barren). ORD. _Amaranthaceæ_. Well known ornamental-leaved half-hardy
plants, with inconspicuous flowers in axillary heads. Some of the
undermentioned species and varieties belong, technically speaking, to
_Telanthera_, in which genus the five stamens are inseparate below, and
alternate with as many sterile filaments. They are so universally known
in gardening under the present generic name, that we have here included
them for convenience' sake. Where Alternantheras are used in large
quantities (and if they are to be used effectively, a considerable
number must be provided), their economical propagation becomes a matter
of importance. A good colour can only be secured by growing them in
some house or pit in the full light and warmth of the sun; for, unless
so grown, green or badly coloured plants will be the result. The best
and quickest way of producing this class of plants in large quantities,
is to make up a special hotbed for them about the end of March or
beginning of April. If a pit be used, it should be filled up within
6in. of the glass with leaves and manure, or any other material that
will produce a steady bottom heat of 80deg. or 85deg., and will last
for three weeks or so at that point; which, at this season, will be an
easy matter. When the heat has become regular and steady, about 4in. or
5in. of light, rich, sandy soil should be placed all over the surface,
adding, at the same time, a sprinkling of silver sand on the top, and
pressing it moderately firm with a flat board. The cuttings may now be
prepared and dibbled in, 1in. apart each way. If kept close, moist, and
shaded from bright sunshine, in a few days they will be forming roots,
and so soon as that takes place the shading should be discontinued, and
the ventilation gradually increased until they are finally hardened off
and planted out. If carefully lifted, and placed in trays or baskets,
with a rhubarb leaf over them, they may be taken any distance, and
planted without flagging; with this advantage-that the plants being
in good colour, the beds are effective at once. April is early enough
to commence striking them, and these will be fit to plant out by the
middle of June. The several species quoted in various dictionaries
hitherto are unknown in English gardens.
=A. amabilis= (lovely).* _l._ elliptic, acuminate, greenish in
some stages, with the principal ribs stained with red, but under
free growth becoming almost entirely suffused with rose colour,
mixed with orange, the midribs continuing to be of a deep red hue.
Brazil, 1868.
=A. a. amœna= (charming).* _l._ small, spathulate, orange red and
purple in colour, which is shaded with deep green and bronze.
Brazil, 1865. A most elegant little plant, with a spreading habit.
=A. a. tricolor= (three-coloured).* _l._ broadly ovate, glabrous,
dark green at the edge, and have a centre of vivid rose, traversed
by purple veins, an irregular band of orange yellow intervening
between the centre and margin. Brazil, 1862.
=A. Bettzichiana= (Bettzich's). _l._ olive and red. Brazil, 1862.
=A. B. spathulata= (spathulate-leaved). _l._ spathulate, but more
elongated than the others; the principal colours are reddish pink
and light brown; these are shaded with bronze and green. Brazil,
1865. A rather tall species.
=A. ficoidea= (fig-like).* _l._ variegated with green, rose, and
red. India, 1865.
=A. paronychioides= (Paronychia-like).* _l._ narrow, spathulate,
ground colour deep orange red, beautifully shaded with olive green.
Dense and compact grower, forming a little clump about 4in. high.
=A. p. magnifica= (magnificent).* A very fine variety, with a much
higher colour than the type.
=A. p. major= (greater).* _l._ bronze, with rich orange tips; very
effective.
=A. p. m. aurea= (greater-golden).* _l._ bright golden yellow,
which colour they retain all through the season.
=A. versicolor= (various-colour).* _l._ medium sized, ovate, bright
rosy pink and crimson, shaded with bronzy green, branching freely,
and making a compact and handsome plant. Brazil, 1865.
=ALTERNATE.= Placed on opposite sides of an axis on a different line,
as in alternate leaves.
