Chapter M: A. S. Salm-Dyck. Monographia generum Aloes et Mesembryanthemi (6)

=A. vivipara= (viviparous).* _fl._ greenish yellow, 1-1/2in. to
2in. long, often changed into bulbillæ, which bear lanceolate
leaves 6in. long before they fall and take root; inflorescence
reaching a height of 20ft. or more, the deltoid panicle about a
quarter of the length of the scape; corymbs on stout peduncles,
pedicels short. _l._ twenty to fifty in a dense, shortly caulescent
rosette, ensiform, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad at the
middle, whence it gradually narrows to the point, dull green when
mature, thin but firm in texture, flat or channelled down the face;
terminal spine firm, brown, 1/2in. long; side teeth brown, hooked,
1/12in. or less long. A very widely spread species throughout
tropics of the Old World, 1731. SYNS. _A. cantula_, _A. bulbifera_.

=A. Warelliana= (Warell's).* _l._ about thirty in a rosette,
oblong-spathulate, 9in. to. 10in. long, 3in. broad above the
middle, narrowed to 2in. above the dilated base; face nearly
flat, green, scarcely at all glaucous, tipped with a strong brown
channelled spine 1in. long; border margined with close, very short
teeth, dark purple when mature. Mexico. A rare but very handsome
species.

=A. Wislizeni= (Wislizenius's). _fl._ 2-1/2in. long; panicle
thyrsoid, its branches 3in. to 6in. long; pedicels very short;
scape 12ft. high. _l._ about thirty in a dense, rigid, sessile
rosette, which is under 2ft. broad, oblong-spathulate, 3in. to
3-1/2in. broad above the middle, very glaucous, concave in the
upper part; terminal spine hard, pungent, dark brown, 1in. long,
and decurrent down the border a little; side prickles 1/8in. long,
dark purple, moderately close, those below the middle of the leaf
smaller and curved downward. Mexico, 1847.

=A. xalapensis.= Synonymous with _A. polyacantha_.

=A. xylacantha= (woody-spined).* _fl._ green, 1-1/2in. long; spike
dense, rather shorter than the scape, its bracts linear-subulate;
scape 5ft. to 6ft. long, its bracts subulate, all ascending,
the lower ones 6in. to 8in. long. _l._ not more than twenty in
a stemless rosette, ensiform, diverging irregularly and often
curving, 1-1/2ft. to 3ft. long, 2in. to 3in. (rarely 4in.) broad at
the middle, narrowed gradually upwards, a slightly glaucous dead
green, marked with a few darker green lines on the back, furnished
with a broad continuous horny border and a few very large irregular
hooked teeth, often united or collected in pairs, 1/2in. to 3/4in.
long, and 3/8in. to 1/2in. broad; terminal spine brown, pungent,
1in. long. Mexico. A long-known, widely-spread, and distinct
species. SYNS. _A. amurensis_ and _A. Vanderdonckii_.

=A. x. hybrida= is a striking dwarf variety with vittate leaves,
and smaller, more crowded deltoid-cuspidate prickles than in
the type. It is also commonly known as _A. x. vittata_ and _A.
perbella_.

=A. yuccæfolia= (Yucca-leaved).* _fl._ greenish yellow, 1-1/4in.
to 1-1/2in. long, in a dense spike 6in. to 15in. long, about
14in. in diameter, sessile, solitary, or in pairs; scape 12ft.
to 20ft. high. _l._ twenty to forty in a dense, shortly-stemmed
rosette, linear, much recurved, 1-1/2ft. to 2-1/2ft. long, 3/4in.
to 1in. broad at the middle; face deeply channelled, dull, rather
glaucous green, with a pale band down the centre, the tip not at
all pungent, the back broadly rounded, edge entire, or obscurely
serrulate. Mexico, 1816. A most distinct species. See Fig. 48.

=AGERATUM= (from _a_, not, and _geras_, old; in reference to the flowers being always clear). SYN. _Cœlestina_. ORD. _Compositæ_. This genus includes several American species, for the most part half-hardy annuals and biennials; or, if the seed is not allowed to ripen, they become perennials. Involucre cup-shaped, of many imbricated linear bracts; receptacle naked. Leaves opposite. A light rich soil is most suitable. Very easily increased by cuttings or seeds; if required true, the former is the only sure method of propagation. To grow large plants for greenhouse decoration, sow the seeds in January, in heat, in sandy soil, barely covering them. As soon as the young plants are large enough, prick them off into thumb pots, and keep in heat till they grow freely, then place them into a cooler house. Transfer into larger pots as soon as the others are full of roots, until they are finally shifted into 10in. or 12in. pots. When these are full of roots, the plants should be watered with liquid manure twice a week, and they soon flower well, making fine specimens. During hot weather especially, they should be well syringed with clear water daily, to keep down red spider. The plants required for bedding (for which purpose the dwarf garden varieties are mostly used) should be raised about the same time, kept in small pots, gradually hardened off, and planted out in the middle or end of June. Cuttings of all the varieties strike readily in heat, treated like most soft-wooded plants, and, when rooted, may be managed as recommended for the seedlings.

=A. Lasseauxii= (Lasseaux's). _fl.-heads_ rose-coloured, small,
disposed in corymbose heads. Summer. _l._ lanceolate-elliptic.
_h._ 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. Monte Video, 1870. A much-branched plant,
requiring greenhouse protection in winter, and suitable for
planting out in summer.

=A. latifolium= (broad-leaved). A synonym of _Piqueria latifolia_.

=A. mexicanum= (Mexican).* The commonest and most useful species,
with a profusion of lilac-blue flowers. _h._ 2ft. Mexico, 1822.
When used for bedding purposes it may be pegged down like the
Verbena, or be allowed to grow its full height. Several very dwarf
varieties of it have originated under cultivation, which supersede
the species for bedding, the best of which are:--CUPID,* rich blue,
very dwarf and floriferous; IMPERIAL DWARF, about 9in. high, with
porcelain blue flowers; LADY JANE, of the same colour, very free;
QUEEN,* silvery grey, about 9in. high; SNOWFLAKE,* white, very free
and showy; SWANLEY BLUE,* very deep blue, 6in. to 8in. high. There
is also a white-flowered variety of _Mexicanum_, which is very
showy; and a variegated form, sometimes grown for the sake of its
pretty foliage.

=AGGLOMERATE, AGGLOMERATED.= Collected into a heap or head.

=AGGLUTINATED.= Glued together.

=AGGREGATE, AGGREGATED.= Gathered together; usually applied to the inflorescence.

=AGLAIA.= (mythological: from Aglaia, the name of one of the Graces, and given to this genus on account of its beauty and the sweet scent of the flowers). ORD. _Meliaceæ_. Stove evergreen trees or shrubs having very small flowers, disposed in branched axillary panicles. Leaves alternate, trifoliate, or impari-pinnate. There are several species, but the undermentioned is the only one worth growing yet introduced. It thrives well in a mixture of turfy loam and peat. Young cuttings ripened at the base, and taken off at a joint, will root in sand under a hand glass, in heat.

=A. odorata= (sweet-scented). _fl._ yellow, small, in axillary
racemes, very sweet-scented, said to be used by the Chinese to
scent their teas. February to May. _l._ pinnate, with five or seven
glossy leaflets. _h._ 8ft. to 10ft. China, 1810.

=AGLAOMORPHA.= _See_ =Polypodium=.

=AGLAONEMA= (from _aglaos_, bright, and _nema_, a thread; supposed to refer to the shining stamens). ORD. _Aroideæ_. Stove perennials, allied to _Arum_, and requiring similar treatment to the stove species of that genus.

=A. commutatum= (changed).* _fl._ white. _l._ greyish-blotched.
_h._ 1ft. Philippines, 1863. SYN. _A. marantæfolium maculatum_.

