, near El Diamante, 1824.

=B. argyreo-violascens= (silvery-violet). _l._ white-veined, in a young state violet. South America, 1865. (F. M. 1865, 26.)

=B. aurantiaca= (orange). _fl._ orange-coloured. South America, 1874.

=B. capreolata= (tendrilled).* _fl._, corolla orange; peduncles axillary, one-flowered, crowded. April to August. _l._ conjugate; leaflets cordate oblong; lower ones simple. Tendrils small, trifid. North America, 1710. Hardy in south of England. (B. M. 864.)

=B. c. atro-sanguinea= (dark blood-red). _fl._ red-purple. Summer. United States. (B. M. 6501.)

=B. Cherere= (Chirere).* _fl._, corollas orange, 2in. long; cymes axillary. June to November. _l._, lower ones ternate, upper ones conjugate, cirrhose; leaflets ovate, acuminated, sometimes sub-cordate, glabrous. Guiana (in woods and on the banks of rivers), 1824. (B. R. 1301.)

=B. Chica= (Chica). _fl._, corolla funnel-shaped, violaceous; limb with nearly equal, rounded segments; panicles axillary, pendulous. _l._ 8in. to 10in. long, abruptly bipinnate; leaflets conjugate, elliptic-ovate, acuminated, deeply cordate, glabrous. Tendrils simple. Banks of the Orinoco, 1819.

=B. chrysantha= (yellow-flowered). _fl._ terminal, crowded; corolla yellow, 2in. long. May. _l._, leaflets five, ovate, acuminated, tomentose, on pedicels 5in. long. _h._ 12ft. to 26ft. Caraccas, 1823. Tree.

=B. chrysoleuca= (yellowish-white). _fl._, corolla yellow, with a white limb, glabrous, 1-1/2in. long; peduncles three to five-flowered. June, July. _l._ conjugate; leaflets 5in. to 6in. long, 2in. broad, oblong acuminated, glabrous, rounded at the base, shining. Tendrils undivided. Banks of the River Magdalena, 1824.

=B. Clematis= (Clematis-like).* _fl._, corolla white, yellowish inside; lobes nearly equal, roundish, red; panicles axillary, downy. _l._ 7in. to 8in. long, conjugately pinnate, with an odd one; leaflets 2in. long, 1in. broad, ovate, narrowed at top, acute, cordate at the base, glabrous. Branches quadrangular, glabrous. Caraccas, 1820.

=B. diversifolia= (diverse-leaved). _fl._, corolla yellow, campanulately funnel-shaped; panicles terminal. _l._ conjugate and simple; leaflets roundish-ovate, acuminated, sub-cordate, glabrous, shining. Tendrils undivided. Branches quadrangular, striated. Mexico, 1825.

=B. floribunda= (many-flowered).* _fl._, corolla purplish, funnel-shaped, eight lines long; panicles axillary, powdery, with opposite branches and dichotomous branchlets. _l._ conjugate; leaflets 2-1/2in. long, oblong-elliptic, acuminated, acute at the base, glabrous, shining. Tendrils undivided. Branches beset with white warts and fine powder. Mexico, 1824.

=B. lactiflora= (milk-flowered). _fl._, corolla milk white, 1-1/2in. long, villously tomentose on the outside; racemes twin, with a petiolate bract at the base of each pedicel. April and July. _l._ conjugate; leaflets 2in. long, cordate, ovate, glabrous. Branches striated. Tendrils trifid. Santa Cruz, 1823.

=B. leucoxyla= (white-wooded). A synonym of _Tabebiua leucoxyla_.

=B. litoralis= (shore). _fl._, corolla funnel-shaped, red, downy outside; panicles axillary, dichotomously branched. May to July. _l._ ternate; leaflets roundish-ovate, acuminated, clothed with soft hair on both surfaces. Branches terete, glabrous; branchlets hairy. Mexico, 1824.