=ALTHÆA= (from _altheo_, to cure; in reference to the medicinal
qualities of some of the species). Marsh Mallow. ORD. _Malvaceæ_. Hardy
biennials or perennials, closely allied to _Malva_. Outer calyx six
to nine-cleft, inner one five-cleft. Most species belonging to this
genus are worthy of cultivation, particularly in woods, coppices, and
shrubberies; they will thrive in almost any kind of soil. They may be
either increased by dividing the plants at the roots, or by seeds; the
biennial species must be raised from seed every year, which may be
sown in spring where they are intended to remain, or in pans placed in
a cold frame, from which the young plants may be removed when large
enough.
=A. cannabina= (Hemp-leaved).* _fl._ rose-coloured; peduncles
axillary, many-flowered, loose, longer than the leaves. June. _l._
pubescent, lower ones palmately-parted, upper ones three-parted;
lobes narrow, and grossly toothed. _h._ 5ft. to 6ft. South France,
1597. Perennial.
=A. caribæa= (Caribean).* _fl._ rose coloured, with a yellow
base, solitary, almost sessile. March. _l._ cordate, roundish,
lobed, crenate-serrated. Stem straight, hispid. _h._ 3ft. Caribbee
Islands, 1816. Biennial.
=A. ficifolia= (fig-leaved). Antwerp Hollyhock. _fl._ generally
yellow or orange coloured, in terminal spikes, large, single or
double. June. _l._ divided beyond the middle into seven lobes;
lobes oblong, obtuse, irregularly toothed. _h._ 6ft. Siberia, 1597.
Biennial.
=A. flexuosa= (zigzag).* _fl._ scarlet, axillary, solitary,
stalked; petals obcordate. June. _l._ cordate, somewhat
seven-lobed, obtuse, on long footstalks. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. North
India, 1803. Perennial.
=A. frutex= (shrubby). Synonymous with _Hibiscus syriacus_.
=A. narbonensis= (Narbonne).* _fl._ pale red; peduncles
many-flowered, loose, longer than the leaves. August. _l._
pubescent, lower ones five or seven-lobed, upper ones three-lobed.
_h._ 3ft. to 6ft. France, 1780. Perennial.
[Illustration: FIG. 69. FLOWER AND BUDS OF ALTHÆA OFFICINALIS.]
=A. officinalis= (officinal). Common Marsh Mallow. _fl._ of a
delicate, uniform blush colour; peduncles axillary, many-flowered,
much shorter than the leaves. July. _l._ clothed with soft, white
tomentum on both surfaces, cordate or ovate, toothed, undivided, or
somewhat five-lobed. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. Marshes, Britain. Perennial.
See Fig. 69.
=A. rosea= (rose).* Hollyhock. _fl._ rose-coloured, large,
axillary, sessile, somewhat spiked at the top. July. _l._ cordate,
with five or seven angles, crenated, rough. Stem straight, hairy.
_h._ 8ft. China, 1573. For special culture and varieties, _see_
=Hollyhock=.
=A. striata= (streaked). _fl._ white, 2-1/2in. in diameter,
solitary, on short pedicels; calyx striped. July. _l._ cordate,
bluntly three-lobed, crenated. Stem puberulous, and somewhat
scabrous. _h._ 5ft. Biennial.
=ALUMINOUS.= Pertaining to, or containing alum, or alumina; as
Aluminous soils.
=ALUM-ROOT.= _See_ =Heuchera=.
=ALYSSUM= (from _a_, not, and _lyssa_, rage; in reference to a fable
that the plant allayed anger). Madwort. Including _Psilonema_,
_Ptilotrichum_, _Schivereckia_. ORD. _Cruciferæ_. Annuals or dwarf,
branching, shrubby perennials, often clothed with hoary, stellate
hairs. Flowers small, cruciform, white or yellow. Leaves distant, or
the radical ones tufted, usually entire. Several of the species are
very much alike. They are excellent plants for the rockery, or for the
front of borders, growing freely in common but well-drained garden
soil. They may be increased by cuttings, by division of the roots, or
by seed. The cuttings should be made from young shoots, 2in. to 3in. in
length, inserted in sandy loam, early in the season, in a shady place.
