fifteen lines long; raceme rather loose, oblong, cylindrical, 3in.
to 4in. long, and 2in. in diameter; pedicels three to four lines
long; scape 1-1/2ft., slender, branched. _l._ loosely disposed,
ensiform, 6in. to 8in. long, and 1in. broad, green, spotted white;
face channelled; middle three lines thick; marginal prickles
minute, brownish; rosette 10in. to 12in. (sometimes 2ft.) in
diameter; upper leaves ascending; central ones spreading half open;
lower ones deflexed. Stem 2ft., simple, 1in. in diameter. South
Africa, 1845.
=A. Cooperi= (Cooper's).* _fl._, perianth fifteen to eighteen
lines long; raceme close, 3in. to 6in. long, and 3in. to 4in. in
diameter; lower pedicels 1in. to 2in. long; scape simple, 1-1/2ft.
to 2ft. _l._ when mature, 8in. to 10in. long, distichous, falcate,
lined; outer ones 1-1/2ft. to 2ft., above the base six to eight
lines broad, greenish, deeply channelled, sparingly spotted; middle
one and a half to two lines thick; marginal teeth minute, close,
white. Plant stemless. Natal, 1862. SYN. _A. Schmidtiana_.
=A. dichotoma= (two-branched).* Quiver-tree. _fl._, perianth
oblong, ten to twelve lines long; raceme loose, 2in. to 4in. long,
and 2in. in diameter; pedicels three to four lines long; peduncles
stout, branched. _l._ closely packed, at the top of the branch,
lanceolate, 8in. to 12in. long; bottom twelve to fifteen lines
broad, glaucous, without spots or lines, slightly channelled above
the base; middle three to four lines thick, narrow-margined with
white; marginal prickles minute, pale. Trunk short, sometimes
3ft. to 4ft. in diameter. _h._ 20ft. to 30ft. 1781. Arborescent,
branched.
=A. distans= (distant).* _fl._, perianth pale red, fifteen to
eighteen lines long; raceme densely capitate, 3in. to 4in. in
diameter; lower pedicels twelve to fifteen lines long; peduncles
1-1/2ft., usually simple. _l._ ascending, loosely disposed,
ovate-lanceolate, 3in. to 5in. long, and 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad,
green, slightly glaucous, without spots and lines; face concave;
middle three to four lines thick; back sparingly tubercled;
marginal prickles close, white, horny, one to one and a half lines
long. Stem short, simple, 1in. in diameter; internodes pale,
striated green. 1732.
=A. glauca= (milky-green).* _fl._, perianth pale red, fifteen
to sixteen lines long; peduncles simple, 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. long,
3-1/2in. to 4in. in diameter; pedicels 1in. to 1-1/2in. long. _l._
thirty to forty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 6in. to 8in. long;
at the base 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad, slowly narrowing towards the
apex, intensely glaucous, spotless, obscurely lined; middle three
to four lines thick; face above the base slightly concave; back
tubercled at apex; marginal teeth spreading, brownish, one to one
and a half lines long. Stem simple, at length, about 1ft., 1-1/2in.
to 2in. in diameter. 1731.
=A. gracilis= (graceful). _fl._, perianth yellow, straight,
fourteen to sixteen lines long; raceme densely packed, simple,
2in. to 3in.; pedicels three to four lines long; peduncle simple,
6in. to 9in. long, two-edged at the base. _l._ loosely disposed,
spreading, 6in. to 10in. long; base ten to twelve lines broad,
ensiform, acuminated, glaucous, spotless and without lines; face
slightly channelled; back rounded; marginal prickles close, minute.
Stem leafy, simple. 1822.
=A. Greenii= (Green's).* _fl._, perianth pale red, fourteen to
fifteen lines long; raceme oblong, 4in. to 8in. long, and 3in.
in diameter; lower pedicels five to six lines long; scape 2ft.
long. _l._ in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 15in. to 18in. long;
bottom 2-1/2in. to 3in. broad, slowly narrowing from middle to the
apex; middle three to four lines thick; face flat, shining green,
obscurely lined and spotted white; marginal prickles spreading, one
and a half to two lines long, horny. Stem short, simple, 1-1/2in.
in diameter. South Africa, 1875.
