Chapter M: A. S. Salm-Dyck. Monographia generum Aloes et Mesembryanthemi (21)

=B. socotrana= (Socotra).* Stem annual, stout and succulent,
forming at base a cluster of bulbils, each of which produces
a plant the following year; sparsely hairy. _l._ dark green,
orbicular, peltate, 4in. to 7in. across, centre depressed; margin
recurved, crenate. _fl._ in terminal, few-flowered cymes, 1-1/2in.
to 2in. wide, bright rose. Capsule three-angled, one-winged.
Winter. Socotra, 1880. Should be rested through the summer, and
started in heat in September. A distinct and beautiful species. (B.
M. 6555.)

=B. spathulata= (spathulate). Synonymous with _B. semperflorens_.

=B. stigmosa= (branded).* Rhizome creeping, fleshy. _l._ 6in. to
8in. long, oblique, cordate-acute, irregularly toothed, smooth
above, hairy beneath, green, with brownish-purple blotches; stalks
scaly, as in _B. manicata_. _fl._ in cymose panicles, white,
medium-sized, numerous. Brazil, 1845.

=B. strigillosa= (strigillose).* Rhizome short, fleshy, creeping,
_l._ 4in. to 6in. long, oblique, ovate-acute, cordate-toothed;
margins ciliate, red; stalk and blade covered with fleshy scales;
blade smooth, blotched with brown. _fl._ in branching cymes,
dipetalous, small, rose-coloured. Summer. Central America, 1851.

=B. suaveolens= (sweet-scented). S. Stem branching, 2ft. high,
smooth. _l._ 3in. to 4in. long, oblique-ovate, cordate-acute,
crenulate, glabrous. _fl._ in axillary panicles, large, white.
Winter. Central America, 1816. Resembles _B. nitida_, but may
be distinguished by its distinctly crenulate leaves and smaller
flowers, which are white, and not pale rose, as in _B. nitida_.
SYN. _B. odorata_. (L. B. C. 69.)

=B. Sutherlandi= (Sutherland's).* T. Stems annual, 1ft. to 2ft.
high, slender, graceful, red-purple. _l._ on slender red petioles,
2in. to 3in. long; blade 4in. to 6in. long, ovate-lanceolate,
deeply lobed at base; margins serrate, bright green; nerves bright
red. _fl._ in axillary and terminal cymes, numerous, orange-red,
shaded with dark vinous-red. Capsule wings equal. Summer. Natal,
1867. (B. M. 5689.)

=B. Teuscheri= (Teuscher's). S. A strong, erect-growing,
large-leaved plant, from the Dutch Indies, not yet flowered. _l._
cordate-ovate, acute, olive-green above, with greyish blotches;
under side rich claret-coloured. Hort. Linden. (I. II. 1879, 358.)

=B. Thwaitesii= (Thwaites's).* Stemless. _l._ 2in. to 4in. in
diameter, obtuse or sub-acute, cordate at base, minutely toothed,
slightly pubescent, very shaggy when young, rich coppery-green,
red-purple and blotched with white; under side blood red. _fl._ in
an umbel, medium-sized; scape short, white. Capsule shaped like a
Beech nut; wings short. Ceylon, 1852. One of the most beautiful of
coloured-leaved Begonias, requiring a close, moist atmosphere in a
stove. (B. M. 4692.)

=B. ulmifolia= (Elm-leaved). S. Stem 2ft. to 4ft. high, branching.
_l._ 3in. to 4in. long, ovate-oblong, unequal-sided, toothed,
rugose, hairy. _fl._ on hairy peduncles, numerous, small, white.
Capsule wings two small, one large, ovate. Winter. Venezuela, 1854.
(L. C. 638.)

=B. undulata= (wavy-leaved). S. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. high, erect,
branching freely, turgid below, green, succulent until old. _l._
distichous, oblong-lanceolate, undulated, smooth, shining green.
_fl._ in nodding axillary cymes, white, small. Winter. Brazil,
1826. (B. M. 2723.)

=B. urophylla= (caudate-leaved). Stemless. Leafstalks terete,
succulent, clothed with scattered bristly hairs. _l._ large,
12in. long, broad, cordate; margin irregularly cut, toothed; apex
long-pointed, green, smooth above, hairy beneath; peduncle stout,
paniculate. _fl._ crowded, large, dipetalous, white. Spring.
Brazil. (B. M. 4855.)

=B. Veitchii= (Veitch's).* T. Stem very short, thick, fleshy,
green. _l._ orbiculate, cordate, lobed and incised; margins
ciliated, green, principal nerves radiating from bright carmine
spot near centre; under side pale green; petiole thick, terete,
with a few hairs on the upper portion; scape 10in. to 12in. high,
thick, terete, pilose, two-flowered. _fl._ 2-1/4in. in diameter,
cinnabar red. Capsule smooth, two short, one long wings. Summer.
Peru, 1867. One of the species from which the popular garden
tuberous-rooted Begonias have been obtained. (B. M. 5663.)

=B. Verschaffeltiana= (Verschaffelt's).* A hybrid between _B.
carolinæfolia_ and _B. manicata_, with large ovate acutely-lobed
leaves and flowers in large cymes, rose-coloured and pendent.
Winter. (R. G. 1855, p. 248.)

=B. vitifolia= (Vine-leaved). S. Stem 3ft. to 4ft. high, thick,
smooth, and fleshy. _l._ large as vine foliage, and similar in
shape; peduncles axillary, erect, branching into a cymose head of
small white flowers. Capsules three-angled, one-winged. Winter.
Brazil, 1833. SYNS. _B. grandis_, _B. reniformis_. (B. M. 3225.)

=B. Wagneriana= (Wagner's). S. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. high, erect,
glabrous, green, succulent, branched. _l._ cordate-ovate,
acuminate; margins obscurely lobed, slightly serrate, quite
glabrous; peduncles axillary and terminal, cymose. _fl._ numerous,
white. Capsules, which are ripened in abundance, three-angled, one
wing long, two short. Winter. Venezuela, 1856. (B. M. 4988.)

=B. Warscewiczii= (Warscewicz's). Synonymous with _B. conchæfolia_.

=B. Weltoniensis= (Welton). A garden hybrid; one of the oldest of
cultivated winter-flowering kinds, with light pink flowers, very
free.

=B. xanthina= (yellow-flowered).* Stem short, thick, fleshy,
horizontal, along with petioles thickly-clothed with brown scaly
hairs; petioles 6in. to 12in. long, stout, terete, fleshy,
reddish-brown; blade 8in. to 12in. long, cordate-ovate, acuminate,
sinuate-ciliated, dark green above, purplish beneath. Flower-stalks
erect, 1ft. high, bearing a cymose head of large golden flowers.
Capsule with one large wing. Summer. Boutan, 1850. (B. M. 4683.)

=B. x. Lazuli= (Lapis-lazuli).* Foliage metallic purple, with a
bluish tinge.

=B. x. pictifolia= (ornamented-leaved).* _l._ with large silvery
spots, and pale yellow flowers.

The following list comprises a selection of some of the best and most distinct of the innumerable varieties now existing in gardens, and which have been obtained by crossing and re-crossing the several tuberous-rooted species found in the temperate regions of South America.