Seed may be raised outside, or in a frame in pans in sandy soil, most
of them germinating in two or three weeks.
=A. alpestre= (alpine).* _fl._ yellow; raceme simple. June. _l._
obovate, hoary. Stem rather shrubby at the base, diffuse, greyish.
_h._ 3in. South Europe, 1777. Perennial. A very neat little tufted
species. _A. argenteum_ (silvery), _A. Bertolonii_ (Bertoloni's),
and _A. murale_ (wall), are larger growing species allied to the
above, but of less cultural merit.
[Illustration: FIG. 70. ALYSSUM SAXATILE.]
=A. a. obtusifolium= (obtuse-leaved). _fl._ yellow, corymbose.
June. _l._ obovate-spathulate, blunt, silvery on the under surface.
_h._ 3in. Tauria, 1828. A rare alpine.
[Illustration: FIG. 71. ALYSSUM SAXATILE VARIEGATUM, showing Flower and
Habit.]
=A. atlanticum= (Atlantic). _fl._ yellow; raceme simple. June.
_l._ lanceolate, hoary, and pilose. Stems shrubby at the base,
erect. _h._ 6in. to 1ft. S. Europe, 1820. _A. Marschallianum_ is
intermediate between _A. alpestre_ and _A. a. obtusifolium_; but is
seldom met with under cultivation.
=A. gemonense= (German).* _fl._ yellow, in close corymbs. April to
June. _l._ lanceolate, entire, greyish-velvety from stellate down.
Stem shrubby at the base. _h._ 1ft. Italy, 1710. Closely allied to
_A. saxatile_, but not so hardy; it is very desirable for rockeries.
=A. macrocarpum= (large-fruited). _fl._ white, racemose. June. _l._
oblong, blunt, silvery. Stem shrubby, branched, somewhat spiny.
_h._ 8in. South of France, 1828. _A. spinosa_ (thorny), and _A.
halimifolia_ (purslane-leaved), are very like this species. _A.
dasycarpum_ (thick-fruited) is an annual with yellow flowers.
=A. maritimum.= _See_ =Kœniga=.
=A. montanum= (mountain). _fl._ yellow, sweet-scented; raceme
simple. May to July. _l._ somewhat hoary; lower ones obovate;
upper ones oblong. Stems rather herbaceous, diffuse, pubescent.
_h._ 2in. or 3in. Europe, 1713. A distinct and charming species
for the rockery, forming compact tufts of slightly glaucous green.
_A. cuneifolium_ (wedge-leaved), _A. diffusum_ (diffuse), and _A.
Wulfenianum_ (Wulfenius') come close to this species, the latter
being the most desirable.
=A. olympicum= (Olympian). _fl._ deep yellow, small, in roundish
corymbose heads. Summer. _l._ spathulate, sessile, very small,
greyish. _h._ 2in. to 3in. Northern Greece.
=A. orientale= (Oriental).* _fl._ yellow, corymbose. May. _l._
lanceolate, repandly-toothed, waved, downy. Stems suffruticose at
the base. _h._ 1ft. Crete, 1820. There is a variety with variegated
leaves.
=A. saxatile= (rock).* _fl._ yellow, in close corymbose heads.
April. _l._ lanceolate, entire, clothed with hoary tomentum. Stems
shrubby at the base. _h._ 1ft. Eastern Europe, 1710. A very common
and showy spring plant. See Fig. 70.
[Illustration: FIG. 72. FLOWER SPIKE OF AMARANTHUS CAUDATUS.]
=A. s. variegatum= (variegated).* A constant and prettily
variegated form, which is even more handsome than the type. On
the rockery it does well, as it requires a sunny, well drained,
position. See Fig. 71.