=B. magnifica= (magnificent).* _fl._ varying from delicate mauve to rich purplish-crimson; throat light primrose colour, very large, 3-1/2in. across; panicles large, branching. Summer. _l._ opposite, on rather long petioles, broadly ovate. Columbia, 1879. A very handsome species. See Fig. 250, for which we are indebted to Mr. Bull.

=B. mollis= (soft). _fl._ small, downy; panicle terminal, many-flowered. _l._ trifoliate; leaflets 5in. long, ovate, sub-cordate, downy on both surfaces. Cayenne, 1818.

=B. molissima= (very soft). _fl._, corollas somewhat funnel-shaped, downy inside; panicles axillary, dichotomously branched, downy. _l._ conjugate and simple; leaflets 2-1/2in. long, 1-1/2in. broad, ovate, acute, cordate, clothed with soft hairs above. Caraccas, 1820.

=B. pallida= (pale).* _fl._ axillary, usually solitary; corolla 2in. long, funnel-shaped, with a yellow tube, and a pale lilac limb; lobes crenately ciliated. July. _l._ simple, opposite, oblong, obtuse, rather cordate at the base. Branches terete. St. Vincent, 1823. (B. R. 965.)

=B. picta= (painted). A synonym of _B. speciosa_.

=B. radicans= (rooting). _See_ =Tecoma radicans=.

=B. reticulata= (netted). Columbia, 1873.

=B. Roezlii= (Roezl's). Columbia, 1870.

B. SALICIFOLIA (Willow-leaved). _fl._, corolla funnel-shaped, 1-1/2in. long, copper-coloured, with a white limb; peduncles axillary, three to six-flowered, downy. Summer. _l._ conjugate; leaflets lanceolate, 3in. long, acute at both ends, quite glabrous, shining. Branches terete, sulcate. Trinidad, 1824.

=B. speciosa= (beautiful).* _fl._ pink, stained with purple; calyx spathaceous, split on one side; panicles terminal. May. _l._ pinnate, ternate and verticillate; leaflets oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, shining, serrate. _h._ 4ft. Uruguay, 1840. A glabrous evergreen shrub. SYN. _B. picta_. (B. M. 3888.)

=B. spectabilis= (showy). _fl._, corolla 3in. long, rather coriaceous, glabrous, purple; racemes terminal, short, having the two lower pedicels three-flowered, and the rest one-flowered. _l._ conjugate; leaflets ovate-oblong, acuminated, obtuse. Santa Cruz, &c., 1820.

=B. Tweediana= (Tweedie's). _fl._ yellow; corolla glabrous, limb deeply five-parted, ciliated; segments emarginate; peduncles one-flowered. Summer. _l._ conjugate; leaflets lanceolate, acuminate; petioles downy. Buenos Ayres, 1838. (B. R. 26, 45.)

=B. variabilis= (variable).* _fl._, corolla 3in. long, with a greenish-yellow tube; limb ultimately white; racemes simple, short, many-flowered, terminal. June to August. _l._, lower ones biternate; superior ones conjugate; divisions ternate. Branches tetragonal. Tendrils trifid. Caraccas, 1819.

=B. venusta= (lovely). _fl._, corolla crimson, clavately funnel-shaped, with a spreading border, villous inside; corymbs terminal, many-flowered. August to December. _l._, lower ones ternate; superior ones conjugate; leaflets oblong-ovate, acuminated oblique at the base. Brazil, 1816. (B. R. 249.)

=BIGNONIACEÆ.= A large order of trees, or twining or climbing shrubby plants. Flowers usually trumpet-shaped; corolla usually irregular, four or five-lobed, and with a swollen portion below its mouth; stamens five, unequal. Fruit, a two-valved, often pod-like capsule. Leaves usually opposite, compound. The best-known genera are _Bignonia_, _Catalpa_, _Eccremocarpus_, _Jacaranda_, and _Tecoma_.

=BIJUGATE.= A compound leaf, with two pairs of leaflets.

=BILABIATE.= Having two lips.

=BILBERRY.= _See_ =Vaccinium Myrtillus=.

=BILIMBI TREE.= _See_ =Averrhoa Bilimbi=.

