Chapter M: A. S. Salm-Dyck. Monographia generum Aloes et Mesembryanthemi (5)

=ÆSCHYNANTHUS= (from _aischuno_, to be ashamed, and _anthos_, a flower). ORD. _Gesneraceæ_. A genus of very beautiful twining, radicant or parasitical stove shrubs, with opposite, simple, entire leaves, and axillary, terminal, few flowered, umbellate peduncles. They possess all the qualifications worthy of extensive cultivation--handsome flowers, fine deep green leaves, an agreeable fragrance, and are easily grown on blocks, which must be covered with green moss, fastened on with small copper wire. Preparatory to fastening them on, the roots should be covered with moss, and the plants secured to the block also by wire. After this, but little attention is requisite, except duly syringing and occasionally dipping in tepid water. As pot plants they are very beautiful, and in this method perfection is only obtained by growing them on fast and strong by generous treatment, which consists in frequently repotting in light rich compost till they are large enough to be trained up a trellis, formed of slender rods of willow or hazel. Propagated by seeds and cuttings. The former are very unsatisfactory; the latter root readily during spring in a well-drained pot, filled with a light compost, and having a surface of pure white sand, about 1in. deep. The best are obtained from half-ripened wood, cut into 2in. or 3in. lengths, and all leaves, with the exception of one or two at the top, removed. The cuttings should then be covered over with a bell glass, and placed in moderate bottom heat. So soon as rooted, transfer them singly to small pots, and again place under hand glasses, until they are thoroughly established, then gradually harden off. When about twelve months old, place the plants in their permanent quarters. Baskets are commonly and very effectively employed. Line these with moss, and fill with a light rich compost; place the plant as near the centre as possible, and, to promote a uniform growth, fasten down the branches with small neat pegs, at equal distances. During the summer, give copious supplies of water, to produce a liberal growth, which is of the utmost importance the first season, when they should not be permitted to flower. The following winter they should be kept cool and rather dry, thus giving them a rest. The year following, if properly managed, they will bloom profusely.

=Æ. atrosanguinea= (dark-red).* _fl._ dark red; corolla 1-1/2in.
long, cylindrical, saccate at base, pilose; peduncle one-flowered.
July. _l._ pilose, oblong, sub-cordate, serrated, unequal. _h._
1-1/2ft. Guatemala, 1848.

=Æ. Aucklandi.= (Lord Auckland's). Synonymous with _Æ. speciosus_.

=Æ. Boschianus= (Bosch's).* _fl._ scarlet, axillary, clustered;
corolla tubular, with wide throat; calyx tubular, smooth,
purplish-brown. July. _l._ ovate, obtuse, entire. _h._ 1ft. Java,
1844. See Fig. 36.

=Æ. cordifolius= (heart-leaved).* _fl._ deep red, striped with
black, inside of the tube orange, axillary, clustered. Summer. _l._
cordate, quite smooth, dark green on the upper side, paler below.
_h._ 1ft. Borneo, 1858.

=Æ. fulgens= (shining).* _fl._ bright crimson, very long;
throat and the under side of the tube orange; lobes striped
with black, disposed in terminal umbels. October. _l._ large,
oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, thick and fleshy, bright dark green.
_h._ 1ft. East Indies, 1855.

=Æ. grandiflorus= (large-flowered).* _fl._ deep crimson and orange,
large; corolla clavate; segments obtuse, with a dark mark at top,
equal; umbels many-flowered. August. _l._ oblong-lanceolate,
acuminated, serrated, obscurely-nerved, fleshy, dark green, _h._
5ft. East Indies, 1838.

=Æ. javanicus= (Java). _fl._ bright red, stained with yellow in the
throat; corolla downy, tubular; corymbs terminal, bracteate. June.
_l._ small, ovate, slightly toothed, with sunk veins. Java, 1848.
Plant scandent.

=Æ. Lobbianus= (Lobb's).* _fl._ rich scarlet; calyx large,
campanulate; corolla downy; corymbs terminal, bracteate. June. _l._
elliptic, entire or slightly serrated, glaucous. Java, 1845. Plant
subscandent.

=Æ. longiflorus= (long-flowered).* _fl._ scarlet, erect, fascicled;
corolla with a long clavate curved tube, and oblique constructed
bilobed mouth; upper lobe bifid. Summer. _l._ broad-lanceolate,
acuminate, entire. Java, 1845. Plant pendulous.

=Æ. miniatus= (vermilion).* _fl._ rich vermilion; corolla
tomentose; upper lip bilobed, lower one tripartite; peduncles
axillary, three-flowered. June. _l._ oval acute, entire. _h._
1-1/2ft. Java, 1845. SYN. _Æ. radicans_.

=Æ. pulcher= (fair).* _fl._ bright scarlet; corolla three times
larger than the calyx; corymbs terminal, bracteate. June. _l._
ovate, obscurely toothed. Java, 1845. Scandent.

=Æ. radicans= (stem-fibred). Synonymous with _Æ. miniatus_.

=Æ. speciosus= (showy).* _fl._ rich orange-coloured; corolla with
long clavate curved tube, and obliquely four-lobed limb; upper lobe
bifid, terminal, numerous, downy. Summer. _l._ upper ones always
verticillate, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, slightly serrate. _h._
2ft. Java, 1845. SYN. _Æ. Aucklandi_.

=Æ. splendidus= (splendid).* _fl._ bright scarlet, spotted with
black on the margins; corolla clavate, 3in. long, in terminal
fascicles. Summer, lasting in perfection for a considerable time.
_l._ elliptic lanceolate, acuminated, entire, rather undulated.
_h._ 1ft. Hybrid.

=Æ. tricolor= (three-coloured).* _fl._ deep blood red, usually
twin; throat and base of the lobes bright orange, the three upper
lobes being striped with black. July. _l._ cordate, dark green
above, paler on the under side; edges, under surface, and stem,
slightly hairy. _h._ 1ft. Borneo, 1857.

=Æ. zebrinus= (zebra-marked). _fl._ green, brown. Autumn. Java,
1846.

=ÆSCHYNOMENE= (from _aischuno_, to be ashamed; in reference to the leaves of some of the species falling on the slightest touch, like those of the Sensitive plant). ORD. _Leguminosæ_. Stove herbs and shrubs, with impari-pinnate leaves, having many pairs of leaflets, and axillary racemes of usually yellow flowers. They thrive well in a good rich loam. Propagated by cuttings, placed in sand under a bell glass, in a brisk heat. Seeds of the herbaceous species require a good heat to start them into growth. The annuals are not worth growing. There are about forty other species known besides those mentioned, some of which may prove worthy of cultivation when introduced.

=Æ. aristata= (awned). A synonym of _Pictatia aristata_.

=Æ. aspera= (rough-stemmed). _fl._ yellow; racemes compound;
peduncles, bracteas, calyces, and corollas, hispid. June. _l._ with
thirty to forty pairs of linear leaflets, which (as well as the
legumes) are smooth. Stem herbaceous, erect. _h._ 6ft. to 8ft. East
Indies, 1759. Perennial.

=Æ. sensitiva= (sensitive).* _fl._ white; legumes and racemes
glabrous; peduncles branched, few-flowered. June. _l._ with sixteen
to twenty pairs of linear leaflets. Stem smooth. _h._ 3ft. to 6ft.
Jamaica, 1733. This shrub requires a sandy soil.

=ÆSCULUS= (a name given by Pliny to a kind of oak having an edible fruit; derived from _esca_, nourishment). The Horse Chestnut. ORD. _Sapindaceæ_. A genus of hardy showy trees, well adapted for lawns or parks, having a beautiful appearance when in flower. They will do well in any soil, but the more loamy the better. Increased by layers, put down in the spring, or by grafting or budding on the common horse chestnut. Seeds, where procurable, should be sown singly in rows in spring, where they may remain until they are of sufficient size to be permanently planted out. This genus is distinguished from _Pavia_, in having its capsules echinated, _i.e._, covered with prickles, like a hedgehog; but this character is not always consistent.