=A. Mannii= (Mann's).* _fl._, spathe 2in. long, whitish, with
a spadix one-third shorter, bearing white anthers and scarlet
ovaries. _l._ elliptic-oblong, dark green. Stems thickish, erect.
_h._ 1-1/2ft. Victoria Mountains, 1868.

=A. marantæfolium maculatum= (Maranta-leaved, spotted). A synonym
of _A. commutatum_.

=A. pictum= (painted).* _fl._, spathe pale creamy yellow, folded
round so as to appear globular-oblong, opening at top; spadix
projecting, white. August. _l._ elliptic-acuminate, light green,
blotched irregularly with broadish angulate patches of grey. Stems
slender, erect. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Borneo.

=AGNOSTUS.= _See_ =Stenocarpus=.

=AGRAPHIS.= Included under =Scilla= (which _see_).

=AGRIMONIA= (from _argos_, white; the cataract of the eye being white. Once reputed to contain medicinal qualities). Agrimony. ORD. _Rosaceæ_. A genus of hardy herbaceous perennials, with interruptedly pinnate leaves, each accompanied by a pair of stipules united to the petioles. Flowers small, numerous, spiked; calyx turbinate, involucrated by bristles; petals five. They are all of the easiest culture, growing in ordinary soil. Readily increased by root-division. The most showy species in cultivation are described below.

=A. Eupatoria= (Eupatoria). _fl._ yellow, on an elongated spike.
_l._ with elliptic-oblong, coarsely serrated leaflets, odd one
stalked. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Britain.

=A. nepalensis= (Nepaul). _fl._ yellow, on erect, slender racemes.
_l._ with ovate, serrated leaflets, odd one stalked, villous. _h._
1ft. to 2ft. Nepaul, 1820.

=A. odorata= (sweet-scented).* _fl._ yellow; spikes several. _l._
with oblong lanceolate, deeply crenate-toothed leaflets, hairy.
_h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Italy, 1640.

=AGRIMONY.= _See_ =Agrimonia=.

=AGRIOTES.= _See_ =Wireworm=.

=AGROSTEMMA= (from _agros_, a field, and _stemma_, a crown; alluding to the beauty of the flowers, which were formerly made into crowns or garlands). Rose Campion. ORD. _Caryophyllaceæ_. Hardy evergreen perennials and annuals, with broadish leaves, and one-flowered peduncles. Of easy culture, and well adapted for borders. They will all grow freely in common garden soil. Increased by division of the roots, and seed. _A. cœli-rosa_, and _A. flos-Jovis_ are, perhaps, species of _Lychnis_, but the generic name which we have adopted is the most common one. All the species of this genus are exceedingly pretty free-flowering plants, and both annuals and perennials are well worth growing.

=A. cœli-rosa= (rose of Heaven).* _fl._ delicate rose, white, or
bright purple, solitary, terminal. Summer. Levant, &c., 1713. An
annual species about 1ft. high, not tomentose; should be grown in
patches. Sow the seed in April.

=A. c.-r. fimbriata= (fimbriate). A form having fimbriated petals.
Known also as _nana_. _h._ 9in. See Fig. 49.

=A. c.-r. purpurea= (purple).* A very pretty form, having dark
purple flowers, and compact habit. See Fig. 50.

=A. coronaria= (crowned).* _fl._ white, with the middle red; petals
emarginate, crowned, serrated; peduncles elongated, one-flowered.
July. _l._ lanceolate, very broad, leathery; plant woolly
throughout. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. South Europe, 1596. This species is
admirably adapted for naturalising on dry hill sides, and in the
wild garden. There are several varieties seen in gardens with
a great diversity of colour, including dark crimson, white, and
sometimes double flowers. See Fig. 51.

=A. flos-Jovis.=* Flower of Jove. _fl._ purple or scarlet, in
umbellate heads; peduncles short, rather branched. July. _l._
lanceolate, stem-clasping, silky, tomentose. _h._ 1-1/2ft.
Switzerland, 1726. Plant white from tomentum. See Fig. 52.

=AGROSTIS= (from _agros_, a field; the Greek name for a kind of grass). Bent Grass. ORD. _Gramineæ_. Annual or perennial grasses. Panicle loose; spikelets compressed. Several of the species are very effective, and well worth growing; and the spikes are pretty objects, when dried, for window vases, &c. They are of easy culture, in ordinary garden soil. Sow seeds during spring in the open border, in tufts, among ferns, &c., or in pots for decorative purposes.

=A. elegans= (elegant). _h._ 1ft. Russia, 1834.

=A. nebulosa= (cloud).* Cloud Grass. _fl._ panicles resemble, when
developed, a cloud resting over the ground. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Very
light and elegant. Annual. See Fig. 53.

=A. pulchella= (pretty).* Dwarfer, and with a more rigid habit than
_A. nebulosa_. It is, nevertheless, a most graceful plant, and
valuable for bouquet making, and for winter decorative purposes.
_h._ 6in. to 12in. Russia. Annual.

=A. spica-venti= (windward-spiked). _fl._ panicle large, silky
looking, loosely spreading. England. Annual.

=AGROTIS.= _See_ =Pot-herb Moths= and =Turnip Moth=.

=AILANTUS= (from _ailanto_, referring to its lofty growth). Tree of Heaven. ORD. _Xanthoxylaceæ_. Tall deciduous trees. The stove species will grow freely in a mixture of loam and peat; and the best way to increase these is by pieces of the roots, planted in a pot with their points above the ground, and placed in a hotbed, where they will soon make fine plants.

=A. excelsa= (tall). _fl._ whitish green, disposed similar to the
following. _l._ abruptly pinnate, 3ft. long, with ten to fourteen
pairs of leaflets coarsely toothed at the base, without glands.
_h._ 66ft. India, 1800. A stove tree.

=A. glandulosa= (glandulous).* _fl._ whitish green, disposed
in large branched, terminal, fascicled panicles, exhaling a
disagreeable smell. August. _l._ impari-pinnate; leaflets coarsely
toothed at the base with glands. (The leaves on vigorous young
trees are sometimes 6ft. in length.) _h._ 60ft. China, 1751. This
tree grows with great rapidity for the first ten or twelve years,
in favourable situations, afterwards its growth is much slower. It
is quite hardy, and thrives in almost any soil, though one that is
light and somewhat humid, and a sheltered situation, suits it best.
It is a very desirable tree for plantations, or to stand singly on
lawns, and is easily increased by slips of the roots.

=AINSLÆA= (in honour of Dr. Whitelaw Ainslie, author of a work on Indian drugs). ORD. _Compositæ_. Herbaceous perennials, of recent introduction. Although, no doubt, both species will prove tolerably hardy, they should have slight protection during winter. They thrive in light rich soil. Propagated by divisions of the root.

=A. aptera= (wingless). _fl.-head_ purple, disposed in an elongated
spike-like panicle. _l._ deeply cordate, sinuately toothed;
petioles wingless, whence the name. Sikkim Himalayas, 1882.

=A. Walkeræ= (Mrs. Walker's).* _fl.-heads_ slender, distant,
shortly stalked, borne in erect or somewhat nodding racemes; the
white corolla-lobes and the red purple anthers make a pretty
contrast. _h._ about 1ft. Hong Kong, 1875. A very rare and graceful
species.

=AIR.= Pure atmospheric air is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and a very small quantity of carbonic acid gas, all of which are essential to the growth of plants. Air-giving is a term used by gardeners to lessen the temperature of a greenhouse, or to equalise it with that outside. _See_ =Ventilation=.

=AIRA= (from _aira_, applied by the Greeks to _Lolium temulentum_). Hair Grass. ORD. _Gramineæ_. Chiefly hardy grasses, of agricultural value. Panicle loose; spikelet compressed, with two perfect flowers, and sometimes a neuter. Of easy culture, in ordinary garden soil. Sow seeds in spring.