=Single-Flowered Varieties.= _Crimson and Scarlet Shaded_:
ADMIRATION, flowers vivid orange-scarlet, of dwarf, compact habit,
and free flowering (see Fig. 235); ARTHUR G. SOAMES,* brilliant
crimson scarlet, of excellent form, and very free; BALL OF FIRE,*
glowing fiery-scarlet, flowers large and compact, very free; BLACK
DOUGLAS,* dark carmine crimson, flowers large, of the finest form,
one of the best; BRILLIANT, deep orange-scarlet, very free; CHARLES
BALTET, rich velvety vermilion; COMMODORE FOOT,* brilliant velvety
crimson, very free and showy; DAVISII, flowers small, dazzling
scarlet, habit dwarf and free; DR. MASTERS,* flowers large, with
immense spikes, deep red-crimson, very attractive; DR. SEWELL,*
glowing crimson, grand form; EXONIENSIS, brilliant orange-scarlet,
immense flowers; F. E. LAING, deep velvety crimson, full and
free; HON. MRS. BRASSEY,* deep glowing crimson, very rich and
floriferous; J. H. LAING,* brilliant scarlet, one of the freest;
J. W. FERRAND,* rich vermilion, dwarf and free, one of the finest
for bedding; LOTHAIR,* dark scarlet-carmine, crimson shaded, of
grand form and size; MARQUIS OF BUTE, brilliant carmine-crimson,
of the finest form, and immense flowers; SCARLET GEM,* very
dark scarlet, flowers medium-sized, dwarf and very floriferous;
SEDENI, rich rosy-crimson, dwarf, a good bedder; VESUVIUS,* bright
orange-scarlet, compact and free, one of the finest bedders.

_Rose-Coloured_: ALBERT CROUSSÉ,* bright salmon-rose, very free;
ANNIE LAING,* large and free, rich pink; CAPT. THOMPSON, rich
salmon-rose, very free and compact; DELICATUM, pale flesh-rose;
EXQUISITE,* rich deep rose, very free and showy; J. AUBREY CLARK,
flowers very large, rich, deep; JESSIE,* soft rosy-pink, with the
tips of the petals shaded carmine, a very fine, perfect variety;
LADY BROOKE,* dark rose, shaded magenta, very perfect in form,
and large; LADY HUME CAMPBELL,* pale pink, of good form and size,
an exquisite variety; MADAME STELLA,* flowers perfect in form,
large, bright rosy-pink, one of the best; MARCHIONESS OF BUTE,
light rosy-pink, with an immense bloom and handsome foliage;
PENELOPE,* rich salmon-rose, very free and good; PRINCESS OF WALES,
very delicate pink, and free; ROSE D'AMOUR, rich rose, delicately
shaded.

_White-Flowered_: ALBA FLORIBUNDA, flowers medium-sized, very free;
MOONLIGHT, very free, with good flowers and handsome foliage; MRS.
LAING,* flowers exquisite in form and shape, pure white, one of the
best; NYMPH,* large and round, white, tinted with rose at the base;
PRINCESS BEATRICE,* flowers large, of excellent form, and pure
in colour; PURITY, flowers round, good size and colour; QUEEN OF
WHITES,* flowers pure white, large, most freely produced (see Fig.
236, for which we are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons); REINE
BLANCHE,* one of the best, very pure; SNOWFLAKE,* flowers large, in
full spikes, pure white, habit compact, and very free.

_Yellow and Orange-Flowered_: CHROMATELLA,* habit dwarf and
compact, pure yellow; EMPRESS OF INDIA, deep yellow, very showy;
GEM OF YELLOWS,* rich deep yellow, of grand form and size, one
of the best; GOLDEN GEM,* rich golden yellow, of excellent form
and size, habit free, with prettily mottled foliage; J. L.
MACFARLANE, rich orange, freest form, and large; LADY TREVOR
LAWRENCE,* orange-yellow, of good form, with handsome foliage;
MAUDE CHURCHILL,* pale yellow, deeper shaded, with elegant foliage;
MRS. PONTIFEX,* rich orange yellow, very large flowers, copiously
produced; POLLIE, pale yellow, fine round flower; SULPHUR QUEEN,*
pale sulphur-yellow, of good form and size.

=Double-Flowered Varieties.= _Crimson and Scarlet Shaded_:
ACHILLES, rich dark crimson, very large and free; DAVISII HYBRIDA
FL.-PL.,* rich coral-red, very full and free; DAVISII FL.-PL.
SUPERBA,* brilliant crimson-scarlet, of good size, and extremely
free; DR. DUKE,* brilliant scarlet, very large and double, one of
the best; FRANCIS BUCHNER,* rich cerise-red, very double, perfect
in form, and very large; FULGURANT, rich crimson, full, with dark
foliage; GLOIRE DE NANCY,* rich vermilion, very free; HERCULES,*
bright orange-scarlet, very large and extremely free, habit compact
and vigorous; LEMOINEI, deep orange-vermilion, very floriferous;
MONSIEUR BAUER, deep red, tinged with violet; NIMROD,* rich
red-scarlet, very large and full, with a free and very vigorous
habit; PRESIDENT BURELLE,* glowing red, tinted with scarlet,
very free; QUEEN OF DOUBLES,* rich rosy-crimson, very double and
floriferous, one of the best varieties; ROBERT BURNS,* brilliant
orange-scarlet, tinted vermilion, very double and free; SIR GARNET,
deep orange-scarlet, very vigorous; WM. BEALBY,* deep velvety
scarlet, immense size and perfect form, very free.

_Rose-Coloured_: ADA,* bright rosy-salmon, fringed at the edge,
very full and free; COMTESSE H. DE CHOISEUL, pale rose, at first
nearly white, very handsome; ESTHER,* rich rosy pink, with a
distinct crimson margin; FORMOSA,* rich rosy carmine, with a
white centre and crimson margin, very distinct and showy; GLORY
OF STANSTEAD,* deep rose, with a well-defined white centre, very
distinct and handsome; JOHN T. POE,* bright rose, tinted with
cerise, of excellent form and vigorous habit; MADAME COMESSE,*
rich satiny salmon-rose, immense, and most profuse; MADAME LEON
SIMON, soft pale rose, very full and free; MARIE LEMOINE, light
salmon with a rose centre; MRS. BRISSENDEN,* salmon-rose, with a
cream-white centre, of excellent form and very free; PÆONIFLORA,
flowers enormous, rich salmon-rose, very full; QUEEN OF SCOTS,*
satiny-pink, salmon-shaded, of a perfect form and very large,
habit compact and very free; ROSINA,* deep rose, violet shaded, of
exquisite form, very vigorous and free.

_White-Flowered_: ANTOINETTE QUERIN,* pure white, cream, shaded
centre, very large and full, a magnificent variety; BLANCHE
JEANPIERRE, pure white, cream tinted, of excellent form and very
free; LITTLE GEM,* pure white, of the best form and good size,
habit dwarf and extremely floriferous; MRS. LUDLAM,* white, tinted
with pink, a very handsome variety; PRINCESS OF WALES,* flowers
very full and profuse, almost pure in colour, and immense.

_Yellow-flowered_: CANARY BIRD,* flowers large, of the finest form,
deep yellow, habit dwarf and very free; GABRIEL LEGROS,* pale
sulphur, changing to yellow, very full and imbricated, extremely
showy.

=BEGONIACEÆ.= An order comprising a large number of useful garden plants. The only genera are _Begonia_ and _Begoniella_ (which is not yet in cultivation). Flowers apetalous; perianth single; pistillate flowers having the perianth two to eight-cleft, staminate ones two to four-cleft; stamens numerous, collected into a head. Leaves alternate, stipulate. _See_ =Begonia=.

=BEJARIA.= _See_ =Befaria=.

=BELLADONNA.= _See_ =Atropa=.

=BELLADONNA LILY.= _See_ =Amaryllis Belladonna=.

=BELLEVALIA= (named in honour of P. R. Belleval, a French botanist). ORD. _Liliaceæ_. This genus is now usually placed under _Hyacinthus_. Hardy, bulbous-rooted plants, admirably adapted for spring bedding or forcing, and invaluable as cut flowers. Flowers small, whitish, or violet, tinged with green. Leaves few, radical, broadly linear. They are of extremely easy culture in ordinary garden soil. Propagated by offsets; also by seeds, which should be sown as soon as ripe.

=B. operculata= (lid-covered). Synonymous with _B. romana_.

=B. romana= (Roman).* Roman Hyacinth. _fl._ white, racemose;
perianth campanulate; pedicels longer than the flowers. April. _l._
from 4in. to 5in. long. _h._ 6in. Italy, 1596. A most desirable
plant, and the best of the genus for forcing purposes. SYNS. _B.
operculata_ and _Hyacinthus romanus_. (B. M. 939, under the name of
_Scilla romana_.) _See_ =Hyacinthus=.