=Æ. carnea= (flesh-coloured). Synonymous with _Æ. rubicunda_.

=Æ. glabra= (smooth-leaved).* _fl._ greenish yellow; corolla of
four spreading petals, with their claws about the length of the
calyx; stamens longer than the corolla. June. _l._ with five
leaflets, very smooth; foliage larger than the common species. _h._
20ft. North America, 1821. SYNS. _A. ohioensis_, _A. pallida_.

=Æ. Hippocastanum= (Common Horse-Chestnut). _fl._ white, tinged
with red, on very handsome terminal racemes, which are produced
in great profusion; petals five. April and May. _l._ with seven
obovately-cuneated, acute, toothed leaflets. Asia, 1629. This, the
common horse chestnut, is well known by the beautiful parabolic
form in which it grows, and during the period of its flowering no
tree possesses greater beauty. It has two or three unimportant
varieties, differing in the variation of their leaves, and one also
with double flowers. These are increased by grafting only.

=Æ. ohioensis= (Ohio). A synonym of _A. glabra_.

=Æ. pallida= (pale-flowered). A synonym of _A. glabra_.

=Æ. rubicunda= (red-flowered).* _fl._ scarlet, in very fine
terminal racemes; petals four, having the claws shorter than
the calyx; stamens eight. June. _l._ with five to seven
obovately-cuneated, acute, unequally serrated leaflets. _h._
20ft. North America, 1820. This is a very distinct and beautiful
tree when in flower, and does not attain so large a size as _Æ.
Hippocastanum_. SYN. _Æ. carnea_.

=ÆSTIVATION.= The manner of the folding of the calyx and corolla in the flower bud.

=ÆTHIONEMA= (from _aitho_, to scorch, and _nema_, a filament; apparently in allusion to some tawny or burnt appearance in the stamens). ORD. _Cruciferæ_. A genus of elegant little plants, distinguished from allied genera in having the four larger stamens winged, and with a tooth. Herbs or sub-shrubs, perennial or annual, branched from the base, diffuse or erect. Flowers in crowded terminal racemes. Leaves fleshy, sessile. They are well worth cultivating in sunny situations, where they form a freer flowering habit than when growing in a wild state. Some of the more hardy species may be planted on rock work, which, by their dwarf growth, they are well adapted for. The annual and biennial species may either be sown on rockwork or in the front of the flower-border. A light dry soil suits them best. The shrubby kinds of this genus should be kept in pots, which should be well drained with potsherds, and treated like other alpine plants. Propagated by seeds, sown in May; or by cuttings, planted in summer.

=Æ. Buxbaumii= (Bauxbaum's). _fl._ pale red; racemes crowded,
aggregate. June. _l._ oblong-spathulate, glaucous. _h._ 6in.
Thrace, 1823. A pretty annual, with erect branched stems. SYN.
_Thlaspi arabicum_.

=Æ. coridifolium= (Coris-leaved).* _fl._ rosy lilac, small, in
terminal dense rounded racemes. June. _l._ linear, glaucous,
crowded. Asia Minor, 1871. A pretty perennial, shrubby below, with
erect stems 6in. to 8in. high. See Fig. 37.

=Æ. gracile= (slender). _fl._ purplish; racemes crowded, terminal;
when in fruit, loose. June. _l._ lanceolate, pointed. _h._ 8in.
Branches and branchlets slender, elongated. Sandy hills in
Carniola, 1820. Shrubby perennial.

=Æ. grandiflorum= (large-flowered).* _fl._ of a warm shaded
rose; racemes crowded, terminal, numerous. May to August. _l._
ovate-oblong, glaucous. Mount Lebanon, 1879. This perennial species
forms a spreading bush about 1-1/2ft. high, and is perhaps the
handsomest of the genus. It succeeds well in the ordinary border,
but is far better suited for the rockery. See Fig. 38.

=Æ. membranaceum= (membranous-podded). _fl._ purplish, in terminal
racemes. June. _l._ linear, distant, somewhat fleshy, strictly
appressed. _h._ 3in. to 6in. Persia, 1828. A small shrub, with
filiform branches.

=Æ. monospermum= (one-seeded). _fl._ purple, largish, in terminal
racemes. July. _l._ oval or obovate, blunt, coriaceous; pods
one-celled, one-seeded. _h._ 3in. to 6in. Spain, 1778. A pretty
little biennial, with hardish branches.

=Æ. pulchellum= (pretty).* This is said to be a new species,
but it much resembles _Æ. coridifolium_. It is scarcely in full
cultivation yet, but it proves one of the hardiest as well as one
of the most handsome kinds.

=Æ. saxatilis= (rock).* _fl._ purplish; racemes loose, terminal.
May and June. _l._ lanceolate, acutish. _h._ 8in. Spain, 1820. A
pretty annual.

=AFRICAN ALMOND.= _See_ =Brabejum=.

=AFRICAN BLADDER NUT.= _See_ =Royena lucida=.

=AFRICAN FLEABANE.= _See_ =Tarchonanthus=.

=AFRICAN HAREBELL.= _See_ =Roella ciliata=.

=AFRICAN LILY.= _See_ =Agapanthus=.

=AFRICAN LOTUS.= _See_ =Zizyphus=.

=AFRICAN MARIGOLD.= _See_ =Tagetes erecta=.

=AFRICAN OAK OR TEAK.= _See_ =Vitex Doniana=.

=AFRICAN SATIN-BUSH.= _See_ =Podalyria sericea=.

=AFZELIA= (named after Adam Afzelius, M.D., Professor of Botany in the University of Upsal, and for many years resident at Sierra Leone). ORD. _Leguminosæ_. A pretty stove evergreen tree. For culture, _see_ =Ægiphila=.

=A. africana= (African).* _fl._ crimson, disposed in racemes;
petals four (furnished with claws), upper one largest. June. Legume
ligneus, many-celled; seeds black, with scarlet aril. _l._ abruptly
pinnate. _h._ 30ft. Sierra Leone, 1821.

=AGALMYLA= (from _agalma_, an ornament; and _hule_, a wood; the species are great ornaments to the woods in which they grow wild). ORD. _Gesneraceæ_. A small but very handsome genus of climbing or radicant herbs, with simple alternate leaves and axillary fascicles of flowers, something like the blooms of a Gesnera. Corolla limb oblique, five-lobed, scarcely two-lipped. _A. staminea_, the most generally cultivated species, is best grown in a basket, planted in a compost of rough peat, a little leaf soil, fresh sphagnum moss, and nodules of charcoal. Give an abundance of moisture when growing, which should be lessened after flowering, and allow the plant to rest during winter. It may be planted out on rockwork in the stove. Half-ripened cuttings will root freely in heat under a glass. The temperature in summer should not be less than 75deg. by day, and 65deg. by night.

=A. longistyla= (long-styled). _fl._ crimson. Java, 1873.

=A. staminea= (long-stamened).* _fl._ scarlet, disposed in axillary
fascicles; corolla tubular, incurved, with a dilated throat.
Summer. _l._ alternate, oblong, acuminated, denticulated, nearly
equal at the base, downy beneath, and on the edges. Stem and
petioles hairy. _h._ 2ft. Java, 1846. Stove species.

=AGANISIA= (from _aganos_, desirable; in reference to the beauty of these neat little plants). ORD. _Orchidaceæ_. A small genus of epiphytal orchids, requiring to be grown upon a block of wood suspended from the rafters of the stove. A damp atmosphere, syringing the roots and leaves freely when in a growing state, and shade during very bright sunshine, are primary points to be observed in their cultivation. Increased by dividing the pseudo-bulbs just previous to starting into new growth.