=A. flexuosa= (waved).* The Waved Hair Grass. _fl._ shining
brown; panicle erect, spreading, with waved angular branches and
flower-stalks. _l._ short. Stem upwards of 1ft. high, erect,
smooth. England. A very pretty and graceful perennial.

=A. pulchella= (pretty).* _fl._ panicles loose, very delicate
and graceful. _l._ very short. _h._ 6in. to 8in. South Europe.
An elegant plant, with tufted filiform stems. One of the best of
dwarf-growing ornamental grasses. See Fig. 54.

=AIR-PLANT.= _See_ =Aerides=, also =Epiphytes=.

=AITONIA= (in honour of W. Aiton, once Head Gardener at Kew). ORD. _Meliaceæ_. A small and rather interesting greenhouse evergreen shrub from the Cape of Good Hope, and thriving well in an equal mixture of sandy loam and peat. Young cuttings will root in sand, under a bell glass, with bottom heat. The cuttings must not be put in very close together, and the glass should be wiped frequently, as they are apt to damp off.

=A. capensis= (Cape). _fl._ pink; petals four, shorter than the
projecting stamens. July. _h._ 2ft. 1777.

=AIZOON= (from _aei_, always, and _zoos_, alive; tenacious of life). ORD. _Portulacaceæ_. Greenhouse annuals, biennials, or evergreen shrubs. Flowers apetalous; calyx five-cleft, coloured on the inner surface. The undermentioned species is the only one worth growing. It requires no shade, a dry atmosphere, and light sandy soil. Propagated by seeds and cuttings.

=A. sarmentosum= (sarmentose). _fl._ greenish, sessile. Summer.
_l._ opposite, linear-filiform, rather connate, glabrous; branches
rather villous, three-flowered at the apex, the two lateral flowers
are bracteated, and spring from the sides of the middle one.
Sub-shrub, erect, diffuse, glabrous, branched. South Africa, 1862.

=AJAVA SEED.= _See_ =Ptychotis=.

=AJAX MAXIMUS.= _See_ =Narcissus=.

=AJOWAN.= _See_ =Ptychotis=.

=AJUGA= (from _a_, not, and _zugon_, a yoke; in reference to the calyx being equal, not bilabiate). Bugle. ORD. _Labiatæ_. Hardy annual or perennial herbaceous plants, usually procumbent or ascending, sometimes stoloniferous. Whorls two or many flowered, dense, sometimes all axillary, when the floral leaves conform to those of the stem; sometimes the superior whorls are approximate into spikes, then the floral leaves are small, and of a different form from the stem ones. All the species are of easy cultivation in ordinary garden soil. Perennials increased by divisions, or by seeds sown in the open border, during spring or autumn. The seeds of annual kinds may be sown in the open border in spring, where they are intended to remain.

=A. alpina= (alpine). Synonymous with _A. genevensis_.

=A. australis= (southern). _fl._ blue; whorls six or more flowered;
lower whorls remote, upper ones sub-spicate, floral leaves similar
to the stem ones, exceeding the flowers. May to July. _l._
narrow-oblong, narrowed at the base, quite entire or sinuated,
thickish, rather villous. Stem ascending, or erect. _h._ 6in. New
Holland, 1822. Perennial.

=A. Chamæpitys= (ground-pine). _fl._ yellow, dotted with red,
pubescent outside; whorls two-flowered; floral leaves similar to
the others, exceeding the flowers. April. _l._ deeply trifid, with
linear, quite entire, or trifid lobes. Stem procumbent at the base,
much branched, beset with long hairs, like the leaves. _h._ about
6in. England (rare). Annual.

=A. genevensis= (Geneva).* _fl._ varying from blue to rose colour
and white; upper whorls spicate, lower ones distant, six or more
flowered. May. _l._ stem ones oblong-elliptic or obovate, narrowed
at the base; lower ones petiolate; floral ones ovate or cuneated;
superior ones scarcely equalling the flowers or shorter, all
usually coarsely toothed, membranaceous, green on both surfaces,
and beset with scattered hairs. Stem erect, pilose. _h._ 6in. to
1ft. Europe. A very variable species, admirably adapted as an
alpine plant, and succeeds best in bog soil, where its roots will
have plenty of room; it increases rapidly. Perennial. SYNS. _A.
alpina_, _A. rugosa_.

=A. orientalis= (oriental).* _fl._ blue; whorls six or more
flowered, distant, or the upper ones are approximate. May. _l._
lower ones large, petiolate; ovate, coarsely and sinuately toothed,
narrowed at the base; floral ones sessile, broad ovate, deeply
lobed or toothed, exceeding the flowers. Stem ascending, pilosely
woolly. _h._ 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. Eastern Europe, 1732. This species
should be grown in a dry, sunny spot.

=A. pyramidalis= (pyramidal).* _fl._ blue or purple; whorls
many-flowered, upper ones or all spicate. May and June. _l._
stem ones approximate, scarcely petiolate, obovate; floral ones
broad-ovate, clasping the flowers, tetragonally pyramidate; the
upper ones often coloured, all quite entire or obscurely sinuated.
Stem erect. _h._ 6in. Scotland. Perennial. Of this there are
several handsome garden varieties.

=A. reptans= (creeping).* _fl._ varying from blue to rose-colour;
lower whorls remote; upper ones spicate, six to twenty flowered.
May. _l._ ovate or obovate, quite entire or sinuated, and are, as
well as the stem, nearly glabrous; radical one petiolate, stem ones
nearly sessile. Stem creeping. The variegated and darkest leaved
forms of this are superior to the type for horticultural purposes.
Britain. Perennial. See Fig. 55.

=A. rugosa= (wrinkled). Synonymous with _A. genevensis_.

=AKEBIA= (its Japanese name). SYN. _Rajania_. ORD. _Lardizabalaceæ_. A pretty twining shrub, succeeding well in the south-western counties of England, or in Scotland, trained to a trellis, or rambling over other shrubs in the open; but, when so grown, it requires the protection of a mat in winter. It makes an excellent twiner for the cool greenhouse. Sandy loam, leaf soil, and peat are most suitable for its culture. Increased by root divisions and cuttings.

=A. quinata= (five-leafletted).* _fl._ purplish brown, small,
in axillary racemes, very fragrant. March. _l._ on very slender
petioles, and palmately divided into usually five distinct
petiolulate oval or oblong emarginate leaflets, the bottom pair
smallest. _h._ 10ft. Chusan, 1845.

=AKEE-TREE.= _See_ =Blighia sapida=.

=ALA.= A lateral petal of a papilionaceous flower.

=ALANGIACEÆ.= A very small order of trees or shrubs, usually with inconspicuous flowers, in axillary fascicles. Fruit succulent, eatable. The two genera best known in this country are _Alangium_ and _Nyssa_.

=ALANGIUM= (from _Alangi_, the Malabar name of the first species). ORD. _Alangiaceæ_. Very showy stove evergreen trees, with alternate, exstipulate, entire leaves. Flowers few, sessile, in axillary fascicles; calyx campanulate; petals linear, spreadingly reflexed. They thrive well in a mixture of loam and peat, or any light rich soil. Cuttings root readily if planted in a pot of sand, with a hand glass placed over them, in heat.

=A. decapetalum= (ten-petaled).* _fl._ pale purple, with a
grateful scent, solitary, or two to three together in the axils
of the leaves; petals ten or twelve. June. _l._ alternate,
oblong-lanceolate, quite entire; branches glabrous, spinescent.
_h._ 30ft. Malabar, 1779.

=A. hexapetalum= (six-petaled). _fl._ purple, six-petaled. _l._
ovate-lanceolate, acuminated, velvety beneath. _h._ 30ft. Malabar,
1823.

=ALATUS.= Furnished with a membranous or thin wing or expansion.

=ALBESCENT.= Growing white.