=B. syriaca= (Syrian).* _fl._ white; peduncles spreading, racemose.
May. _l._ glaucous, 1ft. long, channelled, rather scarious on the
margins. _h._ 1ft. Syria, 1840.

=BELL-FLOWER.= _See_ =Campanula=.

=BELL GLASSES=, or =CLOCHES=. These are used for the purpose of protecting or accelerating the growth of a plant or plants. The French Cloche (see Fig. 237) is largely employed for this purpose. Ordinary Bell Glasses (see Fig. 238) are exceedingly useful for propagating purposes, especially for hard-wooded plants; or for placing over subjects which require a very moist atmosphere, such as Filmy ferns, Cephalotus, &c.; or for covering half-hardy plants or rare alpines, and thus protecting them from excessive moisture. Large Bell Glasses, inverted, serve as miniature aquaria, and many small aquatics are easily grown in them.

=BELLIDIASTRUM= (from _bellis_, a daisy, and _astrum_, a star; flower-heads being star-like). ORD. _Compositæ_. A pretty dwarf, hardy, herbaceous perennial, allied to _Aster_. It thrives in a compost of loam, leaf soil, and peat. Increased by divisions in early spring, or directly after blooming.

=B. Michelii= (Michel's).* _fl.-heads_ white; scape one-headed,
naked; involucre with equal leaves; pappus simple. June. _l._ in a
rosette, shortly stalked, obovate, repand. _h._ 1ft. Austria, 1570.

=BELLIS= (from _bellus_, pretty, in reference to the flowers). Daisy. ORD. _Compositæ_. A genus of hardy herbaceous perennials, distinguished from allied genera in having conical receptacles and an absence of pappus. They grow well in all loamy soils. The garden varieties are increased by division after flowering, each crown making a separate plant. The soil must be pressed about them moderately firm. Seeds may also be sown in March, but the plants thus obtained are seldom of sufficient floricultural merit to perpetuate.

=B. perennis= (perennial).* Common Daisy. _fl.-heads_ white. June.
_l._ numerous, lying flat on the ground, obovate, crenate, slightly
hairy, tapering at the base. _h._ 3in. England. The varieties are
very numerous, the double ones being particularly fine. See Fig.
239. The handsome variegated form, _aucubæfolia_, has its leaves
richly stained and veined with yellow. There are both red and
white-flowered forms of this variety. The Hen and Chickens Daisy is
a proliferous form, rather more quaint than pretty. See Fig. 240.
Good garden kinds are _B. p. conspicua_, red; CROWN, pink; ELIZA,
purple; RUBENS, red; SNOWFLAKE, white.

=B. rotundifolia cœrulescens= (round-leaved, bluish).* _fl.-heads_
from 3/4in. to 1-1/4in. in diameter, resembling those of the common
Daisy, but with fewer, often broader, ray-flowers, which vary from
white to pale blue. _l._ more or less hairy, with slender stalks,
1in. to 3in. long; blade ovate or sub-cordate, sinuate toothed,
three-nerved. Morocco, 1872. A very beautiful perennial, requiring
the shelter of a cold frame during severe winters. See Fig. 241.
(B. M. 6015.)

=BELLIUM= (from _bellis_, a Daisy; the flowers resembling those of that plant). ORD. _Compositæ_. A genus of pretty little, free-flowering plants, differing from the common Daisy only in having a pappus of six to eight broad scales, torn at the apex, alternating with a like number of long scabrous bristles. They thrive best in a mixture of sandy loam and peat. Propagation is readily effected by means of seeds or divisions; the latter should be made in spring.

=B. bellidioides= (Daisy-like).* _fl.-heads_ white, solitary. June
to September. _l._ spathulate, radical. Stolons creeping. _h._ 4in.
Italy, 1796. Annual. See Fig. 242.

=B. crassifolium= (thick-leaved). _fl.-heads_ whitish-yellow;
scapes much exceeding the leaves, downy. June. _l._ sub-radical,
thick, obovate, entire, attenuate at base, rather downy. Stems
many, ascending. _h._ 6in. Sardinia, 1831. Hardy perennial. (S. B.
F. G. 2, 278.)

=B. minutum= (very small).* _fl.-heads_ white and yellow, 1/2in.
across, on slender stalks, longer than the foliage. June to
September. _l._ narrow spathulate, attenuated at the base, slightly
hairy. _h._ 3in. Levant, 1772. A rare little species, requiring a
warm, well-drained position on the rockery.

=BELLOWS.= These were formerly employed for fumigating, but are now entirely superseded by the ordinary fumigators. The Sulphur Bellows is a very useful instrument for the uniform distribution of flowers of sulphur on vines and other subjects infested with mildew. In form it is very like those in common domestic use, but has a rose of small holes at the end of its nozzle, through which the sulphur is ejected.

=BELL-PEPPER.= _See_ =Capsicum grossum=.

=BELOPERONE= (from _belos_, an arrow, and _peronne_, a band; in reference to the arrow-shaped connectivum). SYN. _Dianthera_. ORD. _Acanthaceæ_. Very pretty stove evergreen shrubs, allied to _Justicia_. Flowers blue or purple, borne in secund, axillary, or terminal spikes, frequently subtended with coloured bracts; corolla gaping, the upper lip concave, the lower trifid. They are easily cultivated in a compost of loam, leaf soil, peat, and sand. Propagated by young cuttings, taken in spring. Beloperones may also be treated like _Justicias_ (which _see_), and will succeed admirably. There are a large number of species, but few of which have been introduced.

=B. oblongata= (oblong). _fl._ rosy-purple; spikes axillary;
anthers calcarate at base; bracts bracteolate. Summer. _l._
oblong-lanceolate, opposite. _h._ 3ft. Brazil, 1832. (B. H. 9, 9.)

=B. violacea= (violet-coloured).* _fl._ violet. _l._ lanceolate,
acuminate, entire. _h._ 3ft. New Grenada, 1859. (B. M. 5244.)

=BENDING-DOWN= the branches of fruit trees, by means of weights or string attached to pegs driven into the ground, is sometimes resorted to for the purpose of acquiring a particular shape, or fruitfulness; but authorities differ as to the usefulness of the plan for the latter purpose. Young trees that are inclined to grow strong in the middle may be more evenly balanced by adopting the plan of Bending the strong branches, and so diverting the sap to the weaker ones.

=BENGAL QUINCE.= _See_ =Ægle Marmelos=.

=BENJAMIN-TREE.= _See_ =Ficus Benjamina=.

=BENT GRASS.= _See_ =Agrostis=.

=BENTHAMIA= (in honour of George Bentham, a distinguished English botanist). ORD. _Cornaceæ_. Hardy evergreen shrubs or low trees, now referred to the genus _Cornus_. The first-named species is rather tender in the neighbourhood of London, and can only be grown successfully against a wall, for which purpose it is very suitable. In Cornwall and other mild places, it attains a height of 20ft. in the open. Loudon thinks it might be rendered hardier by grafting it on _Cornus sanguinea_. Flowers disposed in heads, each head attended by an involucre, which consists of four petal-like parts, and resembles a corolla; calyx with a minute four-toothed limb; petals four, fleshy, wedge-shaped; stamens four; style one. Leaves opposite, exstipulate, sub-evergreen, entire. Fruit constituted of many pomes grown together. They thrive in rather moist, loamy soil, in a sheltered spot. Propagated by seeds, sown when ripe, in a cool-house; or by layering, in autumn.

=B. fragifera= (Strawberry-flowered).* _fl._ large, white, sessile,
densely aggregate, forming a round head. June to October. _fr._
large, about the size of that of the common Arbutus, reddish. _l._
lanceolate, acuminated at both ends, on short petioles, rather
rough, with small, adpressed down. Branches spreading, smooth. _h._
10ft. to 15ft. Nepaul, 1825. (G. C. xiv., 728.)

