than 1in. long, with an obtuse green tip; limb of petals yellow,
about half as long as the sepals; spurs 1/2in. to 3/4in. long,
slender in the lower half, nearly straight, distinctly knobbed at
the tip; stems many-flowered. May to September. _l._ biternate.
_h._ 2ft. to 4ft. North America. Border. The following are synonyms
and varieties: _A. arctica_, _A. californica_, _A. eximia_, and _A.
f. truncata_, revealing only trivial differences. There is a very
beautiful hybrid known in gardens as _A. californica hybrida_, with
the sepals and petals yellowish, or tinged with orange, while the
long slender spurs are orange red; it is one of the handsomest of
all. All the forms are very showy, and well worth growing.
=A. fragrans= (fragrant).* _fl._ white or pale claret purple,
finely pubescent, very fragrant; sepals about 1-1/2in. long, not
reflexing, twice longer than the broad petals' limb; spur slender,
slightly curved, knobbed at the top, same length as the petals;
stems few-flowered. May to July. _l._ biternate. _h._ 1-1/2ft. to
2ft. Himalayas, 1839. This requires a warm position.
=A. glandulosa= (glandular).* _fl._, sepals bright lilac blue,
about 1-1/2in. long, more than twice the length of the petals'
limb; petals white; spur 1/4in. long, or but little more, stout,
much incurved; stems one to three-flowered. Spring. _l._ biternate.
_h._ 8in. to 12in. Siberia, 1822. Extremely pretty. See Fig. 135.
=A. g. jucunda= (pleasant). _fl._ rather smaller. Very handsome
little plants, freely hybridised, and it is necessary to keep
raising fresh batches, as they are scarcely more than biennial.
=A. glauca= (glaucous). _fl._ white, tinted claret, fragrant;
sepals 1in. long, not reflexing; limb of petals 3/4in. long;
spur straight, or a little curved, about 1/3in. long; stem three
to four-flowered. June. _l._ biternate. _h._ 1ft. to 1-1/2ft.
Himalayas, 1839. Rather tender; plant in a warm dry position.
=A. leptoceras= (slender-horned). A synonym of _A. cærulea_.
=A. macrantha= (large-flowered). A synonym of _A. cærulea_.
=A. olympica= (Olympic).* _fl._ large, delicate mauve blue; petals
white, rather shorter than the sepals; spur stout, short, obtuse.
_l._ bi- or triternate, glaucous. _h._ 1-1/2ft. 1880. Mount
Olympus. See Fig. 136.
=A. pyrenaica= (Pyrenean).* _fl._, sepals bright lilac blue, about
1in. long, but not quite as much broad; limb of petals about 1/2in.
long, and half as broad; spur slender, nearly straight, or rather
incurved, nearly or quite 3/4in. long, scarcely knobbed at the end;
stem one to three-flowered, with small and little compound deep
green leaves. Summer. _h._ 9in. to 12in. Pyrenees, 1818. Plant on
the rockery.
=A. Reuteri= (Reuter's). Synonymous with _A. Bertoloni_.
=A. sibirica= (Siberian).* _fl._ bright lilac; sepals very blunt,
1in. or a little more in length, spreading or slightly reflexing
when fully expanded; limb of petals sometimes white, about 1/2in.
long; spur stout, much incurved, 1/2in. to 3/4in. long; stems
many-flowered, glabrous. Summer. _l._ biternate. _h._ 1ft. Siberia,
1806. Rockery species. Here are referred, by Mr. Baker, _A.
bicolor_, _A. Garnieriana_, and _A. speciosa_. See Fig. 137.
=A. thalictrifolia= (Thalictrum-leaved). _fl._, sepals oblong,
acute, lilac blue, about 1/2in. long; limb of petals about as long,
and rounded at the top; spurs slender, not quite as long as the
sepals; stems about three-flowered. Summer. _l._ with three-stalked
segments cut into deep oblong lobes. _h._ 2ft. Tyrol, 1879. Entire
plant clothed with fine pubescence.
=A. viridiflora= (green-flowered). _fl._, sepals oval-oblong,
shorter than the petals; spurs straight and longer than the petals;
stems two to three-flowered. _h._ 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. Siberia, 1780.
Border. Rather a pleasing and sweet-scented green-flowered species,
but not very ornamental.
=A. vulgaris= (common). Common Columbine. _fl._ variously coloured;
sepals ovate acute, about 1in. long, and half as broad; limb of the
petal rarely exceeding 3/4in. long, and half as much broad, rounded
at the apex; spur much incurved, stout, knobbed at the end, as long
as the petals; stems many-flowered. Spring and early summer. _l._
biternate. England, &c. There are numerous varieties of this very
handsome species, both double and single-flowered.
=A. v. alba= (white). _fl._ pure white.