=ALBICANT.= Growing whitish.

=ALBINISM.= A pale condition due to the absence of chlorophyl.

=ALBIZZIA= (named after an Italian). ORD. _Leguminosæ_. Ornamental greenhouse or hardy trees or shrubs. For culture, _see_ =Acacia=, to which they are often referred.

=A. Julibrissin= (Julibrissin). _fl._ white; heads pedunculate,
forming a terminal somewhat corymbose panicle. August. _l._ with
eight to twelve pairs of pinnæ, each pinna bearing about thirty
pairs of dimidiate-oblong, acute, rather ciliated leaflets. _h._
30ft. to 40ft. Hardy. Levant, 1745. SYN. _A. Nemu_.

=A. lophantha= (crest-flowered).* _fl._ yellow; racemes
ovate-oblong, axillary, twin. May. _l._ with eight to ten pairs of
pinnæ, each pinna bearing twenty-five to thirty pairs of linear,
bluntish leaflets; petioles and calyces clothed with velvety down.
_h._ 6ft. to 10ft. New Holland, 1803. A very distinct unarmed
greenhouse species, and one of the best for window gardening.

=A. Nemu.= A synonym of _A. Julibrissin_.

=ALBUCA= (from _albicans_, or _albus_, white; the colour of the earlier species). ORD. _Liliaceæ_. A rather extensive genus of Cape of Good Hope bulbs, requiring ordinary greenhouse culture. Closely allied to _Ornithogalum_. Perianth six-cleft, three outer segments spreading; three inner ones closed over the stamens. They, however, succeed admirably when grown in a warm sunny position out of doors, if covered with a hand glass, or litter, during winter. A light loamy soil, with leaf mould and sand, suits them well. Propagated by offsets from the old bulb, or seeds. There are but few species worthy of cultivation.

=A. angolensis= (Angolan). _fl._ yellowish, large, in cylindrical
racemes 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. long. _l._ linear-lorate, sub-erect,
fleshy, pale green, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long. _h._ 3ft. Angola.

=A. aurea= (yellow).* _fl._ pale yellow, upright; peduncle very
long, erect, spreading. June. _l._ linear-lanceolate, flat. _h._
2ft. 1818.

=A. fastigiata= (peaked).* _fl._ white; peduncle very long,
spreading. May. _l._ linear, flattish, longer than the scape. _h._
1-1/2ft. 1774.

=A. flaccida= (weak). _fl._ pale yellow, with a green keel,
drooping, six to eight in a loose raceme; peduncles spreading at
right angles. July. _l._ lanceolate-linear, obliquely bent. _h._
2ft. 1791.

=A. Nelsoni= (Nelson's).* _fl._, perianth, 1-1/2in. long,
ascending, white, with a dull red stripe down the back of each
segment; scape stout, 4ft. to 5ft. high. Summer. _l._ bright green,
very concave at the basal part, nearly flat in the upper part, 3ft.
to 3-1/2ft. long, l-1/4in. to 2-1/4in. broad, at about one-third
the way up, whence they are gradually narrowed to an acute point.
Natal, 1880. This very handsome species is the best of the genus.

=ALBUMEN.= The substance under the inner coat of the testa of seeds, surrounding the embryo. It is sometimes absent.

=ALBUMINOUS.= Furnished with albumen.

=ALBURNUM.= The white wood of a tree; the younger wood, not choked up by sedimentary deposit, and therefore permeable to fluids.

=ALCHEMILLA= (from _Alkemelyeh_, the Arabic name of one of the species). Lady's Mantle. ORD. _Rosaceæ_. Hardy herbaceous perennials, with corymbose, apetalous flowers; calyx tubular, with the tube rather contracted at the apex. Leaves palmate or lobed. Of very easy culture, in common, but well drained soil. They are well adapted for rockwork and planting near the front of borders. Easily increased by divisions of the roots, and seeds. All here described are hardy, except _A. sibbaldiæfolia_.

=A. alpina= (alpine).* _fl._ greenish, small; corymbose. June. _l._
digitate; leaflets five to seven, lanceolate-cuneated, obtuse,
serrated, clothed with white satiny down beneath. _h._ 6in. Britain.

=A. pubescens= (pubescent). _fl._ greenish; corymbs terminal,
crowded, clothed with a coating of long weak hairs. June. _l._
roundish-reniform, seven-lobed, toothed, silky beneath. _h._ 6in.
to 8in. Caucasus (Higher), 1813.

=A. sericea= (silky).* _fl._ greenish, corymbose. June. _l._
digitate; leaflets seven, lanceolate-obovate, obtuse, connected at
the base, serrated at the apex, clothed with satiny down beneath.
_h._ about 6in. Caucasus, 1813. Much larger in every part than _A.
alpina_, to which it is closely allied.

=A. Sibbaldiæfolia= (Sibbaldia-leaved). _fl._ white, conglomerate;
stem corymbosely many-flowered at the apex. July. _l._ deeply
three-parted, clothed with adpressed pubescence beneath; segments
deeply serrated, lateral ones bifid. _h._ 6in. Mexico, 1823. A
greenhouse species, which should be grown in small well-drained
pots, with a mixture of leaf soil and sandy loam.

=ALDEA.= A synonym of =Phacelia= (which _see_).

=ALDER.= _See_ =Alnus=.

=ALETRIS= (from _aletron_, meal; referring to the powdery appearance of the whole plant). The American Star Grass. SYN. _Tritonia_. ORD. _Hæmodoraceæ_. Interesting hardy herbaceous perennials, closely allied to the _Amaryllids_. Perianth half-inferior, tubular; limb spreading or funnel-shaped; stamens inserted at base of perianth segments, filaments flat. They delight in a sunny but damp situation, with peat, leaf mould, and sand, and are slowly increased by division of the roots.

=A. aurea= (golden).* _fl._ yellow, bell-shaped. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft.
North America, 1811. Similar in habit to _A. farinosa_.

=A. capensis= (Cape). _See_ =Veltheimia viridifolia=.

=A. farinosa= (mealy).* _fl._ white, bell-shaped, in a terminal
spiked raceme, upon stems 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. high. _l._ lanceolate,
ribbed. North America, 1768. A pretty species, forming a spreading
tuft, and possessing intensely bitter properties.

=ALEURITES= (from the Greek word signifying floury; all the parts of the plant seeming to be dusted with a farinaceous substance). ORD. _Euphorbiaceæ_. A handsome stove evergreen tree, with small, white, clustered flowers. Leaves alternate, stalked, exstipulate. Of easy culture in a loamy soil. Ripe cuttings, with their leaves untouched, root readily in sand, under a hand-glass.

=A. triloba= (three-lobed).* Candleberry Tree. _l._ three-lobed,
4in. to 8in. long. _h._ 30ft. to 40ft. Moluccas and South Pacific
Islands, 1793.

=ALEXANDERS.= _See_ =Smyrnium=.

=ALEXANDRIAN LAUREL.= _See_ =Ruscus racemosus=.

=ALGAROBA BEAN, or CAROB.= _See_ =Ceratonia=.

=ALGAROBIA.= Included under =Prosopis= (which _see_).

=ALHAGI= (its Arabian name). ORD. _Leguminosæ_. Manna Tree. Greenhouse shrubs or sub-shrubs, with simple leaves, and minute stipulas. Flowers few, in clusters. They thrive in pots filled with a mixture of sand, loam, and peat. Young cuttings will root in sand, with a bell glass placed over them, in heat; but by seeds, if they can be procured, sown in a hotbed, is a preferable mode of increasing the plants. They may be placed out of doors during the summer months.

=A. camelorum= (camels). _fl._ red, few, disposed in racemes along
the peduncles. July. _l._ lanceolate, obtuse, simple; stipulas
minute. Stem herbaceous. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Caucasus, 1816.