=B. japonica= (Japanese). _fl._ yellowish-red. Spring. _h._ 8ft.
Japan, 1847. (S. Z. F. J. 16.)

=BERARDIA= (named after M. Berard, a Professor of Chemistry at Montpelier). ORD. _Compositæ_. A genus containing a single species, confined to the high mountains of Western Europe. It makes a pretty rock plant, and grows best in thoroughly well-drained spots amongst rocky _débris_. Propagated by seeds, sown in spring.

=B. subacaulis= (almost stemless). _fl.-heads_ whitish, solitary,
very large. _l._ rounded oval, nearly heart-shaped at base,
cottony. _h._ 3in. or 4in. (A. F. P. 3, 38.)

=BERBERIDACEÆ.= An order of shrubs or herbaceous perennials. Flowers terminal or axillary, usually racemose; sepals three, four, or six in a double row; petals as many or double in number; stamens four to eight, opposite the petals. Fruit, a berry or capsule. Leaves alternate, compound. The order contributes a great number of handsome plants to our gardens. Well-known genera are _Berberis_, _Epimedium_, and _Nandina_.

=BERBERIDOPSIS= (from _Berberis_, the Barberry, and _opsis_, like; resembling the Barberry). ORD. _Berberidaceæ_. A handsome evergreen shrub, with climbing habit. Sepals and petals nine to fifteen; outer small, spreading; intermediate orbicular, concave; inner obovate-cuneate, erect, inserted upon the fleshy torus. Stamens eight to nine, free. With a slight winter protection, or planted at the foot of a south wall, it will prove quite hardy, being of easy culture in ordinary garden soil. It is an excellent plant for the cool greenhouse. Increased by seeds, which should be sown in spring; by layering, in autumn; or by young cuttings, in spring.

=B. corallina= (coral-red).* _fl._ crimson, in terminal, drooping
racemes, leafy at the base. _l._ about 3in. long, alternate,
simple, petiolate, oblong-cordate, obtuse or acute, spiny-toothed.
Chili, 1862. See Fig. 243. (B. M. 5343.)

=BERBERIS= (_Berberys_ is the Arabic name of the fruit, signifying a shell; many authors believe this to be the original derivation of the word, because the leaves are hollow, like a shell). Barberry. ORD. _Berberidaceæ_. Including _Mahonia_. A genus of hardy erect or trailing shrubs. Flowers yellow or orange, racemose or fascicled; sepals and petals similar, in two series. Leaves simple or compound, alternate or fascicled from the non-development of the branches, often spinose, or reduced to spines. The common sorts thrive well in any ordinary garden soil, but the rarer kinds require a compost of loam, peat, and a little sand. Propagation may be effected by suckers or layers, put down in the autumn; by ripened cuttings, taken at the same time, and planted in sandy soil, in a cold frame; or by seeds, sown in the spring, or, preferably, in the autumn, when, if fresh from the pulp or berry, they will germinate in the open in the following spring. The last-named is the method generally adopted.

=B. Aquifolium= (Holly-leaved).* _fl._ yellow; racemes nearly
erect, much crowded. Spring. _l._, leaflets two to three pairs,
with an odd one, the lower part distant from the petiole; ovate,
approximate, cordate at the base, one-nerved, spiny-toothed. _h._
3ft. to 6ft. North America, 1823. This is extensively planted in
woodlands as an excellent covert plant. SYN. _Mahonia aquifolia_.
(S. E. B. 49.)

=B. aristata= (bearded). _fl._ yellow; racemes nodding,
many-flowered, longer than the leaves; pedicels trifid,
three-flowered. Spring. _l._ obovate-oblong or lanceolate,
mucronate, membranous, smooth, serrated with four or five spinulose
teeth; lower spines three-parted, upper ones simple, and hardly
bidentate at the base. _h._ 6ft. Nepaul, 1820. (B. R. 729, under
name of _B. Chitria_.)

=B. asiatica= (Asiatic). _fl._, racemes short, many-flowered,
corymbose, shorter than the leaves; pedicels elongated,
one-flowered. _l._ oval, cuneated, or elliptical, mucronate,
smooth; under surface glaucous, entire, or spinulosely-toothed;
spines trifid, or simple. _h._ 4ft. to 8ft. 1820. Half-hardy.

=B. buxifolia= (Box-leaved).* _fl._ solitary, on slender peduncles.
Spring. _l._ nearly sessile, oval or oblong, about 1/2in. long,
entire. _h._ 8ft. Straits of Magellan, 1830. _Nana_ is a charming
little variety, not exceeding 18in. in height. SYN. _B. dulcis_.
(B. M. 6505.)

=B. canadensis= (Canadian).* _fl._, racemes many-flowered, nodding.
Spring. _l._ obovate-oblong, remotely serrated; upper ones nearly
entire; spines three-parted. _h._ 4ft. Canada, 1759.

=B. cratægina= (Hawthorn-like). _fl._, racemes many-flowered,
crowded, spreading, scarcely longer than the leaves. Spring. _l._
oblong, reticulated, hardly serrated; spines simple. _h._ 4ft. to
8ft. Asia Minor, 1829.

=B. cretica= (Cretan). _fl._, racemes three to eight-flowered,
rather shorter than the leaves. Spring. _l._ oblong-oval, entire,
or somewhat serrated; spines three to five-parted. _h._ 4ft. to
5ft. Crete and Cyprus, 1759. The variety _serratifolia_ has leaves
ciliately-serrated. (S. F. G. 342.)

=B. Darwinii= (Darwin's).* _fl._ orange, racemose, very numerous.
May, and sometimes again in autumn. _l._ oval or oblong, about
1in. long, with usually five spiny teeth. _h._ 2ft. South Chili,
1849. This very fine species is, perhaps, the best; it forms
a densely-branched, spreading, evergreen bush, thus making an
excellent covert plant. (B. M. 4590.)

=B. dulcis= (sweet). Synonymous with _B. buxifolia_.

=B. emarginata= (emarginate). _fl._, racemes scarcely pendulous,
shorter than the leaves. Spring. _l._ lanceolate-obovate, ciliately
serrated; spines three-parted. _h._ 6ft. Siberia, 1790.

=B. empetrifolia= (Empetrum-leaved).* _fl._ few, terminal,
sub-umbellate, on slender pedicels. May. _l._ in fascicles of about
seven, linear, closely revolute, sharply mucronate. _h._ 1-1/2ft.
to 2ft. Straits of Magellan, 1827. (B. R. 26, 27.)

=B. fascicularis= (fascicled). _fl._, racemes erect, much crowded.
Spring. _l._, leaflets three to six pairs, with an odd one, the
lower pair distant from the base of the petiole; ovate-lanceolate,
rather distant, one-nerved, spiny toothed, with four to five teeth
on each side. _h._ 6ft. to 8ft. New Spain, 1820. Half-hardy. SYN.
_Mahonia fascicularis_. (B. M. 2396.)

=B. floribunda= (many-flowered).* _fl._, racemes many-flowered,
loose, solitary, pendulous. June. _l._ obovate-lanceolate, or
obovate-oblong, tapering much towards the base, ending in a
mucrone at the apex, paler beneath, spiny-ciliated; spines
three-parted, unequal. _h._ 10ft. Nepaul. A variety of _aristata_.

=B. Fortunei= (Fortune's).* _fl._ small, in terminal clustered
racemes. _l._, leaflets about seven, linear-lanceolate, distant,
with numerous small spiny teeth, lower pair remote from the base of
the petiole. China.

=B. glumacea= (glumaceous). A synonym of _B. nervosa_.

=B. iberica= (Iberian). _fl._, racemes many-flowered, pendulous.
Spring. _l._ obovate-oblong, quite entire; spines simple and
three-parted. _h._ 8ft. to 10ft. Iberia, 1818.

=B. ilicifolia= (Holly-leaved). _fl._, peduncles short,
four-flowered; pedicels elongated, somewhat corymbose. July. _l._
ovate, tapering at the base, coarsely and spinulosely toothed;
spines three-parted. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Tierra del Fuego, 1791. (B.
M. 4308.)

