species have of deriving their sustenance from the atmosphere). ORD.
_Orchideæ_. An extensive genus of epiphytal orchids, confined to the
tropics of the Old World, including many large and showy-flowered
species. The majority of them are extremely handsome. The thick
fleshy leaves are noteworthy for their characteristically distichous
arrangement--that is to say, they are arranged in two opposite rows.
They are usually truncate at the apex, and for the most part deeply
channelled down the centre, but in some species terete or nearly
cylindrical. All of them throw out large fleshy roots from various
parts of their stems, by which they absorb the moisture from the
atmosphere; and, in order to grow them successfully, they must be fixed
upon blocks of wood. But this method should be adopted only whilst the
plants are young, as it is almost an impossibility for the cultivator
to maintain a sufficient amount of atmospheric moisture to meet their
requirements; and, unless this is managed, the leaves will shrivel and
fall off, leaving only a few at the extremity. Therefore, as soon as
the plants are established upon the blocks of wood, let them be removed
and potted. Fill the pot three parts full of broken potsherds and lumps
of charcoal, and then use nothing, but clean, living sphagnum, placing
a few roots in the moss and leaving the others free. By this means a
greater amount of moisture can be supplied to them, and thus beautiful
and symmetrical specimens obtained. The Aerides are easily grown into
handsome plants, which usually bloom profusely, and thus recommend
themselves to all who cultivate orchids. From early spring until the
end of September they should be treated liberally with water, at the
same time taking care never to wet the flowers. After the above-named
time, a gradual diminution in the water supply to the roots should
take place; and the atmosphere, too, should be less densely charged
with moisture. But drought should never be carried far enough to cause
the leaves to shrivel, for, if this is done, the uniformity of the
specimen is marred; and, although we are quite willing to admit the
possibility of the plants producing a greater quantity of flower spikes
after a thorough shrivelling, we prefer to advocate the system that
gives a fair amount of flower coupled with good leafage. As before
remarked, the Aerides are peculiarly eastern, and therefore are usually
classed amongst the orchids which require the hottest houses. This is,
in one sense, correct; yet they do not require the great amount of heat
which many imagine, and which has, until recently, been given them.
They must not, therefore, be excluded from the amateur's collection of
orchids. During the winter season many of the species may be kept in
a temperature of 58deg. to 60deg.; whilst during the growing season
the temperature may run up by sun heat without limit, so long as a
free circulation of air and a sufficiency of moisture are secured. The
following status of temperature may be observed: In spring, from 65deg.
in the night, to 70deg. or 80deg. by day; in summer, from 70deg. in the
night, to 80deg. or 85deg. through the day; in winter, about 60deg.
night, and 65deg. day.
=A. affine= (related).* _fl._ delicate rose, produced, in great
profusion, on branching spikes, which are sometimes 2ft. in
length, and continue in bloom two or three weeks; the sepals and
petals equal, rounded at the apex; the lip is sharply rhomboid and
three-lobed, with a short spur. _l._ light green, about 1ft. long.
_h._ 3ft. A very handsome species from India, forming an excellent
exhibition plant.
=A. a. superbum= (superb).* An improved variety, with larger and
richer coloured flowers, and more compact habit.
=A. Brookii= (Sir A. Brooke's).* _fl._ purple and white; labellum
bright purple; sepals and petals white, very fragrant. _l._ very
ornamental, of a glaucous (milky green) hue. Bombay. This species,
although one of the handsomest, is very rare.
=A. crassifolium= (thick-leaved).* This is a dwarf, densely-habited
plant, with broad, thick, purple-dotted obliquely-bilobed leaves.
The flowers, which are borne on long and drooping spikes, are
bare--larger than those of _A. falcatum_, which they resemble in
form, and have the segments tipped with rich purple or amethyst,
the centre or throat of the flower being ivory-white. Compared with
_A. falcatum_, the spur is here bent under at an angle, while in
that plant it is straight; the side laciniæ of the lip are much
broader and shorter in the present plant, and the two keels on the
lip here stand close together at the base, and become divergent,
whilst in _falcatum_ they are distant at the base, and become
convergent near the middle of the lip. This species is described
as being the best in the genus. It may be grown near the glass,
suspended in a basket. Burmah, 1877.
[Illustration: FIG. 34. FLOWER OF AERIDES CRISPUM.]
=A. crispum= (curled).* _fl._ white, suffused with purplish rose,
nearly 2in. in diameter; sepals and petals ovate, acute; lip
three-lobed, the middle lobe being very large, toothed at the base,
and fringed at the margin; the horn-like spur is slightly incurved;
racemes ascending, more than double the length of the leaves,
many-flowered. _l._ deep green, flat and broad, blunt at the ends,
and two-lobed, about 4in. or 5in. long. Bombay, 1840. Lasts a long
time in beauty. See Fig. 34.
=A. c. Lindleyanum= (Lindley's). A robust-growing variety,
producing a large, much-branched panicle of flowers; sepals and
petals white; lip large, bright rich rose-coloured.