=A. maurorum= (Moors'). _fl._ purple in the middle, and reddish
about the edges, disposed in racemes along the axillary, spinose
peduncles. July. _l._ obovate-oblong, simple; spines strong, and
longer than those of the above species. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Egypt,
&c. The Manna is a natural exudation from the branches and leaves
of this shrub, which takes place only in very hot weather.

=ALIBERTIA= (in honour of M. Alibert, a celebrated French chemist, author of "Traite des Fievres Attaxiques," wherein he mentions the effects of Peruvian bark). ORD. _Cinchonaceæ_. A small stove evergreen tree, very ornamental when in flower. Flowers solitary or fascicled, diœcious; corolla leathery, tubular. A mixture of loam and peat is the best soil. Cuttings strike root freely, in a similar kind of soil, under a hand glass, in a moist heat.

=A. edulis= (edible). _fl._ cream-coloured, solitary or in
fascicles, terminating the branches, almost sessile. June. _fr._
edible. _l._ opposite, leathery, oblong, acuminated, shining above,
and bearded in the axils of the veins beneath. _h._ 12ft. Guiana,
1823.

=ALICANT SODA.= _See_ =Salsola=.

=ALISMA.= (from _alis_, the Celtic word for water). Water Plantain. SYN. _Actinocarpus_. ORD. _Alismaceæ_. A genus entirely composed of hardy aquatic species. Flowers three-petalled. Leaves parallel-veined. Increased by division or seeds. The latter should be sown in a pot immersed in water, filled with loam, peat, and sand, and the former root freely in a moist loamy soil. The British species are most easily grown.

=A. natans= (floating).* _fl._ white; peduncles simple. July.
_l._ elliptical-obtuse; stem ones floating, on long stalks,
scarcely nerved; those at the base of the plant are long,
linear-lanceolate, membranous scales, or abortive root leaves.
North Wales and Cumberland, but very rare; abundant in other parts
of Europe. See Fig. 56.

=A. Plantago= (plantain).* _fl._ delicate pale rose coloured; scape
branched upwards. July. _l._ ovate, acute, all radical, on long
stalks; branches all whorled, bracteated, compound. _h._ 2ft. to
3ft. Britain. A very handsome aquatic for naturalising. See Fig. 57.

=A. P. lanceolata= (lance-shaped leaves). _fl._ pure white. July.
_l._ lanceolate. Britain.

=A. ranunculoides= (ranunculus-like). In general appearance very
like the last named species, but smaller. Britain.

=ALISMACEÆ.= A small order of aquatic or marsh plants, with three-petaled flowers, on leafless scapes, and simple radical leaves. The genera best known are _Alisma_ and _Sagittaria_.

=ALKANET.= _See_ =Anchusa tinctoria=.

=ALLAMANDA= (named in memory of Dr. Allamand, of Leyden, who first communicated seeds of this genus to Linnæus). ORD. _Apocynaceæ_. Elegant climbing evergreen stove plants. Peduncles terminal and many-flowered; corolla funnel-shaped, with a narrow tube, gamopetalous, large, inflated, five-cleft at the apex. Leaves verticillate. This genus differs from all others of the same order, in the figure of the corolla. Of comparatively easy culture. To obtain their beauty of foliage and flowers, the shoots should be tied to wires placed within 8in. or 9in. of the glass that forms the roof of the structure in which the plants are growing. Trained in this way, and the shoots allowed to ramble in a somewhat natural manner, the effect, when the plants are in flower, is grander and more pleasing in every respect than when the shoots are tied to a formal trellis, of whatever shape. When thoroughly established, they succeed admirably in a compost of three parts good fibry loam, and one part wood charcoal or coarse river sand, with some rotten cow manure added. When potting the plants, make the fresh compost firm round the old balls of soil, and do not fill the pots too full; leave room for plenty of water, as, when in active growth, they require a liberal daily supply. They must be pruned annually in January or February, cutting the previous year's shoots back to within a joint or two of the old wood. Allamandas should be exposed to the light as much as possible at all seasons of the year. In winter months they require but little water, but the drainage must always be perfect. They are remarkably free from insect attacks of any kind. It may be also observed that the temperature should never fall below 55deg. This genus is easily propagated by cuttings, which will root at any time of the year in a bottom heat of from 70deg. to 80deg. The usual time is, however, in spring, when the old plants are pruned back. Choose the tops of the shoots, retaining two or three joints to each cutting; place these in a compost of sand and peat or leaf mould in equal proportions, singly, in small pots. Press the soil firmly around each cutting, and, when all are inserted, give a good watering, and plunge the pots in the propagating bed. Attend to shading and watering, and in about three weeks' time they will have emitted roots, and started to grow at the tops. The pots should now be raised out of the plunging material, and placed upon the surface thereof, and there allowed to remain two or three weeks longer; when the young roots will have, by this time, filled the little pots, and a shift into the larger ones will be necessary. Return the plants to the propagating bed, but do not plunge them therein. As soon as it is certain that the roots have commenced growth in the fresh soil, pinch the point of each plant that is intended to be grown on a trellis. This will cause the remaining buds to push out fresh shoots; and these, as soon as they have made two joints or whorls of leaves each, should have their points pinched out also. By repotting the plants as often as they fill their pots with roots during the first season of their growth, and pinching the points out of the shoots twice or thrice in the same time, a good foundation will be formed, from which the future specimens will spring. In the case of plants intended to be trained up rafters or pillars, they should not have their points pinched out until they attain to the height where it is desirable they should have more than one shoot, and be repotted as recommended above, for the first year; but, after that, they will require to be repotted only once a year, and this should be done soon after the buds have started to grow afresh in the spring.

=A. Aubletii= (Aublet's).* _fl._ yellow, large. June. _l._ four to
five in a whorl, broad-oblong, acuminated, rather hairy beneath.
Guiana, 1848.

=A. cathartica= (purging).* _fl._ yellow, large. June. _l._ four
in a whorl, obovate, obtuse, acutish, with sub-undulated edges,
glabrous. Guiana, 1785. SYN. _A. Linnæi_.

=A. chelsoni= (Chelsea).* _fl._ yellow, large. Summer. This
splendid plant is least suited of any for trellis training, from
its wood being stiffer and harder, and is therefore best for the
roof of a house; it is one of the best kinds for cutting. Garden
hybrid.

=A. grandiflora= (large-flowered).* _fl._ distinct pale yellow,
rather large, very free bloomer. June. Brazil, 1844.

=A. Linnæi= (Linnæus's). Synonymous with _A. cathartica_.

=A. neriifolia= (oleander-leaved).* _fl._ deep golden yellow,
elegantly streaked with orange, between funnel and bell shaped,
the tube being wide, 1in. long; panicle many-flowered. June. _l._
oblong, on short petioles, acuminate. _h._ 3ft. South America,
1847. Shrub erect, glabrous.

=A. nobilis= (noble).* _fl._ bright yellow, rather deeper tinted in
the throat, large, full circular form, but without streaks or any
other markings. July. _l._ in whorls of four or of three, tapered
to the base, sessile, oblong, abruptly acuminate, membranaceous,
hairy on both surfaces, especially beneath and on the midrib.
Brazil, 1867. One of the best species.

=A. Schottii= (Schott's).* _fl._ yellow, large, throat beautifully
striped with rich brown. September. _l._ oblong, acuminated, four
in a whorl, quite glabrous, on both surfaces. _h._ 10ft. Brazil,
1847. This species is a very strong grower, and suits the roof
system best; it is also a very free bloomer.

=A. verticillata= (whorl-leaved). _fl._ yellow, large. June. _l._
usually six in a whorl, ovate-oblong, obtuse, quite glabrous. South
America, 1812.

=A. violacea= (violet). _fl._ purple. Brazil, 1859.