=B. japonica= (Japanese).* _fl._, racemes in terminal clusters.
Spring. _l._, leaflets usually nine, about 3in. long, quite
sessile, broadly cordate, or rotundate at the base, oblique, with
about five long spiny teeth, and a terminal one, the lowest pairs
close to the base of the petiole. China and Japan. Very distinct,
with unbranched stems and leaves about 1ft. long. _B. Beali_
and _B. intermedia_ are mere forms of this species, the latter
differing from it in having narrower leaves and longer, slender
racemes. (B. M. 4852.)

=B. loxensis= (Loxanese). _fl._ unusually small, erect, in panicled
racemes on a long peduncle quite clear of the leaves. _l._ very
shining, blunt, obovate; sides often with several teeth; spines
small, palmated. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. Peru. Evergreen, not hardy. (P.
F. G. 1, p. 13.)

=B. nepalensis= (Nepaulese).* _fl._ yellow; racemes few, elongated,
slender. _l._ 1ft. to 2ft. long; leaflets five to nine pairs,
obovate-oblong, cuspidate, rounded at the base, repand-toothed,
with five to ten spiny teeth on each side, tricuspidate at the
apex. _h._ 4ft. to 6ft. Nepaul. A very handsome species, thriving
best in the southern parts of England. SYN. _Mahonia nepalensis_.
See Fig. 244.

=B. nervosa= (large-nerved). _fl._, racemes elongated. October.
_l._, leaflets five to six pairs, with an odd one, the lower
pair distant from the petiole; ovate, acuminated, remotely spiny
toothed, somewhat three to five-nerved, with twelve to fourteen
teeth on each side. _h._ 1ft. to 3ft. North America, 1826. SYNS.
_B. glumacea_, _Mahonia nervosa_. (B. M. 3949.)

=B. repens= (creeping).* _fl._, racemes terminal, numerous,
fascicled, diffuse, rising from the scaly buds. Spring. _l._,
leaflets, two to three pairs, with an odd one, roundish-ovate,
opaque, spiny toothed. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. North America, 1822. SYN.
_Mahonia repens_. (B. R. 1176.)

=B. ruscifolia= (Ruscus-leaved). _fl._ a little larger than those
of _B. vulgaris_; peduncles short, bearing four to five flowers at
the apex. _l._ oblong, tapering at the base, mucronate, entire, or
grossly and spiny toothed. _h._ 4ft. to 8ft. South America, 1823.
Half-hardy.

=B. sinensis= (Chinese).* _fl._, racemes many-flowered, nodding.
May. _l._ oblong, obtuse, entire, or the lower ones are a little
toothed; spines three-parted. _h._ 3ft. to 6ft. China, 1815. (B. M.
6573.)

=B. stenophylla= (naked-leaved),* with narrow mucronate leaves, is
said to be a hybrid between _B. empetrifolia_ and _B. Darwinii_.
See Fig. 245.

=B. trifoliata= (three-leafleted). _fl._, racemes small,
axillary, sessile, three to five-flowered. Spring. _l._, leaflets
three, sessile at the ends of the petioles, deeply scalloped,
bluish-green, variegated, glaucous beneath. _h._ 5ft. Mexico, 1839.
Evergreen, not quite hardy. (P. F. G. 2, 168.)

=B. trifurcata= (three-forked). _fl._, racemes compound, erect.
Spring. _l._ pinnate; leaflets broad, three-forked. _h._ 6ft.
China, 1850. Evergreen. (P. F. G. 3, 258.)

=B. umbellata= (umbellate). _fl._, peduncles solitary, erect,
bearing at the top several umbellate pedicels. _l._ obovate-oblong,
mucronate, entire, glaucous beneath; spines three-parted, long,
equal. _h._ 6ft. Nepaul, 1842. (P. F. G. 2, 181.)

=B. vulgaris= (common).* Common Barberry. _fl._, racemes
many-flowered, pendulous. Spring. _l._ somewhat obovate,
ciliately-serrated; spines three-parted. _h._ 8ft. to 20ft.
Britain, &c. There are yellow, violet, purple, black, and white
fruited, and purple-leaved forms. (Sy. En. B. 51.)

=B. Wallichiana= (Wallich's).* _fl._ on drooping, aggregated
peduncles, six to eight or more in a cluster. Spring. _l._ in
alternate fascicles, 2in. to 3in. long, spreading or recurved,
lanceolate, sinuato-serrate; spines deeply three-parted, slender
but rigid. _h._ 6ft. to 10ft. Nepaul, 1820. See Fig. 246. (B. M.
4656.)

=BERCHEMIA= (in honour of M. Berchem, a French botanist). ORD. _Rhamnaceæ_. A genus of erect, or twining, deciduous, mostly greenhouse shrubs. Flowers sub-umbellate, in the axils of the upper leaves, or disposed in terminal panicles. Leaves alternate, many-nerved, entire. The species mentioned below is probably the only one yet in cultivation. It is quite hardy, will grow in any common soil, and is well adapted for bowers or trellis-work. Propagated by ripened cuttings, and slips of the root, planted under a hand glass; or by layering the young shoots.

=B. volubilis= (twining).* _fl._ greenish-white; panicles small,
axillary and terminal. Drupe oblong, violaceous. June. _l._ oval,
mucronate, a little wavy. Branches smooth. Carolina, 1714. A
deciduous twiner. (G. G. 165.)

=BERGAMOT.= _See_ =Mentha odorata=.

=BERGERA= (named after C. J. Berger, a distinguished Danish botanist). ORD. _Rutaceæ_. Interesting stove evergreen trees, now usually referred to _Murraya_. Leaves impari-pinnate; leaflets alternate, acuminated, pubescent. They thrive in a mixture of turfy loam and peat. Propagated by ripened cuttings, taken off at a joint, and placed in sand, under a hand glass, in bottom heat; or by layers.

=B. Kœnigi= (Konig's). _fl._ whitish-yellow, small; racemes many,
forming a corymb at the top of the branches. June. _l._, leaflets
serrated. _h._ 40ft. India, 1820. (L. B. C. 1019.)

=BERKHEYA= (named after M. J. L. de Berkhey, a Dutch botanist), ORD. _Compositæ_. A genus of ornamental greenhouse or hardy thistle-like herbs or shrubs. Flower-heads surrounded by a spiny involucre, the scales of which are united at the base only; pappus of many flat, obtuse, or pointed, scales. They are of easy cultivation in a sandy loam soil. The perennials are increased by cuttings placed under a glass; the herbaceous perennials usually by divisions of the plant in spring. The species most frequently seen in English gardens is _B. purpurea_.

=B. grandiflora= (large-flowered).* _fl.-heads_ yellow; scales
of involucre spiny toothed. July. _l._ opposite, lanceolate,
three-nerved, spiny toothed, downy beneath. _h._ 2ft. Cape of Good
Hope, 1812. Greenhouse evergreen. (B. M. 1844.)

=B. pinnata= (pinnate). _fl.-heads_ yellow; involucral scales
spine-pointed, entire or toothed. Autumn. _l._ oblong, woolly
beneath, deeply cut into lance-shaped segments. SYN. _Stobæa
pinnata_. (B. M. 1788.)

=B. purpurea= (purplish).* _fl.-heads_ numerous, pedunculate,
corymbose, circular, 3in. across, surrounded by an involucre of
spreading or reflexed linear oblong bracts. _l._, lower ones 15in.
to 18in. long, 2in. to 2-1/2in. wide, dark green, viscid above,
paler and cottony beneath. _h._ 3ft. South Africa. A very handsome,
hardy, herbaceous perennial. (G. C. 1872, p. 1261.) SYN. _Stobæa
purpurea_.

=B. uniflora= (one-flowered). _fl.-heads_ yellow; scales of
involucre spiny toothed. June. _l._ alternate, lanceolate,
three-nerved, spiny toothed, downy beneath. _h._ 3ft. Cape of Good
Hope, 1815. Greenhouse evergreen. (B. M. 2094.)