=A. c. Warneri= (Warner's).* The leaves are smaller, and more
slender than in the species; the sepals and petals are white, with
a soft, rich, rose-coloured lip.
=A. cylindricum= (cylindric).* _fl._ white and pink, as large as
those of _A. crispum_; sepals and petals crispy. _l._ elongate,
subulate, terete, 4in. to 6in. long. East Indies. A very rare and
distinct species. SYN. _A. vandarum_.
=A. dasycarpum= (thick-fruited). _fl._ brownish, rosy. India, 1865.
=A. dasypogon.= _See_ =Sarcanthus erinaceus=.
=A. difforme= (deformed). _fl._ green and brown. India, 1865.
=A. Dominiana= (Dominy's).* This is a garden hybrid between _A.
Fieldingii_ and _A. affine_, with the colour of the former, but
markings and shape of the latter. Very rare.
=A. falcatum= (sickle-leaved).* _fl._ sepals and petals white,
dotted with reddish crimson, and tipped with soft rose; lip white
at the sides, with a rosy-crimson centre; spur short, parallel with
the lip; racemes pendulous, many flowered. _l._ closely set upon
the stem, peculiar blue-green, coriaceous, obtuse and mucronate.
This species is very closely allied to _A. crassifolium_. SYN. _A.
Larpentæ_.
[Illustration: FIG. 35. AERIDES ODORATUM.]
=A. Fieldingii= (Fielding's).* The Fox-brush Ærides. _fl._ white,
numerous, large, beautifully mottled with bright rose colour; the
much branched racemes are 2ft. to 3ft. long, and continue blooming
three or four weeks. _l._ 8in. to 10in. long, in some plants light
green, and in others dark green; long, broad, thick, and fleshy,
obliquely two-lobed at the apex. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. Assam.
=A. Houlletianum= (Houllet's).* _fl._ sepals and petals buff,
shading off into cream white at the base, with a purplish eye-spot
at their tips; lip white; front part dark purplish, with some lines
of the same colour on the sides; on densely crowded spikes. _l._
and growth similar to _A. virens_. Cochin China. SYN. _A. Mendelii_.
=A. japonicum= (Japanese).* _fl._ white, with the lateral sepals
slightly barred with brown purple; several on the pendent racemes;
lip purple, spotted, marked with a dark violet central ridge. _l._
short, linear-oblong, obtusely bilobed. Stems short, about 4in.
high. A pretty cool house species from Japan, 1862.
=A. Larpentæ= (Lady Larpent's). Synonymous with _A. falcatum_.
=A. Lobbii= (Lobb's).* _fl._ white in the centre, slightly tinted
with blush-rose towards the outside, somewhat spotted with violet;
lip marked with a whitish central bar, and stained with a deep
violet on either side; on long, dense, cylindrical, pendent
spikes. _l._ ligulate, obliquely two-lobed at the apex, thick
and fleshy in texture, about 18in. long, and of a light green
hue. Moulmein, 1868. This elegant plant, of which many distinct
varieties are in cultivation, is one of the most delicate of the
genus.
=A. maculosum= (spotted). _fl._ large, with obtuse pale
rose-coloured sepals and petals, which are spotted with purple;
lip flat and undivided, bluntly ovate, and of a deep rosy-purple;
racemes pendulous, proceeding from among the upper leaves, somewhat
lax and branching. _l._ ligulate, thick, and fleshy, obtuse at
the apex, 8in. or 9in. long, dark green. A somewhat slow growing
species, with a rather stiff, dwarf habit. Bombay, 1840.
=A. m. Schrœderi= (Schrœder's).* _fl._ very delicate white, tinged
with lilac and spotted with rose; labellum beautiful rose coloured.
_l._ dark green, 10in. long. _h._ 18in. East Indies. A very free
growing and handsome variety, superior to the species, but rare in
cultivation.
=A. Mendelii= (Mendel's). Synonymous with _A. Houlletianum_.
=A. mitratum= (mitred).* _fl._ waxy-white; lip violet coloured, on
numerous dense erect racemes. April. _l._ cylindrical, attenuated,
about 2ft. long, dark green. Moulmein, 1864. A rare but elegant
species.
=A. nobile= (noble).* _fl._ sepals and petals white tipped, and
spotted with bright rose; lip three-lobed, the side lobes creamy
yellow, and the middle lobe slightly bifid at the apex, white,
dotted with rose-purple, very fragrant; racemes 2ft. to 3ft.
long, pendulous, much branched, many flowered. _l._ strap-shaped,
obliquely emarginate at the apex, light green, slightly spotted
with brown. Not unlike _A. suavissimum_, but with larger and better
coloured flowers, and more robust growth. East Indies.
=A. odontochilum= (tooth-lipped). _h._ 2ft. Sylhet, 1837.