=A. cœrulea= (dark blue).* _fl._ peduncles axillary, few flowered.
"The colour is the well known one of _Vanda cœrulea_. There are,
however, darker blue blotches quasi-tesselated over the flower.
The lip is veiled, and has two very small basilar teeth, and
then a veiled middle lacinia, that is sacciform, bordered with
most remarkable long bristles, and with a deep violet blotch on
its middle part beneath. The white column has two cartilaginous
quadrate arms close to the stigmatic hollow." _l._ cuneate, oblong,
acuminate. Pseudo-bulbs distichous, depresso-ovoid. Brazil, 1876.

=A. fimbriata= (fringed).* _fl._ white; lip blue. Demerara, 1874.
This species has also a sacciform, fimbriate lip, but, when
compared with the foregoing, its flowers, leaves, and bulbs are
much smaller, and the lip is not slit up to the apex, but the sac
is round.

=A. graminea= (grass-leaved). A weedy looking species, of no garden
value. Guiana, 1836.

=A. ionoptera= (violet-winged). The flowers, not very much larger
than those of the lily of the valley, are white, with violet
petals, and violet tips and streaks on the sepals. Peru, 1871.

=A. pulchella= (pretty).* _fl._ white, with a blotch of yellow in
the centre of the lip; the spike is produced from the bottom of the
bulb. _h._ 8in. Demerara, 1838. It blossoms at different times of
the year, and lasts two or three weeks in perfection. This species
is very rare and pretty, and is best grown in a pot, with peat, and
good drainage; requires a liberal supply of water at the roots, and
the hottest house.

=AGANOSMA= (from _aganos_, mild, and _osme_, a smell; scent of flowers). ORD. _Apocynaceæ_. A genus of showy stove or warm greenhouse shrubs, with opposite leaves and terminal corymbs of large funnel-shaped flowers, the coronet of which is cup-shaped or cylindrical, "having its parts so united that they appear only as lobes around the mouth of the cup." All the species mentioned are well worth cultivating. They thrive best in a mixture of loam, sand, and peat, in equal proportions. Propagated by cuttings in sand, under glass, and with bottom heat.

=A. acuminata= (pointed-leaved).* _fl._ large, white, fragrant;
petals linear, falcate, curled; panicles axillary, longer than
the leaves, scattered. _l._ from oblong to broad-lanceolate,
acuminated, glabrous. Sylhet. Shrubby climber.

=A. caryophyllata= (clove scented).* _fl._ pale yellow, tinged
with red, deliciously clove scented; corymbs terminal. October.
_l._ oval, acutish at both ends, tomentose beneath as well as the
branches. India, 1812. Shrubby twiner.

=A. cymosa= (cymose-flowered).* _fl._ small, whitish, fragrant;
calyx and corolla hoary outside; cymes terminal, shorter than the
leaves. _l._ elliptic, acuminated. Sylhet. Shrub.

=A. elegans= (elegant).* _fl._ small, purple; corolla downy
outside, as well as the calyces, bracteas, and pedicels; sepals
longer than the tube of the corolla; corymbs terminal, crowded.
_l._ elliptic, short-acuminated, glabrous. India. Shrubby twiner.

=A. marginata= (bordered).* _fl._ numerous, large, white, fragrant;
petals linear, falcate; panicles terminal, loose, corymbose,
glabrous. _l._ lanceolate, smooth. Sylhet. Shrubby climber.

=A. Roxburghii= (Roxburgh's).* _fl._ pure white, large, fragrant;
calyx and corolla hoary outside; petals triangular; corymbs
terminal. October. _l._ ovate-cordate, acuminated; petioles and
veins red, glabrous, pale beneath, and shining above. India, 1812.
Shrubby twiner.

=A. Wallichii= (Wallich's).* _fl._ white, fragrant; calyx and
corolla downy outside; corymbs terminal. _l._ elliptic-acuminated,
shining above and pale beneath, glabrous. India. This species
differs from the last in the veins of the leaves being parallel,
not longitudinal, from the base to the apex. Shrubby twiner.

=AGAPANTHUS= (from _agape_, love, and _anthos_, a flower). ORD. _Liliaceæ_. African Lily. A genus, with numerous varieties, of very handsome greenhouse or conservatory herbaceous plants. Flowers large, scapose; perianth tubular, tube short; stamens six, having the filaments somewhat declinate. Leaves linear or lorate, arching, radical. They are of easy culture, and thrive best in strong turfy loam, leaf mould, decomposed manure, and river sand. They may be grown in large pots or tubs outside, to be removed in autumn, and placed under the stage in the greenhouse, or where they will be protected from frost, and kept moderately dry. If planted and left outside, the crowns should be well covered with cocoa-nut fibre in winter. During the summer, and especially in dry weather, the plants can hardly be over watered. They thrive admirably on the margins of lakes or running streams, and few plants, alike in flower and foliage, are more effective. Clear manure water may be given previous to or when the plants are in flower, and, after flowering, gradually lessen the quantity of water, until they are stowed away for the winter. They increase very rapidly, by offsets, and, if necessary, the old plants may be divided in early spring, to any extent required. In the more southern parts of this country they are quite hardy.

=A. umbellatus= (umbelled).* _fl._ bright blue; perianth
funnel-shaped, regular, deeply six-parted; tube short; scape tall,
naked, bearing a many-flowered umbel. Summer and autumn. _l._
numerous, radical, linear, somewhat fleshy. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Cape
of Good Hope, 1692. See Fig. 39.

=A. u. albidus= (whitish).* _fl._ pure white, on large full-sized
umbels, smaller than those of the species, but very showy. Cape of
Good Hope. This requires carefully drying off during the winter.

=A. u. aureus= (golden). A variety in which the leaves are marked
longitudinally with yellow. 1882.

=A. u. flore-pleno= (double-flowered).* Identical in all respects
with the species, except that it has double flowers, which are
therefore, much more lasting than the single ones. A very handsome
variety.

=A. u. Leichtlinii= (Leichtlin's).* _fl._, perianth deep bright
hyacinthine blue, 1-1/4in. long; scape about 1-1/2ft. long, with a
more compact umbel than any other known form. June. _l._ similar in
size to the species. Cape of Good Hope, 1878.

=A. u. maximus= (larger).* _fl._ bright blue, in immense umbels.
This is larger in all its parts than the type, and when well grown
is truly a noble plant. There is also a white-flowered form of this
variety, which is most desirable, being equally as large.

=A. u. minor= (smaller).* This is smaller in all its parts, with
narrow leaves, and slender scapes of deep blue flowers. A very
elegant variety.

=A. u. Mooreanus= (Moore's).* _fl._ dark blue. _h._ 1-1/2ft. 1879.
A new variety, with shorter, narrower, and more upright leaves than
the species; it has a dwarf habit. Perfectly hardy.

=A. u. variegatus= (variegated).* Where variegated-leaved plants
are desired, few could be more useful than this; its leaves are
almost entirely white, with a few green bands, but they are neither
so broad nor so long as in the type. It is an excellent subject for
the domestic garden.

=AGAPETES= (from _agapetos_, beloved; in reference to the showy character of the plants). ORD. _Vacciniaceæ_. A genus containing about eighteen species of warm greenhouse or stove evergreen shrubs. Flowers corymbose and racemose; corolla tubular. Leaves alternate, coriaceous. They are all worthy of cultivation, but only two or three species are grown in England. Peat, turfy loam, and sand, in equal parts, is the best compost for them; and young hardened cuttings will strike in sandy soil, under a hand glass, in stove temperature.

=A. buxifolia= (box-leaved).* _fl._ bright red, about 1in. long,
tubular, wax-like, disposed in corymbs. April. _l._ small, oval
oblong, bright green, leathery; branches spreading, twiggy. _h._
5ft. Bootan.

=A. setigera= (bristly). _fl._ red, about 1in. long, tubular,
numerous, in lateral and corymbose racemes, furnished with bristly
hairs. _l._ scattered, lanceolate, acuminated, on very short robust
petioles. Pundua Mountains, 1837.