=BERMUDA CEDAR.= _See_ =Juniperus bermudiana=.

=BERRY.= A fleshy fruit, containing seeds.

=BERTHOLLETIA= (in honour of Louis Claude Berthollet, a celebrated French chemist). Brazil Nut Tree. TRIBE Lecythideæ of ORD. _Myrtaceæ_. _B. excelsa_ is a tall tree, having the young branches leafy at the apex. Leaves alternate, oblong, quite entire, rather coriaceous. From this Brazilian species are obtained the well-known Brazil or Para Nuts of commerce. The tree is of no value for decorative purposes.

=BERTOLONIA= (named after A. Bertoloni, an Italian botanist, author of "Rariorum Italiæ Plantarum Decades," &c.). ORD. _Melastomaceæ_. Elegant little creeping or dwarf-growing stove plants, chiefly cultivated for their exquisitely marked leaves. Flowers white or purple. Leaves stalked, ovate-cordate, five to eleven-nerved, crenulated; cymes corymbose, terminal. They thrive in a compost of equal parts peat, leaf mould, and sand, in a warm, close, and moist atmosphere, but are most successfully cultivated under a bell glass in the stove; in fact, the latter is the only plan of growing them where a constantly humid atmosphere cannot be otherwise obtained without such means. They are easily propagated by cuttings or seeds.

=B. ænea= (coppery). _fl._ purple. _h._ 6in. Brazil.

=B. guttata= (spotted). _See_ =Gravesia=.

=B. maculata= (spotted).* _fl._ violet-purple; peduncles axillary,
bearing at the apex a short raceme of six to seven flowers. _l._
on long petioles, cordate, ovate, quite entire, pilose on both
surfaces and on the margins, five-nerved. Branches, petioles,
peduncles, and calyces hispid from long bristles. Stem rooting at
the base. Brazil, 1850. (B. M. 4551.)

=B. marmorata= (marbled).* _l._ 5in. to 8in. long, ovate-oblong,
hairy, five-nerved; upper side vivid bright green, beautifully
marked with irregular streaks of pure white; under surface of a
uniform rich purple. Stem fleshy. _h._ 6in. Brazil, 1858.

=B. pubescens= (downy).* _l._ ovate-acuminate, 3in. to 4in.
long, and 2in. to 3in. broad; bright light green, with a broad
chocolate-coloured band down the centre; upper surface clothed with
long white hairs. Ecuador.

=BERZELIA= (named in honour of Berzelius, a celebrated Swedish chemist). ORD. _Bruniaceæ_. Very pretty little greenhouse evergreen shrubs. Heads of flowers naked, with three bracts at the base of each; usually crowded at the tops of the branches. Leaves short, somewhat trigonal, imbricate or spreading. They require a mixture of peat, loam, and sand, with thorough drainage and moderately firm potting. Young cuttings root freely in sand, under a bell glass, in gentle heat.

=B. abrotanoides= (Abrotanum-like). _fl.-heads_ white, the size of
a filbert, terminal, crowded, sub-corymbose; bracts clavate, green,
smooth, ustulate at the apex. May to July. _l._ ovate, ustulate at
the apex, smooth, spreading, on short petioles. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Cape
of Good Hope, 1787. (L. B. C. 355.)

=B. lanuginosa= (woolly).* _fl.-heads_ white, about the size of
a pea, at the tops of lateral branches, disposed in a fastigiate
panicle; bracts spathulate, callose at the apex. June to August.
_l._ triquetrous, spreading, callose at the apex, rather hairy.
Branches erect, villous when young. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Cape of Good
Hope, 1774. (L. B. C. 572.)

=BESCHORNERIA= (in honour of H. Beschorner, a German botanist). ORD. _Amaryllidaceæ_. Greenhouse evergreen succulents, allied to _Littæa_ and _Fourcroya_. Perianth deeply six-parted; segments linear spathulate, tubulose-connivent, often spreading at the point; stamens six, about as long as the perianth. For culture, &c., _see_ =Agave= and =Aloe=.

=B. bracteata= (bracteate). _fl._ at first green, turning
yellowish-red when mature; panicle 2ft. to 3ft. long; branches
many-flowered and corymbose, subtended by large scariose reddish
bracts. _l._ in a dense rosette, 12in. to 18in. long, thin,
glaucous green with scabrous margin. _h._ 5ft. to 6ft. Mexico. See
Fig. 247. (B. M. 6641.)

=B. Decosteriana= (Decoster's). _fl._ green, tinged with red,
pendulous, bracteate; panicle 2ft. to 3ft. long, inclined, with
numerous bracts. _l._ numerous, spreading, 18in. to 24in. long, by
1in. to 1-1/2in. broad; edges minutely serrulate. _h._ 8ft. Mexico,
about 1880.

=B. Tonelii= (Tonel's).* _fl._ tubular, 2-1/2in. long, drooping,
pedicellate, dark blood-red below and down the centre, the rest
very bright verdigris green; panicle 2ft. long, slender, inclined;
bracts several to each fascicle of flowers; scape 4ft. high,
red-purple. _l._ few, spreading, 15in. to 20in. long, by 2-1/2in.
broad, acuminate and keeled beneath towards the top, minutely
serrulate. Mexico, 1872. (B. M. 6091.)

=B. tubiflora= (tube-flowered). _fl._ greenish-purple, nutant,
fascicled, bracteate; fascicles remote, secund; scapes erect, long,
simple. May. _l._ radical, linear, channelled, recurved, spinosely
denticulate. _h._ 6ft. Mexico, 1845. (B. M. 4642.)

=B. yuccoides= (Yucca-like). _fl._ bright green, pendent, racemose,
with rich rosy-red bracts; scapes slender, coral-red, simple.
May and June. _l._ radical, thickish, lanceolate, acute, 1ft. to
1-1/2ft. long. _h._ 4ft. Mexico.

=BESLERIA= (named in honour of Basil Besler, an apothecary at Nuremberg). SYN. _Eriphia_. ORD. _Gesneraceæ_. Very pretty stove sub-shrubs, usually erect, branched. Peduncles axillary, few-flowered. Leaves opposite, petiolate, thickish; nerves and veins very prominent beneath. Stems sub-tetragonal. A light rich earth, or a mixture of sand, loam, and peat, and a moist atmosphere, are necessary for successful cultivation. Beslerias may be increased by cuttings, which root readily in heat.

=B. coccinea= (scarlet-berried).* _fl._ yellow; peduncles axillary
bearing three to six flowers in an umbel at top; bracts two, at
the division of the common peduncle, orbicularly cordate, toothed,
scarlet. _l._ ovate, glabrous, stiff, a little toothed. Guiana,
1819. Climbing shrub. (A. G. 255.)

=B. cristata= (crested). _fl._, corolla yellowish, hairy outside;
peduncles axillary, solitary, one-flowered; bracts cordate,
toothed, sessile, scarlet. June. _l._ ovate, serrated. Guiana,
1739. Climbing shrub.

=B. grandiflora= (large-flowered).* _fl._ large, campanulate,
spotted with red; peduncles axillary, elongated, many-flowered.
_l._ ovate-oblong, acuminated, crenated, densely pilose above,
villous beneath, as well as on the branches. _h._ 3ft. Brazil.

=B. Imrayi= (Imray's). _fl._ rather small, yellow, in axillary
whorls. _l._ large, lanceolate, serrate, glabrous. Stems
quadrangular. Dominica, 1862. Herbaceous perennial. (B. M. 6341.)

=B. incarnata= (flesh-coloured-berried).* _fl._, corollas purplish;
tube very long, ventricose; lobes of limb reflexed, roundish,
unequal, fringed; peduncles axillary, solitary, one-flowered. _l._
oblong, crenated, tomentose on both surfaces. _h._ 2ft. Guiana,
1820. Herbaceous perennial.