=A. serpyllifolium= (Thyme-leaved).* _fl._ pale yellow, in simple
racemes. April to June. _l._ very small, 1/4in. to 1/2in. long,
ovate, scabrous, hoary. _h._ 3in. to 4in. Branches spreading,
sub-woody at the base. South Europe, 1822.
=A. tortuosum= (twisted). _fl._ yellow; raceme corymbose. June.
_l._ hoary, somewhat lanceolate. Stem shrubby at the base, twisted,
diffuse. _h._ 6in. Hungary, 1804.
=A. Wiersbeckii= (Wiersbeck's).* _fl._ deep yellow, in close
corymbose heads, about 1-1/2in. across. Summer. _l._ 2in. long,
oval-oblong-pointed, sessile, attenuated at the base, roughish and
hairy. Stems erect, scabrous, simple, rigid. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Asia
Minor.
=AMARANTHACEÆ.= An extensive order of herbs or (rarely) shrubs, with
opposite or alternate leaves, and inconspicuous apetalous flowers,
which are spicately or capitately disposed. The majority of this order
are weeds; well-known exceptions being many species of _Amaranthus_.
=AMARANTH, GLOBE.= _See_ =Gomphrena=.
[Illustration: FIG. 73. FLOWER SPIKE OF AMARANTHUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS.]
=AMARANTHUS= (from _a_, not, and _maraino_, to wither; in reference
to the length of time some of the flowers retain their colour). ORD.
_Amaranthaceæ_. Hardy or half-hardy annuals, with alternate entire
leaves and small green or red flowers in large bracteate clustered
spikes. Flowers polygamous, furnished with three bracts at the base
of a three or five-lobed glabrous perianth. Stamens four or five. Of
very easy culture; they thrive best in rich loamy soil, and are largely
employed for sub-tropical and other bedding, for vases and conservatory
decorations, being very ornamental. The seed should be sown in April in
a hotbed, and the plants thinned out in the same situation when about
1/2in. high. About the end of May, they can be transplanted out of
doors in their permanent situations. They are also very handsome when
grown in pots. The young plants should be potted off early, and freely
encouraged, allowing plenty of pot-room and moisture, and be kept near
the glass, to bring out their brightest colouring. To develop their
full beauty, plenty of room is required. There are about twelve species
(indigenous to warm and tropical countries).
=A. bicolor= (two-coloured). _l._ green, variously streaked with
light yellow. _h._ 2ft. India, 1802. This species is rather
delicate, and must have a warm sunny situation.
=A. b. ruber= (red).* _l._ brilliant glistening scarlet, merging
into a dark violet red, mixed with green. Hardier than the type.
=A. caudatus= (caudate).* Love Lies Bleeding. _fl._ dark
purplish, collected in numerous whorls, which are disposed in
handsome drooping spikes. August. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. India, 1596.
A very common and vigorous growing hardy annual. There is a
yellowish-flowered variety, which, though less ornamental, is an
effective contrast. See Fig. 72.
=A. cruentus= (dark bloody). Synonymous with _A. hypochondriacus_.
=A. Henderi= (Hender's). _l._ lanceolate, undulated, intense rosy
carmine, varying with orange buff, golden yellow, and olive green.
_h._ 3ft. A garden hybrid, closely allied to _A. salicifolius_.
Pyramidal habit.
=A. hypochondriacus= (hypochondriac).* Prince's Feather. _fl._
deep crimson, on densely packed, erect spikes. July. _l._ purplish
beneath. _h._ 4ft. to 5ft. Asiatic, 1684. SYN. _A. cruentus_. See
Fig. 73.
=A. h. atropurpureus= (dark purple).* An improved variety of above.
=A. melancholicus ruber= (melancholy-red).* _h._ about 1ft. Japan.
A compact growing variety, with large shaded crimson leaves.
Largely used for bedding purposes.