=A. variegata= (variegated). _fl._ scarlet, about 1in. long,
tubular, lateral, corymbose. _l._ on short petioles, lanceolate,
acuminated, denticulated, attenuated at the base, veiny. Khasia,
1837.

=AGARICUS= (derived from _Agaria_, the name of a town in Sarmentosa). Mushroom. ORD. _Fungi_. The most extensive genus known. It, however, contains but one or two species of cultural value. The most important ones are the common field mushroom, _A. campestris_ (Fig. 44), the Fairy Ring mushroom, _A. pratensis_, and _A. vaginatus_. Familiar species are the Parasol mushroom, _A. procerus_ (Fig. 43); St. George's mushroom, _A. gambosus_ (Fig. 42); and the deadly Fly Agaric, _A. muscarius_ (Fig. 41). For practical purposes the majority of this genus are poisonous, and many virulently so. Great care must be exercised in experimenting with unknown species, even by experienced fungologists. _See_ =Mushroom=.

=AGASTACHYS= (from _agastos_, admirable, and _stachys_, a spike). ORD. _Proteaceæ_. A greenhouse evergreen shrub, with four sepalled apetalous flowers, which are disposed in numerous spikes. It thrives in a compost of equal parts loam, sand, and peat. Cuttings of ripened wood will strike in sandy soil under a glass, in a cool house.

=A. odorata= (fragrant).* _fl._ pale yellow, sweet scented,
crowded; spikes 4in. to 5in. long. April. _l._ bluntly lanceolate,
sub-sessile, thickish, about 2in. long. _h._ about 3ft. New
Holland, 1826.

=AGATHÆA= (from _agathos_, excellent; in reference to the beauty of the flowers). ORD. _Compositæ_. Allied to _Cineraria_, and requiring the same greenhouse treatment. It makes a very pretty object for summer decoration in the flower garden. Young cuttings root freely, in a gentle heat, at all times; and the plant may be had in bloom all the year round.

=A. cœlestis= (sky-blue).* _fl.-heads_ blue; peduncle one-headed.
June. _l._ opposite, ovate, naked. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Cape of Good Hope,
1753. Herbaceous perennial. See Fig. 40.

=AGATHA ROSE.= _See_ =Rosa gallica Agatha=.

=AGATHIS.= _See_ =Dammara=.

=AGATHOPHYLLUM= (from _agathos_, pleasant, and _phyllon_, a leaf; referring to the pleasant clove-like smell of the leaf). Madagascar Nutmeg. ORD. _Lauraceæ_. A stove evergreen tree, of economic value only, having the fruit enclosed by the persistent calyx; thriving in peat and light rich loam. Of easy propagation by cuttings in sand, with a moderate bottom heat.

=A. aromaticum= (aromatic). _fl._ white. _l._ stalked, alternate,
obovate, obtuse, leathery, entire, smooth. _h._ 30ft. Madagascar,
1823.

=AGATHOSMA= (from _agathos_, pleasant, and _osme_, smell; the plants contained in this genus have a pleasant smell). SYNS. _Bucco_, _Dichosma_. ORD. _Rutaceæ_. Beautiful small heath-like greenhouse shrubs, from the Cape of Good Hope. Flowers in terminal heads, or umbels; petals five, divided, with long claws, and scattered, short, narrow leaves, usually with revolute edges. They are of easy culture, thriving best in a mixture of sand and peat, with the addition of a little turfy loam. Young cuttings will strike root freely in a pot of sand, under a bell glass, in a cool house. They require to be shaded somewhat in the summer. Winter temperature, 40deg. to 45deg. About forty-six species are known.

=A. acuminata= (taper-pointed leaved).* _fl._ violet; calyces
smooth, glandular, on terminal subcapitate heads. April. _l._
ovate, somewhat cordate, long acuminated, fringed, at length
spreading. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1812.

=A. bruniades= (Brunia-like).* _fl._ lilac or white, on terminal
sub-umbellate heads; peduncles fastigiate, elongated. April. _l._
scattered, linear-trigonal, awl-shaped, dotted, and a little
fringed; branches hairy. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1820.

=A. cerefolia= (chervil-leaved). _fl._ white, small; pedicels and
calyces beset with glandular hairs; heads terminal sub-umbellate.
April. _l._ crowded, lanceolate, acute, spreading, keeled, fringed.
_h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1794.

=A. ciliata= (ciliated).* _fl._ white; pedicels smoothish; heads
terminal sub-umbellate. April. _l._ scattered, lanceolate, acute,
with toothletted-fringed, revolute edges, dotted beneath, and
bearing hairs on the middle nerve, becoming at length reflexed.
_h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1774.

=A. erecta= (upright).* _fl._ pale violet, terminal, sub-umbellate;
peduncles short, villous. April. _l._ imbricate, trigonal, blunt,
dotted beneath, a little fringed. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1818.

=A. hirta= (hairy). _fl._ purple, densely capitate; petals bearded
at the claws. April. _l._ somewhat imbricate, linear, awl-shaped,
channelled, hairy on the back, decurrent. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1794.

=A. hispida= (rough-haired). _fl._ violet, on terminal
sub-umbellate heads; pedicels and sepals pubescent; petals quite
smooth. May. _l._ crowded, linear, trigonal, blunt, spreading,
hispid, keeled, and two-furrowed beneath. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1786.

=A. imbricata= (imbricated). _fl._ pale purple, in terminal
sub-capitate heads; petals with a roundish limb; sepals smoothish;
pedicels pubescent. April. _l._ imbricate, crowded, ovate,
acuminated, dotted, fringed. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1774.

=A. orbicularis= (round-leaved). _fl._ white, on terminal
sub-umbellate heads; stamens twice as long as the corolla; pedicels
pubescent. April. _l._ scattered, spreading, orbicular, ovate,
or reniform, smooth, reflexed, small, thickish, without any dots
beneath; branches villous. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1790.

=A. prolifera= (proliferous). _fl._ white, on terminal
sub-umbellate heads; sepals smooth; pedicels somewhat fastigiate,
pubescent. April. _l._ spreading, lanceolate, cuspidate; keel and
edges fringed, dotted; branches whorled, proliferous. _h._ 1ft. to
3ft. 1790.

=A. pubescens= (downy). _fl._ white; umbels terminal; peduncles and
sepals villous. April. _l._ lanceolate, trigonal, pointless, with
margins and rib ciliated. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1798.

=A. rugosa= (coarsely-wrinkled). _fl._ white, on terminal
sub-umbellate heads; sepals pubescent; pedicels capillary, clothed
with glandular hairs. April. _l._ spreading, oblong or ovate,
blunt, keeled, wrinkled, villous beneath, reflexed. _h._ 1ft. to
2ft. 1790.

=A. vestita= (clothed). _fl._ lilac, on terminal sub-capitate
heads; pedicels quite smooth. May. _l._ closely imbricated, ovate,
acuminated, keeled, fringed. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1824.

=AGATHYRSUS.= _See_ =Mulgedium=.

=AGATI= (its Sanscrit name). ORD. _Leguminosæ_. Ornamental stove trees from India, with lanceolate stipulas, abruptly-pinnate leaves, having many pairs of leaflets. Flowers large, few, racemose. Legumes 1-1/2ft. long. A mixture of loam, peat, and sand is most suitable. Young cuttings will root in a pot of sand, with a hand glass over them, placed in heat.

=A. coccinea= (scarlet).* _fl._ red, rather smaller than the next
species. Legumes rather terete. _l._ leaflets powdery. July. _h._
20ft. to 30ft. 1768.

=A. grandiflora= (large-flowered). _fl._ rosy red. July. Legumes
evidently compressed. _l._ leaflets glabrous. _h._ 14ft. to 26ft.
1768.

=A. g. flore-albo= (white flowered). _fl._ white, double. N.
Australia, 1869.