=B. violacea= (purple-berried). _fl._ purple, small; corolla with
a curved tube and spreading limb; peduncles racemosely panicled,
terminal. Berry purple, edible. _l._ ovate, acute, quite entire,
stiff. Guiana, 1824. Climbing shrub. (A. G. 254.)

=BESOM=, or =BROOM=. Birch-brooms are best for garden purposes, and are generally used. The most suitable for paved yards are those made of the common Ling (_Calluna vulgaris_). Those made of bass fibres are frequently used on paths, for which they are very suitable, but their expensiveness prevents them being generally employed. Whatever material is used in its composition, a Besom will last much longer if soaked in water for some time before using.

=BESSERA= (in honour of Dr. Besser, Professor of Botany at Brody). ORD. _Liliaceæ_. An elegant little half-hardy, Squill-like, bulbous plant, from Mexico. Perianth bell-shaped, six-parted. Leaves narrow, linear. It requires a compost of loam, leaf soil, peat, and sand, with good drainage. If cultivated in pots, a plentiful supply of water must be given from the commencement of growth until ripening off. When at rest, however, it should be kept dry and cool, but secure from the effects of frost. If planted out, a well-drained sunny position must be chosen, such as close to the wall of a greenhouse with a southern aspect. Propagation may be effected by offsets.

=B. elegans= (elegant).* _fl._ scarlet, or scarlet and white. July
to September. _l._ 1ft. to 2ft. long, narrow, furrowed on the upper
side. _h._ 2ft. Mexico, 1850. This is the only species. The colour
of the flowers varies considerably, on which account other names
have originated. (B. R. 25, 34.)

=BETA= (from _bett_, the Celtic word for red; in reference to the colour of the Beet). Beetroot. ORD. _Chenopodiaceæ_. Perianth single, half-inferior, five-cleft, persistent. Seed one, reniform, imbedded in the fleshy base of the calyx. _B. Cicla_ is largely used as a decorative plant in sub-tropical and other styles of gardening. They require the same culture as the ordinary Beet. The other sorts, with dark blood-red leaves, are largely employed in flower gardens, and the roots utilised for culinary purposes. _See also_ =Beet=.

=B. Cicla= (Sicilian). _fl._ greenish, disposed in threes.
August. _l._ with very thick ribs. Roots scarcely any. _h._ 6ft.
Portugal, 1570. The variety, _B. c. variegata_, usually known
as the Chilian Beet, is a very handsome plant, having its leaves
often more than a yard in length and over 1ft. in diameter, with
a remarkably handsome variegation. The midribs are usually dark
orange or scarlet. It is a most desirable and effective plant for
sub-tropical gardening.

=B. hortensis metallica= (metallic). Victoria Beet. An ornamental
variety with glistening deep blood-red leaves. Useful for
decorative purposes in summer, either as a single specimen or in a
mass. Roots may also be used for cooking. See Fig. 248.

=B. maritima= (sea). _fl._ greenish, disposed in hairs. August.
_l._, lower ones rhomboid-ovoid, acute; upper ones lanceolate. Stem
diffuse. Root scarcely any. _h._ 1ft. Britain.

=B. vulgaris= (common). The Common Beetroot. _fl._ greenish,
clustered. August. _l._, lower ones ovate. Root fleshy. _h._ 4ft.
South Europe, 1548.

=BETCKEA.= _See_ =Plectritis=.

=BETEL=, or =BETLE=. _See_ =Piper Betle=.

=BETONICA.= This genus now forms a sub-division of _Stachys_ (which _see_). Betony (_Stachys Betonica_) is a native herb formerly much used in medicine, but now almost entirely discarded.

=BETONY.= _See_ =Stachys Betonica=.

=BETULA.= (according to some authorities, from _Betu_, its Celtic name; others give the derivation of the word as from _batuo_, to beat, the fasces of the Roman lictors, which were made of Birch rods, being used to drive back the people). Birch. ORD. _Cupuliferæ_. TRIBE _Betuleæ_. Ornamental, hardy (except where otherwise specified), deciduous trees or shrubs, allied to _Alnus_, having round, slender, often drooping branches, and the bark in most species in thin membranous layers. The flowers appear at the same time as the leaves. Male catkins cylindrical, lax, imbricated all round with ternate concave scales, the middle one largest, ovate; corolla none; filaments ten to twelve, shorter than the middle scale, to which they are attached. Female catkins similar, but more dense; scales horizontal, peltate, dilated outwards, three-lobed, three-flowered; corolla none. Nut oblong, deciduous, winged at each side. The Betulas are easily cultivated in any ordinary soil; but a light sandy loam suits them best. Most of the species are best increased by seeds, which ripen in September, and need to be dried, in order to prevent fermentation. They should be sown in March, in a sandy soil, the surface of which has been previously made perfectly level. They must be spread on the surface, and not covered with soil, but pressed down with the feet. When grown in quantities, beds 4ft. in width are preferred, with an alley of 1ft. between them. In early summer, if the weather be warm and dry, the beds should be shaded with branches. The young seedlings must be transplanted when a year old. The dwarfer kinds may be propagated by layering in the autumn. The numerous beautiful varieties are best increased by grafting or budding upon seedling stocks of the common kinds, the former being done in spring, and the latter in summer when the buds are ready. Those most useful as forest trees and for protection are quick-growing and very ornamental. The time of maturity of the Birch depends very much upon the soil and situation, but it seldom increases in size after it is thirty years old. The common species (_B. alba_) is one of the hardiest and most useful trees in cultivation, growing quickly, and withstanding exposure better than many others; consequently it is invaluable for skirting and nursing more tender subjects, and is especially desirable for clothing mountainous and exposed districts. It is also very beautiful and picturesque. It is the commonest tree throughout Russia, from the Baltic to the Eastern Sea, frequently monopolising gigantic forests. In Italy, it forms excellent forests up to 6000ft. altitude, and in our own Highlands of Scotland it occurs up to a height of 2500ft. In Greenland, although much reduced in size, it holds its own as the only arboreal vegetation.

=B. alba= (white).* Silver, White, or Common Birch. _fl._ whitish.
February and March. _fr._ brown, ripe in September and October.
_l._ ovate, acute, somewhat deltoid, unequally serrated; autumnal
tints rich yellow, scarlet, or red. A diminutive shrub in the
extreme north, but a tree from 50ft. to 60ft. high in the middle
regions. Britain. A most beautiful and invaluable forest tree, with
a large number of varieties. See Fig. 249.

=B. a. alba-purpurea= (white and purple).* _l._ rich purple above,
with a lustrous metallic hue, pale beneath. Branches with a
sub-pendulous disposition. A very effective variety.

=B. a. dalecarlica= (Dalecarlian).* _l._ deeply pinnatifid, with
the lobes toothed.

=B. a. foliis-variegatis= (variegated-leaved).* _l._ blotched with
yellowish white.

=B. a. laciniata pendula= (pendulous and laciniate).* _l._ rather
larger than the typical form, deeply laciniated, deep green, and
decidedly pendulous. It appears there are two forms of this, but
that known as Young's variety is the best.

=B. a. macrocarpa= (large-fruited).* Female catkins twice as long
as those of the type.

=B. a. pendula= (pendulous).* A well-known tree, distinct from the
species in having the shoots more slender, smoother, and pendulous.

=B. a. pontica= (pontic). _l._ somewhat larger than in the species,
and the plant of more robust growth. (W. D. B. 2, 94.)

=B. a. pubescens= (downy). _l._ covered with hairs.

=B. a. urticifolia= (nettle-leaved).* _l._ deeply laciniated,
serrated, and hairy. Several others, reputed as distinct, are mere
forms of the typical _B. alba_.

=B. Bhojpattra= (Bhojpattra).* _fl._, female catkins erect,
cylindrical, oblong; bracts smooth, woody, two-parted, blunt,
much longer than the fruit, which has narrow wings. May. _l._
oblong-acute, with nearly simple serratures, somewhat cordate at
the base; their stalks, veins, and twigs hairy; the bark is of a
pale cinnamon colour. _h._ 50ft. Himalayas, 1840. This requires a
sheltered position.