=A. salicifolius= (willow-leaved).* _l._ 7in. to 15in. long,
willow-shaped, linear, and wavy, which, by their drooping outline,
present a very elegant and effective appearance. When fully grown,
the leaves are brilliantly banded and tipped with orange, carmine,
and bronze. _h._ 3ft. Philippine Isles, 1871.
=A. s. Princess of Wales.=* _l._ carmine, orange green, and bright
yellow, beautifully blended. _h._ 3ft. A garden hybrid.
=A. sanguineus= (bloody). _fl._ purple, disposed partly in small
heads in the axils of the upper leaves, and partly in slender,
flexible spikes, which form a more or less branching panicle. July.
_l._ blood red. _h._ 3ft. Bahama, 1775.
[Illustration: FIG. 74. AMARANTHUS TRICOLOR.]
=A. speciosus= (showy).* _fl._ dark crimson purple, disposed in
large erect spikes, forming a fine plumy panicle. July. _l._
suffused with a reddish tinge, which disappears at the time of
flowering. _h._ 3ft. to 5ft. Nepaul, 1819.
=A. s. aureus= (golden). _fl._ of a fine brownish-golden hue. Very
effective when grown in masses.
=A. tricolor= (three-coloured).* _l._ of a fine, transparent,
purplish-red or dark carmine from the base to the middle; a large
spot of bright yellow occupies the greater part of the upper end of
the leaf; point generally green; leafstalks yellow. _h._ 1-1/2ft.
East Indies, 1548. See Fig. 74. There are several garden varieties
of this species, requiring a somewhat warmer situation.
=AMARYLLIDEÆ.= A large and important order of usually bulbous plants,
sometimes with a stem. Flowers solitary, umbellate, or paniculate;
perianth superior, six-lobed, often with a corona at the top of
the tube. Leaves ensiform or linear. This order contains many
very beautiful genera, including _Agave_, _Amaryllis_, _Crinum_,
_Hæmanthus_, _Hippeastrum_, _Narcissus_, _Pancratium_, and several
others.
=AMARYLLIS= (from _Amaryllis_, the name of a country-woman mentioned
by Theocritus and Virgil). ORD. _Amaryllideæ_. Half-hardy or hardy,
deciduous, bulbous plants. Flowers large, sweet-scented, pedicelled;
spathe two-leaved; umbels few-flowered; perianth with a very short
tube, funnel-shaped, six-parted, sub-regular or irregular; segments
many-nerved, broad, undulate, spreading somewhat at the apices;
stamens at the summit of the tube, unequal, declined; anthers fixed
by the middle, incumbent, curved into a circular arch after bursting;
style declined; stigma thickened, sub-three-lobed; scape tall, solid,
compressed. Capsule obovate; seeds globose, fleshy. Leaves appearing
at a different season from the scapes, numerous, strap-shaped. The
following genera are sometimes arranged hereunder, but in this work are
treated separately: _Brunsvigia_, _Crinum_, _Hippeastrum_, _Nerine_,
_Sprekelia_, _Sternbergia_, _Vallota_, _Zephyranthes_. Warm, dry, and
well-drained positions in front of hothouses, or at the base of south
or south-west walls, are the most suitable sites for _A. Belladonna_
and its varieties. The soil should be composed of good, fibrous loam,
leaf mould, and sand, in equal parts. Insert the bulbs 6in. to 8in.
deep, and surround with sand, after which they may be covered with
the compost, which should be pressed firmly about them; they should
not be again disturbed for years, when they will ultimately establish
themselves, and produce grand masses of blossom. The best time to
plant a fresh stock is June or July, when they commence root-action,
before the flower-stems are sent up. In their growing season, and in
dry weather, an occasional soaking of clear water, or liquid manure,
will be greatly beneficial. The extremely ornamental plants now
largely grown, and frequently classed as _Amaryllis_ in nurserymen's
catalogues, belong to the genus _Hippeastrum_. For pot-culture of the
Belladonna Lily, _see_ =Hippeastrum=.