=A. odoratum= (fragrant).* _fl._ sepals and petals creamy and
white, tipped with pink; lip cucullate, with even side lobes,
the middle lobe being ovate and inflexed, the spur conical and
incurved, of the same colour as the sepals, very fragrant; racemes
longer than the leaves, many-flowered, pendulous. _l._ oblique,
obtuse, mucronate at the apex, and dark green. East Indies, 1800.
See Fig. 35.
=A. o. cornutum= (horned). _fl._ pink and white. Distinct.
=A. o. majus= (greater).* Like _A. odoratum_ in growth, but with
larger and longer spike of flowers.
=A. o. purpurascens= (purplish).* A very robust variety, with broad
dark green leaves and massive spike of large flowers, which are
white, tipped with bright pink.
=A. pachyphyllum= (thick-leaved). _fl._ light crimson lake; spur
and column white, the small laciniæ of the blade of the lip on
front part of spur painted with more or less warm purple (these
laciniæ are just as insignificant as the spur is preponderant);
raceme short, few-flowered. _l._ fleshy, short; apex obtuse, and
unequally two-lobed. Burmah, 1880.
=A. quinquevulnerum= (five-wounded).* _fl._ fragrant; sepals and
petals obtuse, white, marked with five reddish crimson blotches,
and tipped with purple; lip cucullate and funnel-shaped, the
side lobes being erect and the centre lobe oblong, incurved
and serrated, of the same colour as the sepals; spur conical,
green, large; racemes longer than the leaves, pendulous, and
many-flowered. Late summer and early autumn. _l._ ligulate, about
12in. long, tightly clasping the stem at the base, obliquely
mucronate at the apex, bright shining green. Philippines, 1838.
=A. q. Farmeri= (Farmer's).* A very rare variety of the above,
with similar habit, but the flowers are pure white throughout, and
fragrant.
=A. Reichenbachii= (Reichenbach's).* _fl._, sepals neatly striped
(not blotched); lip deep orange colour; racemes densely crowded.
Borneo, 1858. A very rare species.
=A. roseum= (rose-coloured).* _fl._, sepals and petals narrow,
acute, pale rose colour, with darker spots; lip flat, entire, and
acute, of a bright rose, freckled--like the sepals and petals--with
spots of a darker hue; raceme pendulous, dense, and many-flowered,
upwards of 1ft. in length. _l._ coriaceous, recurved, and
channelled above with a blunt two-lobed apex. Moulmein, 1840. As
this does not root freely, it requires less moisture than any other
species.
=A. r. superbum= (superb).* A fine variety, with stronger growth
and larger and richer-coloured flowers. The spikes of this, as well
as the typical species, are apt to die off if much water is given.
=A. rubrum= (red). A synonym of _Sarcanthus erinaceus_.
=A. suavissimum= (sweetest). _fl._ sepals and petals obtusely
ovate, white, tipped or tinged throughout with deep lilac; lip
three-lobed, pressed to the column, the side lobes being oblong
and denticulate, the middle lobe linear and bifid, the whole lip
being of a pale lemon colour, and the spur rosy-eyed; the numerous
racemes are half pendulous and branched, bearing a profusion of
deliciously fragrant flowers. _l._ flaccid, about 10in. long, light
green, profusely freckled with brown dots. Malacca, 1848. There are
one or two varieties.
=A. tesselatum= (chequered). _fl._ lined and streaked with green,
white, and purple. East Indies, 1838. A scarce species.
=A. testaceum= (testaceous). A synonym of _Vanda testacea_.
=A. Thibautianum= (Thibaut's). A synonym of _Saccolabium Huttoni_.
=A. vandarum= (Vanda). A synonym of _A. cylindricum_.
=A. virens= (vigorous). _fl._ deliciously fragrant; sepals and
petals ovate, obtuse, soft white, tipped with rosy-purple; lip
large; side lobes toothed at the apex, white, dotted with crimson;
middle lobe bearing a red inflated tongue; racemes long, drooping,
many-flowered, commencing to bloom early in April, and lasting
until July. _l._ broad, oblique, rounded at the apex, with a
depression in the centre, and very bright green, about 8in. long.
=A. v. Ellisii= (Ellis's).* _fl._ sepals and petals large, white,
suffused with rose, and tipped with amethyst; the lower sepals very
round and broad; lip large; side lobes white, beautifully freckled
towards the base, with short lines of amethyst; middle lobe broad,
and deep rich amethyst in colour; spur stout, curved upwards, and
tipped with brown; racemes about 18in. long, bearing generally
from thirty to forty, or more, large flowers. _l._ pale green. A
splendid variety.
=A. Wightianum.= _See_ =Vanda testacea=.
=A. Williamsii= (Williams's).* _fl._ delicate pinkish white,
produced in great abundance; spikes 2ft. to 3ft. long, and
branched, _l._ broad, dark green, drooping. A very scarce and
pretty species.
=AEROBION.= _See_ =Angræcum=.
=AEROPHYTES.= Plants that are grown entirely in the air.
=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.
[Illustration: FIG. 36. ÆSCHYNANTHUS BOSCHIANUS.]
=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.