=A. Hanburyana= (Hanbury's). Synonymous with _A. albocincta_.
=A. humilis= (humble).* _fl._, perianth brilliant red, eighteen
lines long; raceme loose, simple, 6in. long, and 2in. to 2-1/2in.
in diameter; pedicels nine to twelve lines long; peduncles
about 1ft. _l._ thirty to forty in a dense rosette, ascending,
lanceolate, acuminate, 3in. to 4in. long, six to eight lines
broad, glaucous green, obscurely lined; face slightly concave
above, sparingly tubercled; middle three lines thick; back convex;
marginal prickles pale, one line long. Plant stemless. 1731.
=A. h. acuminata= (taper-pointed). _l._ ovate-lanceolate, 4in. to
5in. long, fifteen to eighteen lines broad; marginal prickles pale,
two to two and a half lines long. _A. incurva_, _A. suberecta_,
and _A. subtuberculata_, of Haworth; _A. Candollei_, and _A.
macilenta_, of Baker, are mere forms of the foregoing species.
=A. incurva= (incurved). A mere form of _A. humilis_.
=A. latifolia= (broad-leaved).* _fl._, perianth brilliant golden
scarlet, fifteen to eighteen lines long; raceme dense, corymbose,
terminal, 4in. to 5in. long and wide; lower pedicels 1-1/2in. to
2in. long; peduncle robust, 2ft., often branched. _l._ twelve to
twenty in a dense rosette, ovate-lanceolate, 6in. long, 2-1/2in. to
3-1/2in. broad at bottom, slowly narrowing from below the middle
upwards, green, not lined, but copiously spotted white; middle
three to four lines thick; marginal prickles one and a half to two
lines long, horny, brownish. Stem at length, 1ft. to 2ft., 1-1/2in.
to 2in. in diameter, simple. 1795.
=A. lineata= (line-marked).* _fl._, perianth red, fifteen
to eighteen lines long; raceme dense, 6in.; pedicels hardly
perpendicular, fifteen to eighteen lines long; scape simple, 1ft.
_l._ in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 6in. long, 2in. broad at base,
narrowing slowly from thence to the apex, pale green, spotless,
lined; middle three lines thick, channelled upwards on both sides,
unarmed; marginal teeth numerous, red, one and a half to two lines
long. Stem finally 6in. to 1ft., simple, 2in. in diameter. 1789.
=A. macilenta= (thin). A mere form of _A. humilis_.
=A. macracantha= (long-spined). _fl._ unknown. _l._ fifteen to
twenty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 15in. to 20in. long, and
3in. to 4in. broad at the bottom, slightly narrowed from middle to
apex; middle four lines thick; face flat, green, obscurely lined,
spotted; marginal prickles horny, three to four lines long. Stem
simple, 2ft. to 3ft., 1-1/2in. to 2in. in diameter. South Africa,
1862.
=A. macrocarpa= (large-fruited).* _fl._, perianth club-shaped,
brilliant red, fifteen to sixteen lines long; raceme loose,
terminal, 6in. long, and 2-1/2in. to 3in. in diameter; lower
pedicels 1/2in. long; peduncles 2ft. _l._ twelve to twenty in a
dense rosette, ovate-lanceolate, less than 1ft. long; bottom 3in.
to 4in. broad; top channelled; middle three to four lines thick,
green, copiously spotted; marginal prickles spreading, half line
long. Stem short, simple. Abyssinia, 1870.
=A. maculata= (spotted). Synonymous with _A. abyssinica_.
=A. margaritifera= (pearl-bearing). _See_ =Haworthia margaritifera=.
=A. mitræformis= (mitre-shaped).* _fl._, perianth brilliant red,
eighteen to twenty-one lines long; raceme dense, corymbose, 4in.
to 6in. long, and nearly as much in diameter; pedicels ascending;
lower ones fifteen to eighteen lines long; peduncles strong,
1-1/2ft., sometimes branched. _l._ rather loosely disposed,
ascending, lanceolate, about 1ft. long, 2in. to 3in. broad; green,
slightly glaucous, without spots or lines; face concave; middle
three to four lines thick; back convex, sparingly tubercled; apex
horny, pungent; marginal prickles rather close, pale, one to one
and a half lines long. Stem finally 3ft. to 4ft., simple, 1in. to
2in. in diameter.