[Illustration: FIG. 75. AMARYLLIS BELLADONNA, showing Habit at
Flowering Season.]
=A. Belladonna.=* Belladonna Lily. This splendid species is very
variable, both in the size and colour of the flowers, frequently
producing variously-shaded flowers, from almost white to a reddish
or purplish hue. Autumn. West Indies, 1712. See Fig. 75. The leaves
and flowers are not produced together. In Fig. 76 they are both
shown in the same illustration for economy of space.
=A. B. pallida= (pale).* A pale-coloured variety. _h._ 2ft.
=AMASONIA= (named in honour of Thomas Amason, one of the earlier
American travellers). SYN. _Taligalea_. ORD. _Verbenaceæ_. A
genus comprising six species (which may be reduced to four) of
stove sub-shrubs, natives of tropical America. Flowers yellow or
sulphur-coloured, racemose or panicled; calyx five-cleft; corolla
five-cleft, sub-bilabiate. Leaves alternate, toothed or rarely entire.
For culture of the only species introduced, _see_ =Clerodendron=.
=A. punicea= (reddish-brown). _fl._ yellow, with pretty, brownish
bracts; peduncles once or twice trifid, cymose or one-flowered.
May and June. _l._ slender, 3in. to 2in. long, oblong- or
elliptic-lanceolate, shortly acuminate, unequally toothed. Stem
erect, simple or slightly branched. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Brazil, 1884.
=AMATEUR.= This term is usually meant to refer to one who has a taste
for a particular pursuit, and who is, in a pecuniary point of view,
independent of it. An Amateur gardener is one who rears and grows his
plants, and cultivates his garden, for his own amusement--for mere love
of horticulture.
[Illustration: FIG. 76. AMARYLLIS BELLADONNA, showing Bulb and Flower
Spike.]
=AMBER, SWEET.= _See_ =Hypericum Androsæmum=.
=AMBER-TREE.= _See_ =Anthospermum=.
=AMBROSINIA= (commemorative of Professor Giacinti Ambrosini, of
Bologna). ORD. _Aroideæ_ (_Araceæ_). A curious, half-hardy, tuberous
perennial, thriving in any light soil, with protection in winter.
Increased by seeds, and by divisions. The former should be sown, as
soon as ripe, in a cool house; and the latter should be made just
previous to new growth in spring.
=A. Bassii= (Bass's).* _fl._, spathes prolonged into a long tail,
and a tongue-shaped spadix, with the male flowers on one side, and
so placed as to preclude the access of pollen to the stigma on
the other side of the spathe, save by insect agency. _l._ oblong,
stalked. _h._ 4in. Corsica, Sardinia, 1879.
=AMBURY=, or =ANBURY=. The name given to galls of small Weevils
(_Ceuthorhynchus sulcicollis_) which appear on the roots of
Cabbages and Turnips, as well as of the Wild Mustard, and of other
weeds belonging to the genus _Brassica_. The galls form swellings
individually about the size of split peas, but often two or more are
joined to form considerable masses. In each is a space inclosing a
white grub. Anbury is usually not very hurtful. It is quite distinct
from Clubbing. The galled roots should be collected, before the grubs
emerge, and burned.
=AMELANCHIER= (Savoy name of the Medlar, to which this genus is closely
allied). TRIBE _Pomaceæ_ of ORD. _Rosaceæ_. Hardy, deciduous shrubs
or small trees, with racemes of white flowers, and simple, serrated
leaves; bracteas linear-lanceolate. Pome, when mature, three to
five-celled. They are of easy cultivation, in a somewhat rich, loamy
soil, and are propagated by layers or cuttings, in autumn, in sheltered
situations; by seeds, and by grafting, in early spring, on the Hawthorn
or the Quince, or the weaker on the stronger-growing species.