=ALLANTODIA= (from _allantos_, a sausage; in reference to the cylindrical form of the indusium). ORD. _Filices_. A greenhouse monotypic genus, differing from _Asplenium_ in the dehiscence of the involucre, and it may receive similar treatment to the Spleenworts. Sori dorsal, linear-oblong, attached to the primary veins. Involucre the same shape as the sorus and quite inclosing it, bursting in an irregular line down to the centre.

=A. Brunoniana= (Brown's).* _fronds_ often 1ft. to 2ft. long,
1/2ft. to 1ft. broad; pinnæ 3in. to 6in. long, 1in. broad, entire.
_sori_ confined to the anterior vein of the first fork. Himalayas,
up to 6000ft., &c. SYN. _Asplenium javanicum_.

=ALLARDTIA.= _See_ =Tillandsia=.

=ALLEYS.= Small walks of various widths, but generally 1-1/2ft. or 2ft. wide, and formed in right lines, parallel to the main walks, or borders, sometimes covered with a thin coat of sand, gravel, or shells, or paved with flints, pebbles, &c. Spaces left between beds of seedling plants are generally meant when alleys are referred to.

=ALL-HEAL.= _See_ =Prunella vulgaris=.

=ALLIACEOUS.= Pertaining to the _Garlic_ family.

=ALLIARIA.= _See_ =Sisymbrium=.

=ALLIGATOR APPLE.= _See_ =Anona palustris=.

=ALLIGATOR PEAR.= _See_ =Persea gratissima=.

=ALLIUM= (from _all_, meaning hot or burning; in allusion to the well-known properties of the Onion tribe). Including _Porrum_, _Schœnoprasum_. ORD. _Liliaceæ_. Hardy bulbous plants, with flat or terete radical leaves, and capitate or umbellate flowers, enclosed in a membranous spathe at the summit of a slender, naked, or leafy scape; perianth spreading or campanulate. They are of very easy culture, increasing rapidly by offsets. The little bulbs, which are produced in clusters, may be separated and replanted, in autumn or early spring, about 4in. deep. Seeds are also easily obtainable. These may be sown thinly in light soil, in February or March, where they should remain until the autumn or following spring, when they may be transplanted to their flowering situations. During the growing season, all the attention required will be to keep the plants free of weeds, and place stakes to the tall-growing kinds.

=A. acuminatum= (taper-pointed).* _fl._ deep rose, 1/2in. to 1in.
across, in many-flowered umbels. July and August. _l._ rather
shorter than the stems, very narrow, only about a line wide. _h._
6in. to 10in. North-West America, 1840.

=A. a. rubrum= (red). _fl._ deep red-purple; in other respects like
the type. California.

=A. ascalonicum= (Eschallot). _fl._ purple; umbels globose; scape
rounded. Summer. _l._ subulate. _h._ 9in. Palestine, 1546. For
culture, _see_ =Eschallot=.

=A. azureum= (sky-blue).* _fl._ deep sky-blue, with a dark line
through the middle of each division; umbels dense, globular, longer
than the spathes which envelop them before expanding. Summer. _l._
triangular, from 6in. to 12in. long. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Siberia,
1830. One of the handsomest species grown.

=A. Bidwelliæ= (Mrs. Bidwell's).* _fl._ bright rose, about 1/2in.
across, in few-flowered umbels. July. _l._ narrow, rather longer
than the stem. _h._ 2in. to 3in. Sierra Nevada, 1880. A very
charming little species for the rockery.

=A. Breweri= (Brewer's).* _fl._ deep rose, nearly or quite 1in.
across, in few-flowered umbels. July. _l._ much longer than the
flower-stem, 1/4in. or more broad. _h._ 1in. to 3in. California,
1882.

=A. Cepa= (common Onion). _fl._ white; scape ventricose, longer
than the leaves. June, July. _l._ fistular, rounded. _h._ 3ft. For
culture, _see_ =Onion=.

=A. C. aggregatum.= Aggregated, Tree, or Potato Onion. _See_
=Onion=.

=A. cœruleum= (blue-flowered).* _fl._ blue, in large compact
globular heads. June. _h._ 8in. Russia, 1840. Very distinct.

=A. Douglasii= (Douglas'). Synonymous with _A. unifolium_.

=A. Erdelii= (Erdel's). _fl._ white, keeled with green, in compact
umbels. _h._ 6in. Palestine, 1879. A rare but pretty species, and
should be planted in a warm position on the rockery.

=A. falcifolium= (sickle-leaved).* _fl._ pale rose, 1/2in. to
3/4in. across, in few-flowered umbels. August. _l._ two in number,
thick, broadly linear, falcate. _h._ 2in. to 3in. North-West
America, 1880.

=A. falciforme= (sickle-formed). Probably a variety of _A.
unifolium_, with pure white flowers, in several-flowered umbels.
_h._ 6in. California, 1882.

=A. flavum= (golden). _fl._ yellow, bell-shaped, and somewhat
drooping, in pretty umbels; scape leafy at the base. _l._ round,
not hollow, flattish above the base. _h._ about 1ft. Italy, 1759.
A slender species.

=A. fragrans.= _See_ =Nothoscordum=.

=A. karataviense= (Karatavian). _fl._ white, in dense globose
heads. May. _l._ very broad, flat, glaucous, sometimes variegated.
_h._ 6in. Turkestan, 1878.

=A. Macnabianum= (MacNab's).* _fl._ deep magenta, a colour quite
unique in this family, in large umbels. _l._ nearly as long as the
stem, channelled, about 1/4in. broad. _h._ 1ft. North America.

=A. magicum= (enchanting). Synonymous with _A. nigrum_.

=A. Moly= (Moly).* _fl._ bright yellow, numerous, in compact
umbels. Spring. _l._ few, broadly lanceolate. Stem sub-cylindrical.
_h._ 10in. to 15in. South Europe, 1604. A very old favourite;
bright-flowered and very fine in masses. See Fig. 58.

=A. Murrayanum= (Murray's).* _fl._ rosy purple, in large heads.
_l._ narrow, longer than the stem. _h._ 1ft. North America. A good
variety of _A. acuminatum_.

=A. mutabile= (changeable). _fl._ white, changing to rose, in
many-flowered umbels. July. _l._ shorter than the stem, narrow,
channelled. _h._ 12in. to 24in. North America, 1824.

=A. neapolitanum= (Neapolitan).* _fl._ white, with green stamens,
numerous, in a loose umbel, on stems exceeding the leaves in
length; pedicels much longer than the flowers. Early summer. _l._
two or three, sheathing the flower stem, strap-shaped, about 1in.
across. _h._ 15in. to 18in. South Europe, 1823. Probably the most
ornamental white-flowered species.

=A. nevadense= (Sierra Nevada). _fl._ white, or pale rose, about
1/2in. across, in several-flowered umbels. July. _l._ flat, rather
longer than the stem, about 1/4in. wide. _h._ 3in. to 6in. Sierra
Nevada and Utah, 1882.

=A. nigrum= (blackish).* _fl._ dull violet, or whitish, with a
green vein, very numerous, in a large umbel. Summer. _l._ thick,
broadly lanceolate, acute, ciliated, toothed at the edges, at first
erect and glaucescent, afterwards green and spreading, much shorter
than the stem. _h._ 2-1/2ft. to 3-1/4ft. South of Europe. Very
vigorous and free flowering. SYN. _A. magicum_.

=A. paradoxum= (wonderful). _fl._ white, gracefully pendulous,
borne on long footstalks springing from little nests of yellow
bulbils. Spring. _l._ one or two, as long as the scape,
linear-lanceolate, acute, keeled, striated, smooth, 1/4in. broad,
drooping and recurved. _h._ 9in. to 14in. Siberia, 1823.

=A. pedemontanum= (Piedmont).* _fl._ rosy-purple, large,
bell-shaped, in large, graceful drooping clusters. July. _l._
lanceolate, shorter than the stem. Piedmont, 1817. A neat little
plant for rockwork, or warm border. One of the handsomest species
grown.