=BILL.= A cutting instrument, curved forward, or hook-shaped toward the point, and fitted with a handle, like a hatchet. It is used for pruning, &c. When short, it is called a Hand-bill; when long, a Hedge-bill, or Hedge-hook.

=BILLARDIERA= (in honour of Jacques Julien Labillardiere, a celebrated French botanist and traveller). Apple Berry. ORD. _Pittosporaceæ_. Very desirable greenhouse evergreen climbers. Peduncles solitary from the apex of the branches, one-flowered, pendulous; calyx of five subulate sepals; petals five, combined into a tube below, generally yellow; stamens five. Fruit edible. Leaves alternate. They thrive either in pots or planted out in a compost of fibrous loam, leaf soil, and peat, in equal proportions, with thorough drainage. Cuttings, dibbled in a pot of sandy soil, placed under a bell glass, in gentle heat, root readily. They may also be raised from seed, which several of the species produce in abundance.

=B. angustifolia= (narrow-leaved). A synonym of _B. scandens_.

=B. longiflora= (long-flowered).* _fl._ greenish-yellow, often changing to purple, solitary; pedicels glabrous. Berries blue. May to August. _l._ lanceolate, entire. Van Diemen's Land, 1810. A very free-growing and profuse-flowering species. SYN. _B. ovalis_. See Fig. 251. (B. M. 1507.)

=B. mutabilis= (changeable). A synonym of _B. scandens_.

=B. ovalis= (oval-leaved). A synonym of _B. longiflora_.

=B. scandens= (climbing).* _fl._ cream-coloured, at length purplish, solitary; pedicels same length as the flower. June to September. _l._ lanceolate-linear, entire. Branches, when young, villous. New Holland, 1795. SYNS. _B. mutabilis_, _B. angustifolia_. (B. M. 1313.)

=BILLBERGIA= (named after J. G. Billberg, a Swedish botanist). ORD. _Bromeliaceæ_. A genus of handsome stove plants. Flowers borne on light panicles; calyx three-parted; corolla of three convolute petals, scaly at the base; stamens inserted into the base of the perianth. Leaves harsh, rigid. These require much the same treatment as recommended for _Æchmea_. The most suitable soil is a mixture of peat, leaf soil, and loam in about equal parts, to which is added some sharp sand, to keep it open and porous. Free and perfect drainage is absolutely necessary for the successful culture of this class of plants, and a layer of moss should be placed over the crocks previous to filling the pots with soil. Although fond of heat, Billbergias will, when in flower, bear removal to a cooler house than a stove; and, if they are kept a little dry at the same time, the change will greatly prolong their blooming period. The stronger growing kinds thrive well in rich, well-drained loam and leaf mould. Propagation is effected by carefully taking off the suckers which form at the base, after the plants have done flowering; but, before doing this, they should be allowed to attain a good size. The suckers grow quickly when attached to the parent stem, from which they derive their strength, and feel the check less when severed; besides which, they become more mature, and are in better condition for rooting. The best method to adopt is as follows: Take the sucker in the hand and gently twist it off the stem; next trim the base by the removal of a few of the lower leaves, and then insert each sucker separately in a small pot, in sharp soil. A bottom heat of about 80deg. will greatly facilitate new root-growth; failing this, they will root freely in the temperature of a stove if placed in a shaded position for two or three weeks, after which they will bear increased light and sunshine during the later part of the day. _See also_ =Æchmea= and =Androlepis=.

=B. amœna= (pleasing). _fl._ greenish-white, tipped with blue, loosely panicled; bracts rose-coloured. July to winter. _l._ ligulate, abruptly acuminate, slightly spiny. _h._ 2ft. Brazil, 1817. (B. R. 344.)

=B. Baraquiniana= (Baraquin's).* _fl._ green; spikes long, the upper portion pendulous, bearing four or five large, oblong-lanceolate, bright scarlet bracts at the base of the flowers; the stem above the bracts is hoary white. Early spring. _l._ ligulate, tapering to a point, where, as well as at the edges, they are armed with sharp reddish spines, arched, transversely variegated with white scurfy bars. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Brazil, 1865. (I. H. 1864, 421.)