=A. canadensis= (Canadian).* Grape Pear. _fl._ white. April. Pome
purple. _l._ oblong-elliptic, cuspidate, when young rather villous,
but at length glabrous. _h._ 6ft. to 8ft. Canada, 1746. A very
ornamental tree, having a profusion of flowers in early spring, and
rich autumnal foliage. SYN. _Pyrus Botryapium_.
=A. c. florida= (flowery).* _fl._ white, numerous, in upright
racemes. May. Pome purple. _l._ oblong, obtuse at both ends,
coarsely serrate in the terminal portion, glabrous in every state.
_h._ 10ft. to 20ft. North America, 1826.
=A. c. ovalis= (oval-leaved). _fl._ white; racemes pressed
together. April. _l._ roundish-elliptic, acute when rather young,
velvety beneath, glabrous when mature. _h._ 6ft. to 8ft. North
America, 1800.
=A. c. parvifolia= (small-leaved). This has a dwarfer habit, and
shorter leaves, than the type.
=A. sanguinea=, (bloody). _fl._ white; racemes capitate. April.
Pome blackish-purple. _l._ oblong, rounded at both ends, sharply
serrated, always naked. _h._ 4ft. to 8ft. North America, 1800. This
form differs principally from _A. canadensis_ in the fewer flowers,
much shorter raceme, and shorter, broader, and more ovate petals.
=A. vulgaris= (common).* _fl._ white. April. Pome darkish-purple.
_l._ roundish-oval, bluntish, pubescent beneath, at length
glabrous. _h._ 3ft. to 9ft. Europe, 1596. A desirable shrub,
producing an abundance of flowers. SYN. _Mespilus Amelanchier_.
=AMELLUS= (a name employed by Virgil for a blue, Aster-looking plant
growing on the banks of the river Mella). ORD. _Compositæ_. Pretty,
branched, ascending or diffuse, perennial herbs. Flowers in solitary
heads. Leaves hairy, lower ones opposite, upper alternate. Of very easy
culture, in ordinary garden soil. Increased by divisions, or cuttings,
inserted under glass, in spring.
=A. Lychnitis= (Lychnitis). _fl.-heads_ violet, solitary, terminal,
and lateral. June. _l._ linear, lanceolate, entire, hoary. _h._
6in. Cape of Good Hope. Evergreen, greenhouse trailer.
=AMENTUM.= A catkin. A deciduous spike of unisexual, apetalous flowers.
=AMERICAN ALMOND.= _See_ =Brabejum=.
=AMERICAN ALOE.= _See_ =Agave americana=.
=AMERICAN BLIGHT=, or =WOOLLY APHIS= (_Schizoneura lanuginosa_). The
white, cottony-looking matter which is found upon the bark of the Apple
and other trees of a similar nature, belongs to a species of Aphis,
which has short legs: the females are wingless, while the males are
winged; the latter appear in July and August. The insects belong to
a group of Aphides unprovided with honey tubes on the hinder part of
the body, and in which the third vein of the front wing shows only one
fork The woolly coating also distinguishes them from true Aphides. The
Blight is said to have been imported from America in 1787, but this is
uncertain.
As these insects get into the cracks and under the bark of trees, they
are hard to dislodge. The injury inflicted is not apparent for some
time; but, in process of time, large, cankerous wounds are produced,
which gradually (with the aid of the insects) destroy the branches, and
render the tree useless. If young trees are attacked, they are rendered
valueless in a very short time. The insects hide in crevices of the
bark of the trees each autumn, and remain dormant during the winter,
ascending to their old quarters as the weather becomes warm. Trees
which are covered with moss and lichens probably serve as places for
hybernation; hence, it is desirable to remove such hiding-places, as
well as all pieces of dead bark. To their being left may be frequently
attributed the severe attacks of Blight experienced where they exist
on trees. So soon as the cottony substance makes its appearance, one
of the following remedies should be applied, and, if persisted in for
a few seasons, the trees will be quite cleared.