=A. m. flavispina= (yellow-spined). Differs from the type in
having narrower and more lanceolate leaves, and yellow spines.
_A. Commelyni_, _A. spinulosa_, _A. pachyphylla_, and _A.
xanthacantha_, are also forms of this species.
=A. myriacantha= (many-spined). _fl._, perianth pale red, eight
to nine lines long; racemes densely capitate, 2in. in diameter;
pedicels four to six lines long; peduncles slender, simple, 1ft.
_l._ ten to twelve, falcate, linear, 5in. to 6in. long, four to
five lines broad, green, glaucous; face deeply channelled; back
convex, spotted white; marginal teeth numerous, white. Plant
stemless. 1823.
=A. nobilis= (noble).* _fl._, perianth red, fifteen to eighteen
lines long; raceme dense, 6 or more inches long, 4in. broad; lower
pedicels 1-1/2in. to 2in. long; peduncles simple, 1-1/2ft. _l._
rather loosely disposed, lanceolate, 9in. to 12in. long, 2-1/4in.
to 4in. broad; face green, without spots or lines, concave above
the base; middle three to four lines thick; apex rather pungent;
back prickly upwards; marginal prickles rather close, one and a
half to two lines long, horny. Stem simple, at length 3ft. to 4ft.
high, 1-1/2in. to 2in. in diameter. 1800.
=A. pachyphylla= (thick-leaved). A mere form of _A. mitræformis_.
=A. paniculata= (panicled). Synonymous with _A. albocincta_.
=A. Perryi= (Perry's).* _fl._, perianth greenish, nine to ten lines
long; raceme dense, 3in. to 4in. long; pedicels three to four
lines long; inflorescence 1-1/2ft. long, commonly two-headed. _l._
in a rosette, lanceolate, 7in. to 8in. long, and 2-1/2in. broad,
from below the middle to the apex narrowed, pale glaucous green,
spotless, obscurely lined, channelled above the base; middle three
to four lines thick; marginal teeth close, horny, one line long.
Stem simple, 1in. in diameter. Socotra, 1879.
=A. prolifera= (proliferous). Synonymous with _A. brevifolia_.
=A. purpurascens= (purplish). _fl._, perianth reddish, twelve to
fifteen lines long; raceme dense, 6in. to 9in. long, and about 3in.
in diameter; pedicels nine to twelve lines long; scape strong,
simple, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. _l._ forty to fifty in a dense rosette,
1ft. to 1-1/2ft. long, ensiform, 2in. broad at the base, slowly
narrowed towards the apex, green; base flat; middle three lines
thick, slightly channelled upwards, sometimes spotted; marginal
prickles small, white. Stem 2ft. to 3ft., sometimes forked. 1789.
=A. rhodocincta= (red-margined), of gardens, is probably a form of
_A. albocincta_.
=A. saponaria= (soapy).* _fl._, perianth brilliant red, eighteen to
twenty-one lines long; raceme dense, corymbose, 3in. to 4in. long
and wide; lower pedicels 1-1/2in. to 2in. long; scape 1ft. to 2ft.,
simple, or sparingly branched. _l._ twelve to twenty in a dense
rosette, lanceolate, 9in. to 12in. long, eighteen to twenty-four
lines broad, narrowed from below the middle upwards; middle three
to four lines broad; face flat at bottom; back swollen, green,
copiously spotted, distinctly lined; marginal prickles adjoining,
horny, one and a half to two lines long. Stem short, simple,
1-1/2in. to 2in. in diameter. 1727.
=A. Schimperi= (Schimper's).* _fl._, perianth bright red, eighteen
to twenty-one lines long; racemes densely corymbose, 4in. in
diameter; pedicels twelve to fifteen lines long; scape strong, 3ft.
long, strongly branched above. _l._ twenty in a dense rosette,
oblong-lanceolate, about 1ft. long, 4in. broad, glaucous green,
lined, sometimes spotted, three to four lines thick at middle,
above which they are channelled; teeth minute, spreading. Stem
short, simple. Abyssinia, 1876.