=AGAVE= (from _agauos_, admirable; referring to the stately form in which some of them flower). ORD. _Amaryllidaceæ_. Flower-scape tall, proceeding from the centre of the rosette of leaves; perianth funnel-shaped, six-parted. Leaves large, fleshy, tufted. Mr. B. S. Williams describes them as follows: "They are noble, massive-growing plants, and form magnificent ornaments in the greenhouse or conservatory; whilst, from their slow growth, they do not rapidly get too large, even for a small greenhouse. Indeed, some of the real gems of this genus are neat, compact-growing plants, seldom exceeding 2ft. in height. Besides being fine ornamental plants for indoor decoration, the larger growing kinds are unquestionably the finest objects for the embellishment of terrace-walks, or surmounting flights of steps in the open air during the summer season, and also for plunging in rockwork, or about any rustic nooks in the pleasure-grounds, as, in such situations, they are quite in keeping, and thrive admirably. As is well known, they attain maturity very slowly; but when this condition is reached, the plant sends up a flower spike, and, after perfecting this, dies." _A. Sartorii_, and a few others are, however, exceptional, and go on flowering year after year. It is certainly fallacious to suppose it takes them a hundred years to flower. Agaves succeed well potted in good loam and river sand, to which may be added a little peat and leaf mould for some of the smaller-growing kinds. The drainage should be good, as they enjoy a liberal supply of water during the summer season, but during winter considerably less will be required. They can be increased by suckers when these are to be obtained, and also by seeds, to secure the production of which, in the species that do not yield suckers, the flowers should be carefully impregnated. In the following descriptive list of species, only those of horticultural value are mentioned, some of which are still rare; and in describing them we have availed ourselves of Mr. J. G. Baker's excellent monograph, which appeared in the columns of the _Gardener's Chronicle_. Many are omitted, not from any deficiency in horticultural beauty, but because, in several instances, only one plant of a species is known to exist in cultivation, and such cannot, therefore, hope to become in general cultivation for many years hence.

=A. albicans= (whitened). Probably a variety of _A. micrantha_.

=A. americana= (American).* _fl._ yellowish green, 2in. to 3-1/2in.
long; in very dense globose clusters, on pedicels 1/4in. to 1/2in.
long; scape, including the thyrsoid panicle, 24ft. to 36ft. August.
_l._ usually thirty to forty, sometimes more, in a rosette,
oblanceolate-spathulate, 3ft. to 6ft. long, 6in. to 9in. broad
above the middle, glaucous green, more or less concave all down
the face, the outer leaves recurved, the dark brown pungent point
1in. to 2in. long; prickles brown tipped, 1/6in. to 1/4in. long. S.
America, 1640. See Fig. 45.

=A. a. mexicana= (Mexican). A variety much shorter in the leaves
than the species, of which it may be regarded as one of the many
small forms.

=A. a. picta= (painted).* _l._ 2ft. to 3ft. long, about 4in. wide,
lower ones recurved, upper ones erect, moderately thick, rich
golden yellow on both sides, bordered with dark green. A very
splendid variety. SYN. _A. ornata_.

=A. a. variegata= (variegated). _l._ 6ft. or more in length, 6in.
or 8in. wide, dark green in the centre, broadly margined with rich
yellow. A very desirable variety.

=A. amœna= (pleasing). Referred to _A. Scolymus_.

=A. amurensis= (Amur River). Synonymous with _A. xylacantha_.

=A. applanata= (plano-convex-leaved). _fl._ unknown. _l._ twenty
to forty in a dense sessile rosette, reaching a couple of feet in
diameter, oblong-spathulate, 8in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 3-1/2in.
broad, the lower half of the face flat, the upper half concave,
suddenly terminating in a pungent brown spine above 1in. long,
blue-green bordered with brown; prickles 1/4in. to 1/3in. long,
bright brown. Mexico, 1869.

=A. atrovirens= (dark-green). Synonymous with _A. Salmiana_.

=A. attenuata= (attenuated).* _fl._ greenish-yellow, 2in. long;
pedicels about 1/4in. long, on a dense spike, 6ft. to 8ft.
long, and 6in. in diameter; bracts overtopping the perianth.
_l._ ten to twenty, in a dense rosette at the top of the stem,
oblong-spathulate, 2ft. to 2-1/2ft. long, 8in. to 9in. broad
two-thirds of the way up, narrowed to 2-1/2in. to 3in. above the
base, persistently glaucous, one of the most fleshy of all in
texture; face rather concave when young; tip not pungent, edge
quite entire. Stem 4ft. to 7ft. high, 3in. to 4in. thick. Mexico,
1834. A most distinct species.

=A. Beaucarnei= (Beaucarne's). Synonymous with _A. Kerchovei_.

=A. Botterii= (Botteri's).* _fl._ greenish-yellow, about 1in.
long, on a dense spike, longer than the leaves; primary bracts
lanceolate, with a long point, the lower ones as long as the
flowers; scape covered with adpressed lanceolate bracts. _l._ about
fifty in a rosette, oblong-spathulate, about 2ft. long, 6in. broad
above the middle, narrowed to 4-1/2in. above the base; pale green,
concave in the centre; spine hard, pungent, about 1/2in. long;
marginal teeth crowded, 1/8in., upcurved at the tip. Stemless.
Mexico, about 1865.

=A. bulbifera= (bulb-bearing). Synonymous with _A. vivipara_.

=A. cæspitosa= (tufted). Synonymous with _A. Sartorii_.

=A. cantula.= Synonymous with _A. vivipara_.

=A. Celsiana= (Cels's).* _fl._ tinged purplish-brown, 2in. long,
in a dense spike, 1ft. or more long, and 6in. to 8in. in diameter
when expanded; scape 4ft. long, the lower bract leaves lanceolate,
the upper ones subulate. _l._ twenty to thirty in a rosette,
oblong-spathulate, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 4in. to 5in. broad at the
middle, narrowed to 2-1/2in. to 3in. above the base, persistently
glaucous, the point hardly at all pungent; spines very unequal in
size and shape, green, largest brown and horny at the top. Mexico,
1839. This is a beautiful species, the stem of which scarcely rises
off the surface of the ground. See Fig. 46.

=A. coccinea= (scarlet). _fl._ unknown. _l._ twenty to thirty in
a dense rosette, oblanceolate-spathulate, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long,
4in. to 6in. broad two-thirds of the way up, narrowed to 3in.
above the dilated base, where it is 1in. to 1-1/4in. thick, deep
heavy green; terminal spine 1-1/2in. or more in length, red; side
prickles irregular, deltoid, unequal, nearly straight, 1/6in. to
1/4in. long, red. Mexico, 1859.

=A. cochlearis= (cochleate). _fl._ yellowish green, above 4in.
long, in dense clusters. _l._ forming a sessile rosette 10ft.
broad, oblong-spathulate, 5ft. to 6ft. long, above 1ft. broad, 5in.
thick at the base, opaque green, with a deeply excavated face;
terminal spine very stout, pungent; side prickles curved variously,
middle sized, deltoid. Stems 26ft. high. Mexico, previous to 1867.

=A. Consideranti= (Considerant's). Synonymous with _A. Victoriæ
Regina_.

=A. Corderoyi= (Corderoy's).* _fl._ unknown. _l._ forty to fifty
in a dense rosette, rigidly erecto-patent, ensiform, 1-1/2ft.
long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad, bright green; terminal spine hard,
brown, 1in. long; side prickles moderately close, erecto-patent,
dark brown, 1/6in. long. Mexico, 1868. A very distinct and pretty
species.

=A. crenata= (crenated). Referred to _A. Scolymus_.

=A. cucullata= (hooded). Referred to _A. Scolymus_.