=A. reticulatum= (netted). _fl._ varying from pink to white.
Summer. _l._ narrow, or almost filiform, shorter than the stem.
_h._ 9in. to 15in. North-West America, 1882. A rare species.

=A. r. attenuifolium= (attenuate-leaved).* This may be regarded as
an extremely handsome white-flowered variety. North-West America.

=A. roseum= (rose-coloured).* _fl._ pale lilac-rose, large, in
umbels of ten or twelve; stems round, rather longer than the
leaves. Summer. _l._ strap-shaped, channelled, rolled inwards at
the top, not hairy. _h._ 12in. to 16in. South Europe, 1752.

=A. sativum= (cultivated). Garlic. _fl._ white; umbel bulbiferous.
Summer. _l._ flat. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Sicily, 1548. For culture, _see_
=Garlic=.

=A. schœnoprasum= (rush-leaved onion). Chives. _fl._ purple; umbel
many-flowered, globose, without bulbils. June and July. _l._
cylindrical, somewhat tapering towards the point; stem with one
leaf, or naked. _h._ 1ft. England. For cultivation, _see_ =Chives=.

=A. Scorodoprasum.= Rocambole; Sand Leek. _fl._, perianth
1/3in. long, the segments red-purple, with white margins; head
loose-flowered, with purple bulbils; scape slender. May to August.
_l._ 6in. to 8in. long, flat, keeled, the edges scabrid. _h._ 3ft.
Europe (Britain), 1596. _See also_ =Rocambole=.

=A. sphærocephalum= (globe-headed).* _fl._ densely packed
in a subspherical head; in a bud state the upper ones are
reddish-purple, the lower green. June. _l._ narrow, shorter than
the long terete stems. _h._ 1-1/2ft. to 2-1/2ft. South Europe, 1759.

=A. stramineum= (straw-coloured). _fl._ yellow, in dense globular
umbels. July. _l._ narrow, shorter than the stems. _h._ 1-1/2ft. to
2ft. Siberia.

=A. striatum= (striated). _See_ =Nothoscordum=.

=A. triquetrum= (three-cornered). _fl._ white, somewhat
bell-shaped, with a narrow streak of pure green down each petal, in
a loose, slightly drooping umbel, on erect triangular stems shorter
than the leaves. Summer. _l._ green, broadly strap-shaped, keeled
in a triangular manner, sometimes very long. _h._ 12in. to 18in.
South Europe, 1789.

=A. unifolium= (one-leaved). _fl._ bright rose. July. _h._ 1ft.
to 2ft. California, 1873. A handsome species, from California,
resembling _A. roseum_, but differing from all known species by the
circumstance that its bulbs are developed at a distance from each
other, and are connected by a thread-like rhizome, 1/2in. to 1in.
long. SYN. _A. Douglasii_.

=A. ursinum= (bear). Broad-leaved Garlic; Ramsons. _fl._ pure
white, with acute perianth segments; umbel level at top; scape
triangular. Summer. _l._ one or two, radical, ovate-lanceolate,
stalked, large, bright green. _h._ 1ft. Britain. See Fig. 59.

=A. validum= (strong). _fl._ pure white or rose-coloured, in large,
rather drooping umbels. Summer. _l._ 1/4in. to 1/2in. broad, nearly
as long as the stem. _h._ 12in. to 30in. Oregon and California,
1881. A pretty species.

=A. Victorialis= (Victoria's). _fl._ greenish-white, in
many-flowered, spicate umbels. May. _l._ broadly ovate-oblong,
channelled, shorter than the stem. _h._ 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. Southern
and Eastern Europe, 1739. Conspicuous from its broad leaves. Rare.

=ALLOBROGIA.= A synonym of =Paradisia= (which _see_).

=ALLOCHLAMYS.= A synonym of =Pleuropetalum= (which _see_).

=ALLOPHYLLUS.= A synonym of =Schmidelia= (which _see_).

=ALLOPLECTUS= (from _allos_, diverse, and _pleco_, to plait; the calyx appears as if it was plaited in diverse directions). ORD. _Gesneraceæ_. Very handsome stove evergreen shrubs. Corolla tubular or club-shaped, straightish; calyx coloured. Leaves opposite, one in each pair smaller than the other, petiolate, fleshy, scattered or decumbent, or erect, the under surface generally reddish; branches opposite. For cultivation, _see_ =Gesnera=.

=A. bicolor= (two-coloured). _fl._ yellow, purple; corolla pilose;
pedicels axillary, one-flowered. June. _l._ ovate, oblong,
acuminate, denticulate, pilose above, downy beneath; branches
tetragonal. _h._ 1ft. New Grenada, 1840. Plant erect, rather woody.

=A. capitatus= (headed). _fl._ capitate; sepals red, leafy; corolla
silky, ventricose above the middle; peduncles axillary. March.
_l._ large, ovate, serrated, downy, reddish beneath. Stem bluntly
tetragonal, red. _h._ 2ft. South America, 1847.

=A. dichrous= (two-coloured). _fl._ purple, yellow, axillary,
crowded, nearly sessile. _l._ ovate-lanceolate, quite entire,
pubescent. Brazil, 1845. A climber.

=A. peltatus= (peltate-leaved).* _fl._ whitish, about 2in. long, in
axillary tufts. August. _l._ opposite, one is 1in. to 2in. long,
and the other 6in. to 9in. long, and 2in. wide, oblong, shortly
acuminate, rounded, peltate at the base, and raised on stout
footstalks, 1in. to 2in. long. _h._ 1ft. Costa Rica, 1877.

=A. repens= (creeping). _fl._ yellow; corolla with curved tube,
four lobed; sepals ovate, spotted; peduncles axillary, solitary.
February. _l._ ovate, rather fleshy, serrate, on short petioles.
St. Martha, 1845. Plant downy; an evergreen trailer.

=A. vittatus= (striped). _fl._, calyx crimson; corolla pale yellow;
terminal and fasciculate, surrounded by vivid red foliaceous
bracts. _l._ large, shortly-stalked, broadly-ovate, of a deep
velvety green, having a broad greyish-green band down the centre,
branching off along the course of the principal veins. Stems erect,
fleshy. Peru, 1870.

=A. zamorensis= (Zamora).* _fl._ yellow; sepals orange-red. _h._
1ft. Columbia, 1875.

=ALLOSORUS.= _See_ =Cryptogramme= and =Pellæa=.

=ALLOTMENT GARDENS.= A system of assigning small portions of land to be cultivated by labourers after their ordinary day's work.

The following are the most important rules to be carried out; but, should occasion arise, other rules must be made to meet particular cases:--

1. Each Allotment should consist of a rood of land (=1/4 acre) to be let yearly at a rent of not more than 10s.

2. The Allotment to be let for one year only, to be re-let to the same occupier, provided his character has been satisfactory during the preceding year.

3. The rent shall be considered due at Michaelmas. If it remains unpaid for one month after that date, the Allotment shall be forfeited.

4. The Allotment to be cultivated solely by spade husbandry, and the same crop shall not be planted on the same part two years in succession.

5. Separate Allotments shall be divided by a space not less than 18in.

6. Any occupier trespassing on his neighbour's Allotment, or in any way interfering or damaging the same, shall not be allowed to hold his Allotment after the expiration of the year.

=ALLSPICE.= _See_ =Calycanthus=.

=ALLSPICE TREE.= _See_ =Pimenta=.

=ALMEIDEA= (in honour of J. R. P. de Almeida, a Brazilian, who was of great assistance to St. Hilaire while travelling in Brazil). ORD. _Rutaceæ_. Stove trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, entire, stalked leaves. Racemes terminal, divided at the apex into compound thyrse-like panicles. The undermentioned species will grow freely in a mixture of loam, sand, and peat. Partly ripened cuttings will root in sand under a hand glass, in heat.