=A. v. a. fl.-pl.= Double white flowers.
=A. v. cærulea nana fl.-pl.= Very dwarf, with double deep blue
flowers.
=A. v. hybrida= (hybrid). _fl._, sepals lilac purple,
oblong-lanceolate, less than 1in. long; limb of the petals white,
about 1/2in. long; spur scarcely incurved.
=A. v. Vervæneana.= This variety has pretty yellow mottled foliage.
[Illustration: FIG. 136. AQUILEGIA OLYMPICA, showing Habit and Flower.]
[Illustration: FIG. 137. AQUILEGIA SIBIRICA FLORE-PLENO, showing Habit
and Flower.]
=A. v. Wittmanniana= (Wittmann's). _fl._ large, bright lilac
purple; sepals ovate-acute, 1in. to 1-1/4in. long, more than half
as much broad; limb of petals white, about half the length of
sepals; spur curved. A very fine variety.
The following names are also met with in gardens, some of which
represent specific forms, but none are effective as garden
ornaments: _advena_, _Burgeriana_, _Haylodgensis_ (hybrid),
_grata_, _longissima_, _nevadensis_, _oxysepala_, &c.
=AQUOSUS.= Watery.
=ARABIS= (origin of the word not clear). Wall Cress; Rock Cress. ORD.
_Cruciferæ_. Hardy perennial trailers, except where otherwise stated.
Flowers mostly white; racemes terminal; pedicels bractless. Radical
leaves usually stalked; cauline ones sessile or stem-clasping, entire
or toothed, rarely lobed. Most members of this genus are peculiarly
well adapted for rockwork and the alpine garden, both from their
natural hardihood as well as their early and profuse flowering habits.
They are of the easiest possible culture in any dry soil. The perennial
species may either be increased by divisions of the root, by cuttings,
placed in a shady border during the summer, or by seed. The latter
may be sown outside, or in pans, in spring, when most of them will
germinate in two or three weeks. The annuals and biennials are for the
most part devoid of any cultural beauty.
=A. albida= (whitish).* _fl._ white; racemes terminal; pedicels
longer than the calyx. January to May. _l._ few-toothed, hoary, or
downy with branched hairs; radical ones obovate-oblong; cauline
ones cordately sagittate, clasping the stem. _h._ 6in. to 9in.
Tauria and Caucasus, 1798. SYN. _A. caucasica_.
=A. a. variegata= (variegated).* A very pretty variegated form for
edgings.
[Illustration: FIG. 138. ARABIS ALPINA, showing Habit and Flowers.]
=A. alpina= (alpine).* _fl._ white, smaller than those of _A.
albida_; racemes terminal; pedicels longer than the calyx, which
is smoothish. March to May. _l._ many-toothed, lanceolate, acute,
villous with branched hairs; radical ones somewhat stalked; cauline
ones cordate, clasping the stem. _h._ 6in. European rocks, in
sunny places, 1596. There are one or two varieties, including a
variegated-leaved form, in cultivation. See Fig. 138.
[Illustration: FIG. 139. ARABIS ARENOSA, showing Habit and Flowers.]
=A. arenosa= (sand-loving).* _fl._ rose coloured, very rarely white
or bluish; petals obovate; pedicels spreading. April to July. _l._
villous, with forked hairs; radical ones pinnatifid, with the upper
lobes much larger than the lower; cauline ones deeply toothed. Stem
branched, hispid, with simple hairs. _h._ 6in. Middle Europe, 1798.
See Fig. 139.
=A. blepharophylla= (fringed-leaved).* _fl._ rosy purple; petals
roundish, narrowing to the base, with slender claws. Spring. _l._
naked, except the margins, which are fringed with very stiff hairs;
radical ones spathulate; cauline ones oblong, sessile. _h._ 3in. to
4in. California, 1874. This succeeds best in a cool frame, where it
will flower in January.
=A. caucasica= (Caucasus). A synonym of _A. albida_.
=A. lucida= (shining).* _fl._ white; petals entire, narrowed at the
base, twice as long as the calyx. Summer. _l._ obovate, thickish,
shining, clasping the stem. _h._ 4in. to 6in. Hungary, 1790. A very
pretty species, with a dwarf habit; it is especially adapted for
edgings, borders, or rockwork.
=A. l. variegata= (variegated).* A great improvement upon the type,
being broadly edged with yellow, and the green somewhat lighter.
When grown in tufts or as edging, it is very effective, and should
be prevented from flowering. This exceedingly desirable variety
is a gem for the rockwork, and when seen in crevices, or in bold
tufts, it is very striking. It must be increased by slips or
rootlets, which should be taken in early summer.
=A. mollis= (soft). _fl._ white, in terminal racemes. May to July.