=A. dasylirioides= (Dasylirion-like).* _fl._ yellow, about 1-1/2in.
long; spike as long as the scape, often decurved; lower bracts
much longer than the flowers; pedicels obsolete; scape 6ft. long,
densely clothed with spreading subulate bract leaves, the lower
ones 1ft. long. _l._ eighty to a hundred in a dense rosette,
linear-ensiform, 1-1/2ft. to 3ft. long, about 1in. broad, narrowing
gradually from the middle to a short brown pungent point, pale
glaucous green, rigidly leathery; edge minutely denticulate.
Mexico, 1846.

=A. d. dealbata= (whitened). A variety of preceding, but with more
glaucous foliage.

=A. densiflora= (close-flowered).* _fl._ yellowish-red, 1-1/2in. to
2in. long, on a dense spike, 2ft. long; pedicels very short; scape,
including the spike, 6ft. long, the lower bracts ascending, the
upper ones spreading. _l._ thirty to forty in a stemless rosette,
oblanceolate-spathulate, 2ft. to 3ft. long, and 2-1/2in. to 5in.
broad, bright green when mature; terminal spine 1/2in. long, thick,
pungent, slightly decurrent; side spines crowded, short, bright
chestnut brown. Mexico (previous to) 1857. See Fig. 47.

=A. Deserti= (Desert's).* _fl._ yellow, under 2in. long, on a
thyrsoid panicle, the branches very short, the lower horizontal,
the upper ascending; pedicels short; scape 4ft. to 10ft. high,
1in. to 2in. thick at the base, furnished with distant lanceolate
acuminate toothed bracts. _l._ few, in a rosette, oblanceolate,
6in. to 12in. long, 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad above the middle, thick,
fleshy, very glaucous; face deeply concave; terminal spine 1in. to
2in. long, slender; prickles crowded, strong, hooked, horny, nearly
1/4in. long. California, 1877.

=A. Desmetiana= (De Smet's). Probably synonymous with _A.
miradorensis_.

=A. Elemeetiana= (Elemeet's).* _fl._ yellowish-green, 1in. to
1-1/2in. long, in a dense spike 8ft. to 9ft. long, 7in. to 8in.
in diameter when expanded; pedicels 1/4in. long; scape, including
the spike, 12ft. to 13ft. high, stiffly erect, lower 3ft. to
4ft., barren, with squarrose lanceolate bracts. _l._ twenty to
twenty-five in a rosette, lanceolate-oblong, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long,
3in. to 6in. wide, slightly glaucous; face flat above the middle
terminal spine, not pungent, the margin pale and quite entire.
Stemless. A very distinct species. Mexico, 1864.

=A. Fenzliana= (Fenzl's). Synonymous with _A. Hookeri_.

=A. ferox= (fierce). _fl._ unknown. _l._ about twenty in a rosette,
oblong-spathulate, 4in. to 8in. broad; face nearly flat, except at
the top, slightly glaucous green; terminal spine above 1in. long,
hard, pungent; margin slightly wavy between the large dark brown
teeth, which are about 1/4in. long, and curved at the top. Mexico,
1861.

=A. filifera= (thread-bearing).* _fl._ greenish, about 2in. long;
pedicels very short and stout, in a dense spike 2ft. to 3ft. long;
scape 3ft. to 4ft. long, its bract-leaves subulate, the lower
ones ascending, the upper squarrose. _l._ sixty to a hundred in a
dense rosette, stiff, straight, ensiform, 6in. to 9in. long, 1in.
broad at the middle, gradually narrowing to a grey pungent tip;
face flat, the continuous grey edge splitting off copiously into
irregular spreading grey wiry threads; outer leaves of the rosette
not all recurved, but spreading stiffly. Mexico.

=A. f. filamentosa= (thready).* A form with larger leaves and
scape; including the spike, 10ft. to 12ft. high. A well-known,
handsome variety.

=A. Galeotti= (Galeotti's). _fl._ unknown. _l._ thirty to forty
in a dense rosette, 2ft. to 3ft. broad, oblong-spathulate, 1ft.
to 1-1/2ft. long, 2in. to 6in. broad; face rather flat or convex,
green; terminal spine hard, pungent; prickles close, straight, or
slightly hooked, purplish-black. Mexico, 1877.

=A. Ghiesbreghtii= (Ghiesbreght's). _fl._ unknown. _l._ thirty to
forty in a dense rosette, rigid, lanceolate, 9in. to 12in. long,
2in. to 3in. broad, bright glossy green; terminal spine 1/2in.
long, pungent; border narrow, red-brown till a late stage; side
prickles numerous, irregular, two to three lines long. Mexico,
1862. Very handsome dwarf species. _A. Rohanii_ and _A. Leguayana_
are mere varieties.

=A. heteracantha= (various-spined).* _fl._ greenish, 1-1/2in. long,
on a dense spike 3ft. long; scape 3ft. to 4ft. long. _l._ fifty to
eighty in a rosette, rigid, ensiform, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 2in.
to 2-1/2in. broad in the middle, dull green, with numerous darker
green lines on the back; terminal point 1in. long; side spines
numerous, strongly hooked, lanceolate. Stemless. Mexico.

=A. Hookeri= (Hooker's).* _fl._ large, yellow, very numerous,
in stalked panicled cymes. _l._ thirty to forty in a sessile
rosette, 8ft. or 9ft. in diameter, oblanceolate-spathulate,
bright green on the face, rather glaucous on the back, 4ft. to
5ft. long, 5in. to 9in. broad, 2in. to 3in. thick; terminal spine
2in. long, and decurrent for nearly half a foot; face flattish or
slightly concave; side prickles irregular, brown and horny, about
1/4in. long, and curved in different directions. Mexico. SYN. _A.
Fenzliana_. A rare and noble species, very massive.

=A. horrida= (horrid).* _fl._ unknown. _l._ thirty to forty in a
dense rosette, rigid, lanceolate-spathulate, 8in. to 12in. long,
1in. to 2in. broad, bright green; terminal spine pungent, nearly
1in. long; margin furnished with a continuous broad grey border,
with copious prickles 3/8in. to 1/2in. long.

=A. h. Gilbeyi= (Gilbey's).* _l._ about thirty, 3in. to 4in. long,
2in. broad, dark green with a pale stripe down the middle, three to
four large spines on each side. Mexico, 1873.

=A. h. lævior= (smoother). _l._ somewhat narrower, longer, with
marginal spines less strongly developed, and of a paler colour.
Mexico, 1870.

=A. h. macrodonta= (long-toothed). _l._ fifty to sixty, 2-1/2in.
broad; spines larger than in the typical form. Mexico, 1876.

=A. h. micrantha= (small-toothed). Border of leaf narrower, and
spines smaller, than in the typical form.

=A. Jacobiana= (Jacob's). Synonymous with _A. Salmiana_.

=A. Kerchovei= (Kerchove's).* _fl._ unknown. _l._ thirty to forty
in a stemless rosette, stiff, rigid, typically ensiform, 6in.
to 12in. long, 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad, narrowing gradually to a
pungent spine 1in. long, dull green, with a distinct pale central
band, rounded on the back, without any stripes of dark green,
the margin with a continuous moderately broad grey border; side
prickles irregular, grey, lanceolate, curved, 1/6in. to 1/4in.
long. SYN. _A. Beaucarnei_.

There are several varieties of _A. Kerchovei_, of which the following are the most important:--

=A. K. diplacantha= (double-spined).* With very few distant, small
teeth, often collected or united in pairs.

=A. K. inermis= (unarmed). Dwarf, with spines entirely obsolete.

=A. K. macrodonta= (long-toothed). _l._ 1-1/2ft. long, without any
distinct central band, and with copious irregular grey lanceolate
prickles, about 1/3in. long.

=A. K. pectinata= (comb-like). _l._ 1ft. long, 2-1/4in. broad,
without any central band.