=B. chlorosticta= (green-spotted). Synonymous with _B. Saundersii_.

=B. iridifolia= (Iris-leaved).* _fl._ red and yellow, tipped with blue, in drooping spikes; rachis and bracts crimson. March. _l._ lanceolate, ensiform, 1-1/2ft., grey beneath. _h._ 1ft. Rio de Janeiro, 1825. (B. R. 1068.)

=B. Liboniana= (Libon's).* _fl._, outer perianth segments beautiful coral red, about half as long as the inner ones, which are whitish at the base, and a splendid purple upwards. Winter. _l._ in a dense rosette. _h._ 1ft. Brazil, 1858. (B. M. 5090.)

=B. Lietzei= (Lietz's).* _fl._ in loose terminal racemes, each subtended by lanceolate pink bracts; sepals rosy pink, half as long as the greenish corolla. _l._ tufted, ligulate, acute; margin spiny. Brazil, 1881. A double-flowered variety, with petaloid stamens, is mentioned by M. Morren, which is interesting in being the first double-flowered Bromeliad yet recorded. (B. H. 1881, 97.)

=B. marmorata= (marbled).* _fl._ deep blue; calyces green, tipped with blue; bracts very large, leafy, oblong, bright scarlet; panicles erect, branched, much longer than the leaves. _l._ broadly ligulate, sheathing at the base, truncate-mucronate at the apex; edges very regularly toothed, deep green, freely blotched and barred with dull reddish-brown. (I. H. 2, 48.)

=B. Moreli= (Morel's).* _fl._, sepals red, densely woolly, less than half as long as the purplish-violet petals; spike dense, drooping; bracts large, deep rosy red, much longer than the solitary sessile flowers. February. _l._ arching, lanceolate, shining green on both surfaces; marginal spines few and weak, _h._ 1ft. Brazil, 1848. An excellent basket plant. SYN. _B. Moreliana_. (B. H. 1873, 1, 2.)

=B. Moreliana= (Morel's). Synonymous with _B. Moreli_.

=B. nutans= (nodding). _fl._, sepals reddish; petals yellowish-green, both with a blue margin; scapes slender, nodding, with a few large rosy bracts, terminating in a short drooping spike. Winter. _l._ numerous, long, narrow, ensiform, remotely spiny. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Brazil, 1868. See Fig. 252. (B. M. 6423.)

=B. pallescens= (pallid). _fl._ greenish-white; ovary deeply grooved; spike pendulous; bracts lanceolate, of a beautiful rose-pink. Winter. _l._ dark green, and spotted on the upper surface, paler beneath, with transverse bars. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Brazil, 1856. SYNS. _B. pallida_ and _B. Wioti_.

=B. pallida= (pale). Synonymous with _B. pallescens_.

=B. pyramidalis= (pyramidal). _fl._ red, with purple margin, in erect spikes; bracts lanceolate, rosy. February. _l._ curved, ligulate-lanceolate, with white bands beneath. _h._ 1ft. Peru, 1822. (B. H. 1873, 16.)

=B. Quesneliana= (Quesnel's).* _fl._ deep purple; bracts flesh-coloured; upper ones variegated with white. _h._ 6ft. Guiana, 1874. An erect growing species, possessing the same habit as _B. rosea-marginata_, but having the leaves more acuminate, and deep green in colour. SYN. _Quesnelia rufa_. (F. d. S. 10, 1026.)

=B. rosea-marginata= (rose-margined).* _fl._, inflorescence a dense oblong spike of light blue, subtended by large, broad, deep, rose-coloured bracts, with scarious margins. January. _l._ sheathing at the base, about 2ft. long, channelled, spiny on the margin, and marked with transverse mealy bands. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Tropical America, 1880. SYNS. _B. rubro-marginata_ and _Quesnelia roseo-marginata_.

=B. rubro-marginata= (red-margined). Synonymous with _B. rosea-marginata_.