=B. carpinifolia= (Hornbeam-leaved). Synonymous with _B. lenta_.

=B. daurica= (Daurian).* _fl._, catkins whitish-brown, larger than
those of the common Birch. February and March. _l._ ovate, narrow
at the base, quite entire, unequally dentate, glabrous; scales of
the strobiles ciliated on their margins; side lobes roundish. _h._
30ft. to 40ft. Siberia, 1786. The variety _parvifolia_ has smaller
leaves than the type.

=B. excelsa= (tall). Synonymous with _B. lutea_.

=B. fruticosa= (shrubby).* _fl._ whitish-brown; female catkins
oblong. February and March. _l._ roundish-ovate, nearly equally
serrated, glabrous. _h._ 5ft. to 6ft. in moist situations, but much
higher on mountains. Eastern Siberia, 1818. (W. D. B. 2, 154.)

=B. glandulosa= (glandular).* _fl._ whitish; female catkins oblong.
May. _l._ obovate, serrate, quite entire at the base, glabrous,
almost sessile; branches beset with glandular dots, glabrous. _h._
2ft. Canada, 1816. A handsome little shrub. (F. D. 2583.)

=B. lenta= (pliant). _fl._ greenish-white. May to June. _l._
cordate, ovate, acutely serrated, acuminate; petioles and nerves
hairy beneath; scales of the strobiles smooth, having the side
lobes obtuse, equal, with prominent veins. _h._ 60ft. to 70ft.
Canada to Georgia, 1759. SYN. _B. carpinifolia_. (W. D. B. 2, 144.)

=B. lutea= (yellow).* _fl._ greenish-white. May. _l._ 3-1/2in.
long, and 2-1/2in. broad, ovate, acute, serrated; petioles
pubescent, shorter than the peduncles; young shoots and leaves, at
their unfolding, downy, but ultimately quite glabrous, except the
petiole, which remains covered with fine short hairs; scales of the
strobiles having the side lobes roundish. _h._ 70ft. to 80ft. Nova
Scotia, 1767. SYN. _B. excelsa_.

=B. nana= (dwarf).* _fl._ whitish-green; catkins erect, stalked,
cylindrical, obtuse; the barren ones lateral, and the fertile
ones terminal; scales of the latter three-lobed, three-flowered,
permanent. April and May. _l._ orbicular, crenate, reticulated with
veins beneath. _h._ 1ft. to 3ft. Scotland, Lapland, Sweden, Russia,
&c. A shrub with numerous branches, slightly downy when young, and
beset with numerous little, round, firm, smooth, sharply crenated
leaves, beautifully reticulated with veins, especially beneath; and
furnished with short footstalks, having a pair of brown lanceolate
stipules at their base. There is also a pretty variety named
_pendula_, with drooping branches.

=B. nigra= (black).* The Black Birch. _fl._ greenish-white; female
catkins straight, and nearly cylindrical, about 2in. long. May.
_l._ rhomboid-ovate, doubly serrated, acute, pubescent beneath,
entire at the base; scales of the strobiles villose; segments
linear, equal. _h._ 60ft. to 70ft. New Jersey to Carolina, 1736.
SYN. _B. rubra_. (W. D. B. 2, 153.)

=B. papyracea= (papery).* _fl._ greenish-white; female catkins on
long footstalks, drooping; scales having the side lobes short,
somewhat orbiculate. May to June. _l._ ovate, acuminate, doubly
serrate; veins hairy beneath; petiole glabrous; the branches are
much less flexible than those of the common Birch, and are more
ascending. _h._ 60ft. to 70ft. North America, 1750. (W. D. B. 2,
152.)

=B. p. fusca= (brown). _l._ smaller than those of the type, and
less downy.

=B. p. platyphylla= (broad-leaved).* _l._ very broad.

=B. p. trichoclada= (hairy-branched).* _l._ cordate. Branches
extremely hairy, and twigs in threes.

=B. populifolia= (Poplar-leaved).* _fl._ greenish-white. April,
May. _l._ deltoid, much acuminated, unequally serrated, quite
smooth; scales of the strobiles having roundish side lobes;
petioles glabrous. _h._ 30ft. Canada, 1750. This species, although
very closely resembling _B. alba_, grows with less vigour, and does
not attain so large a size. (W. D. B. 2, 151.)

=B. p. laciniata= (laciniated).* _l._ large, shining, and deeply
cut.

=B. p. pendula= (pendulous).* Spray drooping, like that of _B. alba
pendula_.

=B. pumila= (dwarf).* _fl._ whitish; female catkins cylindrical.
May and June. _l._ roundish ovate, on long footstalks, densely
clothed with hairs on the under surface. Branches pubescent,
dotless. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Canada, 1762. A very beautiful kind,
suitable for furnishing large rockeries, or planting on hill sides,
or rocky ground. (W. D. B. 2, 97.)

=B. rubra= (red).* Synonymous with _B. nigra_.

=BETULEÆ.= A tribe of deciduous shrubs or trees. Perianth none, or bract-like; flowers monœcious, in catkins, in twos or threes. Fruit, a dry, compressed, lenticular, often winged, indehiscent nut. Leaves alternate, simple, stipulated. The genera are _Alnus_ and _Betula_.

=BI.= In compound words, this signifies twice.

=BIANCEA SCANDENS.= _See_ =Cæsalpinia sepiaria=.

=BIARUM= (an ancient name of a plant). ORD. _Aroideæ_. A genus of small, hardy, tuberous-rooted perennials, much more curious than pretty, allied to _Sauromatum_. This genus, according to Dr. Masters, differs from _Arum_ in its spathe being tubular at the base, with the limb spreading. The female flowers have a distinct style, and the fruit contains only one ovule. They will thrive in any light, rich, well-drained soil, and may otherwise be treated similar to the hardy _Arums_. There are several other species besides those named, but they are not yet in general cultivation.

=B. constrictum= (constricted). A synonym of _B. tenuifolium_.

=B. gramineum= (grassy). A synonym of _B. tenuifolium_.

=B. tenuifolium= (slender-leaved).* _fl._, spathe dark
brown-purple, reflexed in the upper part; spadix very long,
subuliform. June. _l._ linear-lanceolate. _h._ 6in. South Europe,
1570. SYNS. _B. gramineum_ and _B. constrictum_. (B. R. 512, under
name of _Arum tenuifolium_.)

=BIAURICULATE.= Having two auricles.

=BIBRACTEATE.= Furnished with two bracts.

=BIBRACTEOLATE.= Furnished with two secondary bracts.

=BICARINATE.= Two-keeled.

=BICOLOR.= Two-coloured.

=BICONJUGATE.= Having two secondary petioles, each with a pair of leaflets.

=BICORNUTE.= With two horn-like processes.

=BIDENS= (from _bis_, twice, and _dens_ a tooth; in reference to the seed). Bur Marigold. ORD. _Compositæ_. A rather large genus of mostly hardy annual and perennial herbs, distinguished by the pericarp having from two to four rigid awns, which are rough with minute deflexed points. Involucre erect, of several oblong, nearly equal, parallel scales. Most of the species of this genus are of no merit as garden plants. Two are natives of Britain, viz., _B. cernua_ and _B. tripartita_. They thrive in any ordinary garden soil. Propagated by divisions of the plant; or by seeds.

=B. atro-sanguinea= (dark-bloody). _fl.-heads_ black-crimson, very
freely produced. Late summer and autumn. Leaves pinnate. Root
tuberous. _h._ 3ft. Mexico. (B. M. 5227.)

=B. ferulæfolia= (Ferula-leaved). _fl.-heads_ yellow. Autumn. _l._
bipinnatifid. _h._ 2ft. Mexico, 1799. SYN. _Coreopsis ferulæfolia_.
(B. M. 2059.)

=B. procera= (tall). _fl.-heads_ yellow, large. _l._ finely
divided, deep green. A handsome perennial. _h._ 6ft. to 8ft.
Mexico, 1820. (B. R. 684.)

=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.)