=A. Schmidtiana= (Schmidt's). Synonymous with _A. Cooperi_.
=A. serra= (saw). _fl._, perianth brilliant red, eighteen lines
long; raceme simple, dense, 6in. long or more, 3in. to 4in. in
diameter; pedicels six to twelve lines long; scape simple, 1-1/2ft.
to 2ft. _l._ thirty to forty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 3in.
to 5in. long, twelve to eighteen lines broad below, without spots
and lines; base swollen, concave towards the apex; middle three to
four lines thick, sparingly tubercled; marginal prickles close, one
to one and a half lines long. Plant shortly stemmed. 1818.
=A. serratula= (finely-toothed).* _fl._, perianth red, fifteen to
eighteen lines long; raceme rather dense, 6in. long; pedicels six
to nine lines long; peduncles simple, about 1ft. _l._ twelve to
twenty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 6in. to 9in. long; bottom
1-1/2in. to 2-1/4in. broad, pale green; face below the top flat
or slightly concave, obscurely lined, spotted; margin minutely
denticulated. Stem simple, finally 1ft. to 2ft. high, 1-1/2in. to
2in. in diameter. 1789.
=A. spinulosa= (spiny). A mere form of _A. mitræformis_.
=A. striata= (striated). Synonymous with _A. albocincta_.
=A. striatula= (slightly striped).* _fl._, perianth yellow, twelve
to fifteen lines long; raceme oblong, rather dense, simple, 3in. to
6in. long, and 2in. in diameter; pedicels short; peduncles simple,
nearly 1ft. _l._ linear, spreading, green, 6in. to 9in. long; base
not dilated, six to eight lines broad, above the base upwards
narrowed, slightly channelled; middle one line thick; marginal
prickles deltoid. Stem long, sarmentose; floral branches three to
six lines in diameter; internodes 6in. to 12in. long. 1823.
=A. suberecta= (slightly erect). A mere form of _A. humilis_.
=A. subtuberculata= (slightly knobbed). A mere form of _A. humilis_.
=A. succotrina= (Socotrine).* _fl._, perianth reddish, fifteen
lines long; raceme dense, about 1ft. long, 2-1/2in. to 3in. in
diameter; lower pedicels nine to twelve lines long; peduncles
simple, 1-1/2ft. _l._ thirty to forty in a dense rosette, ensiform,
acuminate, falcate, 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. long; base 2in.; middle 1in.
broad, green, slightly glaucous, sometimes spotted, slightly
channelled upwards; marginal prickles pale, one line long. Stem
3ft. to 5ft., often forked. Isle of Socotra. 1731.
=A. tenuior= (thinned). _fl._, perianth pale yellow, five to six
lines long; racemes rather loose, simple, oblong, nearly 1ft. 2in.
in diameter; pedicels three to four lines long; peduncles slender,
simple, 4in. to 8in. _l._ loose, linear, 5in. to 8in. long, slowly
narrowing from middle towards apex, green, spotless, slightly
channelled; middle one line thick; marginal prickles minute, pale.
Stem long, sarmentose. 1821.
=A. tricolor= (three-coloured).* _fl._, perianth coral red, fleshy;
raceme loose, oblong, 3in. to 4in. long, and 2in. broad; pedicels
ascending, three to four lines long; scape 1-1/2ft. long, glaucous
purple; panicle deltoid. _l._ twelve to sixteen in a close rosette,
lanceolate, 5in. to 6in. long, 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad at bottom,
slowly narrowing from below the middle to apex; middle five to
six lines thick; back rounded; face slightly swollen, copiously
spotted, not lined; marginal prickles close, spreading, about one
line long. Stem short, simple. South Africa, 1875.
=A. variegata= (variegated).* _fl._, perianth reddish, fifteen
to sixteen lines long; raceme simple, loose, 3in. to 4in. long
and about 3in. in diameter; pedicels three to four lines long;
scape simple, tapering, 6in. to 8in. _l._ close, erecto-patent,
lanceolate, 4in. to 5in. long, 1in. broad; face concave; back
keeled, bright green, copiously spotted grey on both sides; margin
whitish, denticulated. 1790. This is the variegated Aloe so
frequently seen in cottage windows.