=A. lophantha= (crest-flowered).* _fl._ greenish, arranged in a
dense spike 4ft. to 5ft. long; scape 7ft. to 8ft. long, its leaves
brown, the lower ones 6in. long. _l._ thirty to forty in a rosette,
rigid, ensiform, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1-1/2in. broad at the middle,
rather concave down the face, rounded on the back, not marked with
any lines, dull green; terminal spine 1in. long; margins bordered
by a very narrow continuous grey hoary line, furnished with distant
linear falcate teeth, about 1/12in. long, sessile. Mexico.

=A. l. cœrulescens= (bluish).* _l._ with a decided glaucous bloom.

=A. l. longifolia= (long-leaved). A mere variety of above species.

=A. macracantha= (long-spined).* _fl._ greenish, 2in. long, ten
to twelve in a loose raceme 6in. long, all solitary on ascending
pedicels 1/4in. to 1/2in. long; scape 2ft. to 3ft. long; bracts
erect. _l._ thirty to fifty in a stiff rosette 1ft. to 2ft. broad,
oblanceolate, 6in. to 12in. long, 1in. to 1-1/2in. broad, very
stiff and rigid, very glaucous; face rather thicker in the lower
half; terminal spine nearly black, very pungent, 1/2in. long;
side prickles purplish-black, sub-distant, 1/8in. long, with a
large point straight or slightly hooked. With a short stem, or
stemless. Mexico, 1830. It has many varieties, among which are _A.
Bessereriana_ and _A. flavescens_.

=A. Maximiliana= (Maximilian's).* _fl._ unknown. _l._ about
twenty in a sessile rosette, oblanceolate-spathulate, 1-1/2ft. to
2ft. long, 1-3/4in. to 3in. broad; face slightly glaucous green;
terminal spine pungent, brown, 1in. broad; side prickles bright
chestnut brown, larger and more irregular than in _A. americana_,
more hooked, and furnished with longer and sharper points, reaching
1/4in. long. Mexico. A very distinct species.

=A. micracantha= (small-spined). _fl._ yellowish, 1-1/2in. long, in
a dense spike 3ft. to 4ft. long, 6in. to 7in. broad when expanded.
_l._ twenty to thirty in a shortly stalked rosette, oblanceolate
oblong, 15in. to 18in. long, 3in. to 5in. broad above the middle,
narrowed to 2in. to 3in. above the base, bright green; face
flattish above the centre; terminal spine red brown, moderately
firm; the copious close reddish-brown horny teeth about 1/12in.
long, the upper ones ascending, the lower deflexed. Mexico, 1860.

=A. miradorensis= (Mirador).* _fl._ unknown. _l._ about thirty in
a sessile rosette, oblanceolate-spathulate, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long,
2in. to 2-1/2in. broad above the middle, thin but firm in texture,
very glaucous, with a firm red-brown terminal spine 1in. long;
side prickles very minute, crowded, colourless, five or six to an
inch in the centre of the leaf. Mexico, 1869. SYN. (probably) _A.
Desmetiana_.

=A. Noackii= (Noack's). A synonym of _A. Sartorii_.

=A. ornata= (adorned). A synonym of _A. americana picta_.

=A. Ortgiesiana= (Ortgies'). A dwarf form of _A. schidigera_ with a
pale central band to the leaf. Mexico, 1861. A widely-distributed
and desirable species.

=A. pendula= (pendulous). Synonymous with _A. Sartorii_.

=A. polyacantha= (many-spined).* _fl._ greenish-yellow, 1-1/2in.
to 2in. long; flowering-stem 8ft. to 12ft. high, including the
dense spike, which is 3ft. to 4ft. long. _l._ about thirty in a
sessile rosette, oblanceolate-spathulate, rigid, 1ft. to 2ft. long,
2-1/2in. to 5in. broad above the middle, bright green, slightly
glaucous when young; terminal spine dark brown, pungent, 1/2in. to
3/4in. long; side prickles crowded, deltoid, dark chestnut brown,
irregular, 1/12in. or 1/8in. long, all sub-patent. Mexico, 1800.
SYNS. _A. uncinata_, _A. xalapensis_.

=A. Poselgerii= (Poselger's). _fl._ purplish, rather more than 1in.
long; scape, including the spike, 6ft. to 10ft. _l._ twenty to
thirty in a dense rosette, rigid, ensiform, 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. long;
1-1/2in. to 2in. broad at the middle, dull green, with a broad pale
band down to the face, rounded and marked with numerous distinct
green lines down the back; margin furnished with a continuous
straight, moderately broad edge; terminal spine 1in. long, brown,
pungent; side prickles moderately close, lanceolate, hooked, 1/6in.
long. Trunk, 4in. to 6in. long. Texas.

=A. potatorum= (drinkers'). _fl._ greenish yellow, 3in. long; scape
12ft. high, including the thyrsoid panicle, which is 4ft. to 5ft.
long. _l._ about twenty in a dense sessile rosette, 4ft. to 5ft.
broad, oblong-spathulate, 2ft. to 2-1/2ft. long, 7in. to 9in. broad
above the middle, a dull glaucous green; face slightly concave;
terminal spines hard, pungent, 1-1/2in. to 2in. long; side prickles
deltoid-cuspidate, about 1/4in. long, with the edge slightly wavy
between them. Mexico, 1830.

=A. pruinosa= (frosty).* _fl._ unknown. _l._ ten to twenty in a
dense rosette, spreading, oblanceolate-oblong, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft.
long, 4in. to 5in. broad above the middle, soft and fleshy in
texture, pale glaucous green; terminal spine very weak; edge
furnished with minute irregular spreading deltoid serrations, not
more than quarter line long. Mexico, 1863. A very distinct species.

=A. Roezliana= (Roezl's). _fl._ unknown. _l._ twenty to thirty in
a sessile rosette, stiff, ensiform, 6in. to 7in. long, 1in. to
1-1/2in. broad at the middle, bright glossy green, with a distinct
pale band down the centre, broadly rounded on the back, without any
darker green lines, margined with a continuous moderately broad
border, red brown at first, fading into grey when old; terminal
spines bright reddish brown, pungent, 1/2in. to 3/4in. long; side
prickles copious, spreading, lanceolate, curved, 1/4in. long.
Mexico, 1869.

=A. Salmiana= (Prince Salm-Dyck's).* _fl._ greenish yellow, 4in.
long; panicle thyrsoid, 6ft. to 8ft. long, with erecto-patent
branches and flowers in dense clusters; scape, exclusive of the
panicle, 20ft. high. _l._ twelve to thirty in a dense rosette,
which is often 5ft. to 6ft. broad, oblanceolate-spathulate, 2ft. to
4ft. long, 4in. to 6in. broad above the middle, a dull, slightly
glaucous green; face more or less concave; terminal spine 1-1/2in.
to 2in. long, hard and pungent; side prickles 1/4in. long, chestnut
brown, hooked up or down. Mexico, 1860. SYNS. _A. atrovirens_, _A.
Jacobiana_, _A. tehuacensis_.

=A. S. latissima= (very broad). _l._ 2ft. to 3ft. long, by 8in. to
9in. broad above the middle.

=A. Sartorii= (Sartor's). _fl._ greenish, 1-1/2in. long; pedicels
very short, in a dense spike about 3ft. long, 5in. to 6in. broad
when expanded; scape 3ft. to 4ft. long, the green linear ascending
bracts 2in. to 4in. long. _l._ thirty to forty spaced out in a
loose rosette, ensiform, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 3in. broad at the
middle, bright green, with a pale band down the middle; face flat;
terminal spine small, not pungent; side prickles minute, crowded,
spreading, tipped with red-brown. Caudex 1ft. to 2ft. long,
sometimes forked. SYNS. _A. cæspitosa_, _A. Noackii_, _A. pendula_.

=A. schidigera= (spine-bearing).* _fl._ almost identical with _A.
filifera_. _l._ fifty to eighty in a dense sessile rosette, stiff,
ensiform, 12in. to 15in. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad at the middle,
similar in colour and texture to those of _A. filifera_, but the
grey marginal border, and splitting off into flat shavings, not
mere threads.