=A. rubra= (red). _fl._ pink; petals very blunt; racemes compound.
September. _l._ lanceolate, acute at base. _h._ 12ft. Brazil, 1849.
Evergreen shrub.

=ALMOND.= _See_ =Amygdalus=.

=ALMOND-LEAVED WILLOW.= _See_ =Salix triandra=.

=ALNUS= (from _al_, near, and _lan_, the bank of a river; general habitat of the genus). The Alder Tree. ORD. _Betulaceæ_. A genus of deciduous trees and shrubs. Flowers monœcious; barren ones in long drooping autumnal catkins, lasting through the winter; fertile ones, produced in spring, in oval catkins, resembling a fir-cone in shape, the fleshy scales of which become indurated and ligneous as they approach maturity. Leaves stalked, roundish, blunt. Propagated usually by seeds, which are gathered towards the end of October; they require to be well dried, in order that the cones do not become mouldy. The seeds are sprinkled lightly on the ground with the slightest possible covering. Towards the end of the year, the seedlings will be about 10in. high. They are then planted in rows 1-1/2ft. apart, and 6in. from each other, where they may remain for two years, after which they can be placed out in the situations where they are intended to stand. Planting is best done in November or March; and, if it is designed to make a plantation of Alder, the young trees should be put in holes, made with an ordinary garden spade, about 9in. deep, and about 4ft. apart. They are also increased, but rarely, by cuttings, by suckers, and by grafting.

=A. cordifolia= (heart-shaped-leaved).* _fl._ greenish-brown. March
and April, before the development of the leaves. _l._ heart-shaped,
acuminate, dark green, and shining. _h._ 15ft. to 50ft. Calabria
and Naples, 1820. A large, very distinct, and handsome round-headed
tree. It grows rapidly in dry soil, and is one of the most
interesting of ornamental trees.

=A. firma= (firm).* _l._ oval lanceolate, acuminate, sharply
serrated, many-nerved. Japan. One of the most distinct of all the
Alders.

=A. glutinosa= (sticky).* _barren catkins_ long, large, and
cylindrical, pendent, their footstalks branched. _fertile
catkins_ small, ovate, with deep red scales. Spring. _l._
roundish-cuneiform, obtuse lobed at the margin, and serrated,
somewhat glutinous, downy in the axils of the nerves beneath.
_h._ 50ft. to 60ft. Britain. The Alder affects moist and damp
situations, and, as it grows quickly, it is a useful tree to plant
in bare situations. It is valuable as a nurse to other trees by the
sea-side. See Fig. 60.

=A. g. aurea= (golden).* Foliage golden colour.

=A. g. incisa= (incised).* Compact form, with leaves quite like
those of common hawthorn. SYN. _A. g. oxyacanthifolia_.

=A. g. laciniata= (cut).* _l._ oblong and pinnatifid, with the
lobes acute. This has elegant drooping branches and fern-like
leaves, and is one of the best.

=A. g. oxyacanthifolia= (sharp-prickled). Synonymous with _A. g.
incisa_.

=A. g. quercifolia= (oak-leaved).* _l._ with a sinuate outline,
like that of the common oak. A very distinct form. The variety
_imperialis_ (=_asplenifolia_) slightly differs in its more or less
lobed or cut foliage; _A. g. variegata_ is a variegated form.

=A. incana= (hoary).* _l._ broadly oval or ovate, rounded at
the base, sharply serrate, whitened, and mostly downy beneath.
_h._ 8ft. to 20ft. North Temperate regions. This affects drier
situations than our native _A. glutinosa_.

=A. viridis= (green). _fertile catkins_ slender stalked, clustered,
ovoid. _l._ round oval or slightly heart-shaped, glutinous and
smooth or softly downy beneath, serrate, with very sharp and
closely set teeth. Mountainous regions of northern hemisphere.

=ALOCASIA= (from _a_, without, and _Colocasia_). Allied to _Colocasia_. ORD. _Aroideæ_. Stove plants of great beauty, often with large and handsomely variegated, usually peltate, leaves, and shortly petiolate glaucous spathes. They are not difficult to grow, with a strong moist heat, and an abundant supply of water to the roots. The soil should consist of fibrous peat, with a little light fibry loam, in large lumps; to this add a good proportion of sphagnum and lumps of charcoal, with plenty of silver sand. Keep the bulbs and soil raised well above the rim of the pots, and finish off with a surfacing of either sphagnum or cocoa-nut fibre. The latter will soon encourage new rootlets. Crock the pot quite two-thirds up with clean, broken potsherds. Water freely when in good growth, and give liquid manure once or twice a week through the growing season. Shade during bright sunshine in the spring and summer months. Increased by seeds and division of the stems or rhizome. Winter temperature, 60deg. to 65deg.; summer, 75deg. to 85deg. _See also_ =Caladium= and =Colocasia=.

=A. alba= (white). _fl._ white. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Java, 1854.

=A. amabilis= (lovely). Synonymous with _A. longiloba_.

=A. chelsonii= (Chelsea).* An interesting hybrid between _A.
cuprea_ and _A. longiloba_. _l._ large, upper surface deep green,
glossy and metallic, under side purplish, as in _A. cuprea_.

=A. cucullata= (hood-leaved). _fl._ green, whitish. Spring. _h._
2ft. India, 1826.

=A. cuprea= (coppery).* _fl._, spathe purplish-red, with short
lamina. _l._ cordate-ovate, peltate, deflexed, 12in. to 18in. long,
rich bronze colour, purple beneath. _h._ 2ft. Borneo, 1860. SYNS.
_A. metallica_, _Xanthosoma plumbea_.

=A. gigantea= (gigantic). Synonymous with _A. longiloba_.

=A. guttata= (spotted). _fl._, spathe white, spotted with purple.
_l._ leafstalk also spotted. _h._ 2-1/2ft. Borneo, 1879.

=A. hybrida= (hybrid).* A cross between _A. Lowii_ and _A. cuprea_.
_l._ elliptic in outline, with a very short acuminate point, and
very slightly parted at the base, deep olive-tinted green on the
upper surface, having stout, well-defined ribs, and the margin of
an ivory white; dull purple at the back.

=A. illustris= (bright). _l._ ovate-sagittate, rich green, with
olive-black patches, deflexed, 1-1/2ft. long. India, 1873.

=A. Jenningsii= (Jennings's).* _l._ peltate, cordate-ovate,
acuminate, with their blades deflexed from the top of the erect
mottled stalks, ground colour green, surface marked with large
wedge-shaped blotches of dark brown; veins bright green, 6in. to
8in. long. India, 1867. A very distinct and free growing species.

=A. Johnstoni= (Johnston's).* _l._ semi-erect, arrow-shaped,
peltate, the front lobe being about 12in. long, and the two back
lobes 14in. long and divergent, olive-green, prettily variegated
and strikingly veined with bright rosy red. The leafstalks are
furnished at intervals with irregular whorls of stiff spines,
the points of which are turned upwards. Stem darkly mottled with
flesh-coloured bands just above the spines. Solomon Isles, 1875.
This plant has quite a unique appearance.

=A. Liervalii= (Lierval's). _l._ bright green. Philippines, 1869.

=A. longiloba= (long-lobed). _l._ large, sagittate, with the upper
part spreading out, green, with silvery veins. _h._ 4ft. Java,
1864. SYNS. _A. amabilis_, _A. gigantea_.

=A. Lowii= (Low's). _fl._, spathe white. _l._ cordate-sagittate,
14in. to 16in. long, peltate, deflexed, olive-green, with thick
white ribs, deep purple beneath. Borneo, 1862.

=A. macrorhiza= (long-rooted). _fl._ green, whitish. _h._ 5ft.
Polynesia.