[Illustration: FIG. 61. ALOE VERA.]
=A. vera= (true).* _fl._, perianth yellow, cylindrical, 3/4in. to
1in. long; raceme dense, 6in. to 12in. long; scape strong, 2ft. to
3ft. long, simple or branched. _l._ ensiform, dense, aggregate,
2in. to 4in. broad, narrowing from the base to apex, pale green;
middle about 1/2in. thick; face channelled above the base; marginal
prickles subdistant, deltoid, horny. Stem rarely more than 1ft. or
2ft. 1596. SYNS. _A. barbadensis_, _A. vulgaris_. See Fig. 61.
=A. vulgaris= (common). Synonymous with _A. vera_.
=A. xanthacantha= (yellow-spined). A mere form of _A. mitræformis_.
=A. Zeyheri= (Zeyher's). A garden synonym of _A. Bainesii_.
=ALOMIA= (from _a_, not, and _loma_, a fringe). ORD. _Compositæ_.
Allied to _Eupatoria_. An ornamental half-hardy evergreen plant. Grows
freely in sandy loam, and may be propagated by cuttings.
=A. ageratoides= (ageratum-like). _fl.-heads_ white, many flowered;
involucrum campanulate, imbricate; scales narrow, acute; receptacle
naked, convex. July. _l._ opposite, or upper ones alternate,
petiolate, denticulated. _h._ 1-1/2ft. New Spain, 1824.
=ALONA= (primitive name, _Nolana_--letters transposed; from _nola_,
a little bell, in allusion to the shape of the flowers). ORD.
_Nolanaceæ_. A genus of pretty evergreen shrubs closely allied to
_Nolana_, but differing principally in having several ovaries from one
to six-celled, whereas _Nolana_ has five four-celled ovaries. Leaves
fasciculate; stems woody. They require ordinary greenhouse treatment,
in a peat and loam compost. Cuttings root freely in sandy loam, with a
very gentle bottom heat, in about a fortnight.
=A. cœlestis= (sky-blue).* _fl._ pale blue, very large, axillary,
solitary; peduncle elongated. July. _l._ terete, fascicled; plant
nearly glabrous. _h._ 2ft. Chili, 1843. This pretty species is an
excellent one for growing out-of-doors during summer months.
=ALONSOA= (in honour of Z. Alonso, formerly Spanish secretary for
Santa Fe de Bogota). ORD. _Scrophularineæ_. A genus of very pretty
little half-hardy shrubs, herbaceous perennials, or annuals, with
axillary, sub-racemose flowers, which are resupinate, with a sub-rotate
five-cleft limb. Leaves opposite, or ternately whorled. They will grow
freely in light rich soil; and are readily increased by cuttings in
August or March, which should be placed in sandy soil in gentle heat,
or by seeds sown in March. The herbaceous species may be treated as
outdoor summer annuals, and should be raised in a little heat, and
planted out early in May.
=A. albiflora= (white-flowered).* _fl._ pure white, with yellow
eye, in long terminal spikes. _h._ 1-1/2ft. to 2ft. Mexico, 1877.
This is recommended for pot culture, as in the conservatory it will
provide a succession of flowers throughout the autumn and winter.
=A. caulialata= (wing-stemmed). _fl._ scarlet, racemose. June. _l._
ovate, acute, serrated. Stems and branches quadrangular, winged.
_h._ 1ft. Peru, 1823. Half-hardy, herbaceous.
=A. incisifolia= (cut-leaved).* _fl._ scarlet; peduncles long,
alternate, disposed in terminal racemes. May to October. _l._
opposite, ovate, acute, deeply toothed, or serrate. _h._ 1ft.
to 2ft. Chili, 1795. Glabrous greenhouse shrub. SYN. _Hemimeris
urticifolia_.
=A. linearis= (linear-leaved). _fl._ scarlet, with a dark bottom,
like most of the species. May to October. _l._ opposite, or three
in a whorl, linear, entire or remotely denticulated; young leaves
fascicled in the axils of the old ones. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Peru,
1790. Greenhouse shrub. SYN. _Hemimeris coccinea_.
=A. linifolia= (flax-leaved).* _fl._ scarlet. _h._ 1ft. to 1-1/2ft.