=A. Schnittspahni= (Schnittspahn's). Referred to _A. Scolymus_.

=A. Scolymus= (Scolymus). _fl._ greenish yellow, 2-1/2in. to
3in. long; branches few, with the flowers at the end in very
dense clusters; scape 14ft. to 16ft. high, including the thyrsoid
panicle, which is 4ft. long and 2ft. broad, furnished with green
bracts. _l._ twenty to thirty in a dense rosette 1-1/2ft. to
3ft. broad, oblong-spathulate, 9in. to 18in. long, 3in. to 6in.
broad above the middle, very glaucous, abruptly terminating in a
pungent spine, 1in. or more long; side prickles chestnut brown,
about 1/4in. long; edge wavy between them; those on the lower half
smaller and directed downwards. Mexico, 1830. Other so-called
species referred to this are _A. amœna_, _A. crenata_, _A.
cucullata_, _A. Schnittspahni_, and _A. Verschaffeltii_.

=A. S. Saundersii= (Saunders'). _fl._ about 1ft. long; teeth very
large.

=A. Seemanni= (Seemann's).* _fl._ unknown. _l._ twenty in a sessile
rosette, 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. broad, oblong-spathulate, 6in. to 9in.
long, 3in. to 3-1/2in. broad at the middle, narrowed to 2in. above
the dilated base, slightly glaucous; face flat, except close to the
top; terminal spine pungent, dark brown, 1/2in. long; side prickles
large, moderately close, slightly curved upwards or downwards.
Guatemala, 1868. There are two or three garden forms of this
species.

=A. Shawii= (Shaw's).* _fl._ greenish yellow, 3in. to 3-1/2in.
long; panicle thyrsoid, about 2ft. long and broad; clusters
dense, composed of thirty to forty flowers, surrounded by large
foliaceous fleshy bracts. _l._ fifty to sixty, or more, forming a
dense globose sessile rosette 2ft. in diameter, oblong-spathulate,
8in. to 10in. long, 3-1/2in. to 4-1/2in. broad at the middle,
deep green; terminal spine brown, 1in. long, the upper third or
quarter entire, the rest furnished with crowded upcurved lanceolate
prickles, 1/4in. to 1/2in. long. California, 1877. This species is
very rare at present, but is a most distinct and handsome plant.

=A. sobolifera= (soboliferous). _fl._ greenish yellow, 2in. to
2-1/2in. long, in a deltoid panicle, of which the lower panicles
are 9in. to 12in. long, and bear a hundred flowers each; pedicels
1/4in. to 1in. long; scape 8ft. to 10ft. high, 2-1/2in. thick at
the base. _l._ twenty to forty in a shortly caulescent rosette,
oblanceolate-oblong-spathulate, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 3in. to 5in.
broad at the middle, very bright green; face deeply channelled,
the border much raised and tip often recurved; terminal spine
sub-pungent, chestnut brown, 1/2in. long; side prickles distant,
brown, hooked, 1/12in. to 1/8in. long. West Indies, 1678.

=A. striata= (striated-leaved).* _fl._ brownish green outside,
yellow inside, 1in. to 1-1/2in. long; pedicels very short; spike
dense, 2ft. to 3ft. long; bracts linear, shorter than the flowers;
scape 6ft. to 8ft. high, including the spike, furnished with
numerous spreading subulate bracts, which are 2in. to 3in. long.
_l._ 150 to 200 in a dense rosette, linear-ensiform, 2ft. to
2-1/2ft. long, 1/4in. to 3/8in. broad above the deltoid dilated
base, where they are 1/4in. thick and 1in. broad, narrowed
gradually from the top of the base to the point, rigid in texture,
glaucous green; face rather keeled, and the back more so; point
brown, pungent, 1/2in. long; edges minutely serrulate. Mexico, 1856.

=A. s. echinoides= (Echinus-like). _l._ about 6in. long, 1/3in.
broad at the middle; face flat. Mexico, 1869. Dwarfer and stiffer
in habit than the variety _stricta_.

=A. s. recurva= (recurved-leaved). _l._ longer than in the type,
3ft. to 4ft., more or less falcate, narrower, and decidedly convex
on both surfaces.

=A. s. stricta= (upright). _l._ about 1ft. long, very stiff, 1/4in.
broad at the middle, both faces convex. _A. Richardsii_ comes near
to this variety.

=A. tehuacensis= (Tehuan). Synonymous with _A. Salmiana_.

=A. uncinata= (hooked). Synonymous with _A. polyacantha_.

=A. univittata= (one-striped).* _fl._ green, 1-1/2in. long (or
less); spike 10ft. to 12ft. long, 6in. to 7in. thick; pedicels
1/4in. long; scape 4ft. long, exclusive of the spike, its bracts
dense and squarrose. _l._ fifty to eighty in a stemless rosette,
rigid, ensiform, 2ft. to 2-1/2ft. long, 2in. to 3in. broad at the
middle, narrowed slightly downwards, and very gradually upwards,
dull green, with a broad pale band down the face, faintly lineate
on the back; margin bordered by a narrow, continuous grey horny
line, furnished with hooked lanceolate prickles, 1/8in. long, from
1/2in. to 1in. apart; terminal spine brown, pungent, 1in. long.
Mexico, 1830.

=A. utahensis= (Utahan).* _fl._ yellowish, about 1in. long;
peduncles ultimately 1/4in. long; scapes, 5ft. to 7ft. high,
including the 1ft. to 2ft. spike. _l._ stemless, ensiform, 6in. to
12in. long, 1in. to nearly 2in. broad, thick, glaucous; terminal
spine channelled, pungent, about 1in. long; marginal prickles,
1/8in. to 1/2in. long, white, with a darker base. Southern Utah,
1881. This is a true alpine species, perfectly hardy, and of very
easy culture.

=A. Vanderdonckii= (Vanderdonck's). Synonymous with _A. xylacantha_.

=A. variegata= (variegated).* _fl._ greenish, about 1-1/2in. long;
spike about 1ft. long, fifteen to twenty flowered; bracts minute,
deltoid; scape 2ft. long, exclusive of the spike, bearing about
twelve lanceolate bract leaves. _l._ fifteen to eighteen in a
sessile rosette, spreading, ligulate-lanceolate, finally 12in. to
15in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad below the middle, narrowed slightly
downwards, and gradually to the point, deeply channelled down the
face, and copiously spotted with brown on a green ground; edge
hard and tough, very obscurely serrulate. Texas, 1865. This very
desirable variegated species is extremely rare in cultivation.

=A. Verschaffeltii= (Verschaffelt's). Referred to _A. Scolymus_.

=A. Victoriæ Regina= (Queen Victoria).* _l._ forty to fifty in a
sessile rosette, stiff, rigid, lanceolate, 6in. long, 1-1/2in. to
nearly 2in. broad above the dilated base, narrowed gradually to a
rather obtuse point, dead green, margined with a continuous white
border, like that of _A. filifera_, not splitting up into threads,
but leaving distinct white vertical bands where it is pressed
against the neighbouring leaves; terminal spine 1/2in. long,
black, pungent, with usually one or two small spines on each side
of it. Mexico, 1875. This is also much too rare a plant. SYN. _A.
Consideranti_.

=A. virginica= (Virginian).* _fl._ greenish yellow, 1in. to
1-1/4in. long; spike very loose, 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. long; lower
flowers with very short pedicels and lanceolate bracts, about
1/4in. long; scape 2ft. to 3ft. high, exclusive of the spike, with
only a few distant small bract leaves. _l._ ten to fifteen in a
sessile rosette, spreading, lanceolate, 6in. to 12in. long, 1in. to
1-1/2in. broad below the middle, narrowed gradually to the point
and a little downwards; face channelled, undulated, pale green, or
mottled with brown spots, the narrow hard and tough margin very
obscurely serrulate. North America, 1765. _A. conduplicata_ is said
to be allied to this species.