New Holland. This is an elegant little annual, forming symmetrical,
graceful, and very free flowering plants, either for pot or outdoor
culture.
=A. Matthewsii= (Matthew's). _fl._ scarlet, in loose, terminal
racemes. July. _l._ lanceolate, toothed, about 1in. long. Stem
slender, quadrangular. _h._ 1ft. Peru, 1871. Greenhouse shrub.
=A. myrtifolia= (myrtle-leaved). _fl._ scarlet, very large. New and
pretty species.
=A. Warscewiczii= (Warscewicz's).* _fl._ rosy scarlet. _h._
1-1/2ft. Chili, 1858. This is probably a herbaceous variety of _A.
incisifolia_, and one of the best annuals.
=ALOYSIA= (in honour of Maria Louisa, mother of Ferdinand VII., King
of Spain). Sweet-scented Verbena. ORD. _Verbenaceæ_. This genus is
nearly allied to _Verbena_, which _see_ for generic characters. A
greenhouse deciduous shrub, with a very fine perfume and graceful
habit. The most satisfactory plan of culture is to obtain well-grown
thrifty young plants in spring, and grow them on for the season. As
the wood ripens, give less water until they are at rest, when it must
be nearly withheld. About the end of January, bring into the light and
warmth, and water thoroughly. As soon as the plants break, cut back to
three or four eyes; and when the young shoots are about an inch long,
transfer into rich sandy soil, using pots a size or two smaller than
those they were in before. When the pots are full of roots, transfer
to those that are to hold the plants for the season. By this mode of
culture, good plants are to be maintained for any length of time.
Aloysias form excellent pillar subjects for either a cold greenhouse,
or out-of-doors, in which latter situation they thrive remarkably
well, but require thorough protection, with straw bands or mats, from
November until March, and afterwards at night, until danger from severe
frosts has passed. They require no summer training, their young growth
being continually cut off for the many purposes of decoration to which
they are applied, and to which they are so well adapted. They are
easily increased by young cuttings in spring, which should be placed in
sandy soil and gentle heat, when they will root in about three weeks.
=A. citriodora= (lemon-scented).* _fl._ whitish or lilac, very
small, in terminal panicles. August. _l._ pale green, lanceolate,
agreeably scented, arranged in whorls of threes; branches slender.
Chili, 1781. SYNS. _Lippia citriodora_, _Verbena triphylla_.
=ALPINE GARDEN.= A very interesting style of gardening, which succeeds
best by imitating Nature as closely as possible. The situation may
be an open or a sheltered one. In building a Rock or Alpine Garden,
it should be so arranged that all aspects are secured--shady and
sunny--fully or in degree only. Pockets and crevices of various
sizes may be made, and filled with soil suitable for the subjects
to be planted therein, each one having a direct connection with the
bulk of the soil; and the constructing material should be arranged
with a gentle fall, so that moisture drains towards rather than from
the roots. Alpine plants, as a rule, flourish better on a properly
constructed rockery than if placed in any other position, because
thorough drainage is effected, and the long and fine roots can run
down in the crevices, where the soil is cool and moist. Although most
alpine plants are naturally exposed to the full action of sun and wind,
they should be placed out in early autumn, or early spring, so as to
become thoroughly established before the approach of scorching summer
weather. Failing materials necessary for the construction of a rockery,
many alpines are easily grown in the ordinary border, in a naturally or
artificially well drained situation. Excavate to the depth of 18in.,
put in a layer of stones, broken bricks, &c., 6in. deep; fill up with
rich fibrous loam and leaf mould, adding sufficient sand to keep the
soil porous. When the desired subjects are firmly planted, cover the
surface with small gravel or stone chippings, which, while allowing the
rain to penetrate the soil, effectually checks evaporation, and keeps
it moist and cool, as well as giving the appearance of rocky _débris_.
The effect will be better if the surface is slightly undulated.
=ALPINE ROSE.= _See_ =Rhododendron ferrugineum=.