_l._ grossly toothed, somewhat pubescent, with small stellate
hairs; lower ones on long petioles, cordate-roundish; cauline ones
ovate-cordate, clasping the stem. _h._ 2ft. Caucasus, 1823.
=A. petræa= (rock).* _fl._ white; petals ovate, with stalks.
June. _l._ smooth, ciliated or scabrous, with simple or bifid
radical ones on longish stalks, entire, toothed; cauline ones
oblong-linear, entire, or toothed. _h._ 3in. or 4in. Britain.
=A. præcox= (early). _fl._ white; petals obovately cuneated,
double the length of the calyx. April to June. _l._ oblong, acute,
sessile, quite entire, smooth. Stem covered with close pressed
rigid hairs. _h._ 6in. to 9in. Hungary.
=A. procurrens= (procurrent). _fl._ white; petals obovate, double
the length of the calyx. May and June. _l._ ovate, quite entire,
smooth, ciliated with two-parted hairs; radical ones narrowed into
a petiole; cauline ones sessile, pointed. Stolons creeping. _h._
9in. Servia, 1819. There is a brilliantly variegated form of this
pretty species well worth growing.
=A. rosea= (rosy).* _fl._ rosy purple; petals oblong, somewhat
wedge-shaped, double the length of the calyx; pedicels longer
than the calyx. May to July. _l._, cauline ones oblong, somewhat
cordate, and rather stem-clasping, scabrous with branched hairs.
_h._ 1ft. Calabria, 1832.
=A. verna= (spring). _fl._ small, purple, with a white claw;
pedicels shorter than the calyx. May to June. _l._, cauline ones
cordate, clasping the stem, toothed, scabrous with three-parted
hairs. _h._ 3in. to 6in. South Europe, 1710. The best annual
species.
=ARACEÆ= or =AROIDEÆ=. An extensive order of herbaceous plants, with
tuberous rhizomes. Flowers on a spadix, unisexual or hermaphrodite,
protected by a spathe. Leaves large, radical. Well known genera
belonging to this order are: _Alocasia_, _Arum_, _Caladium_,
_Colocasia_, and _Dieffenbachia_.
=ARACHIS= (from _a_, without, and _rachis_, a branch; plant
branchless). Ground or Earth Nut. ORD. _Leguminosæ_. A stove annual,
of economical value. Corolla resupinate; calyx a long tube, with a
bilabiate limb; ovary stipitate, inclosed in the tube of the calyx; the
stipe at first short, but afterwards becoming elongated. Sandy loam is
the soil most suitable for their cultivation. Seeds should be sown in
heat; and, when the plants have grown to a sufficient size, they should
be potted off singly, and placed among other stove annuals. After the
plant has finished flowering, and the pods begin to lengthen, the
pedicels force them into the earth, where they ripen their seeds.
=A. hypogæa= (underground). Monkey Nut. _fl._ yellow, five to seven
together in the axils of the leaves. May. _l._ abruptly-pinnate,
bearing two pairs of leaflets, without any tendril; stipulas
elongated, adnate to the petioles. _h._ 1ft., or procumbent. South
America, 1812. See Fig. 140.
=ARACHNIMORPHA.= A synonym of =Rondeletia= (which _see_).
=ARACHNOID.= Resembling a cobweb in appearance; seeming to be covered
with cobweb, in consequence of the entanglement of long, white hairs.
[Illustration: FIG. 140. ARACHIS HYPOGÆA, showing Leaf, Flower, &c.,
and Cluster of short wrinkled Pods.]
=ARALIA= (meaning unknown). ORD. _Araliaceæ_. This widely-grown genus
includes stove, greenhouse, and hardy, herbaceous and shrubby plants.
Flowers inconspicuous, umbellate, the umbels usually disposed in
panicles; petals five, inserted on the margin of the disk; stamens five
(see Fig. 142). Leaves usually compound. These plants are of moderately
free growth, and the majority are easy to manage. Those requiring
indoor treatment thrive well under the ordinary routine of management.
One most important requirement, however, is that they must be kept well
supplied with water at the roots. The finer, or stove varieties, should
be potted in a mixture of sandy loam and peat, with the addition of a
little fibrous leaf soil, and sufficient sand to keep the whole porous.
The stronger growing kinds thrive in a richer compost. Propagation
by cuttings of the roots is a common and very successful method. To
obtain the roots, one of the strongest plants should be turned out of
the pot, and the roots should be cleared of soil by shaking or washing
it out; the requisite number of pieces should then be selected. As
each piece is removed, it should have the end nearest the stem cut
horizontally, to distinguish it from the other or furthermost end. In
planting cuttings of the roots, it is best to place the end nearest the
stem uppermost. The pieces may be left about 2in. long, and should be
inserted in pots, well drained, and filled with sandy soil, leaving
the tops of the cuttings about level with the surface of the soil. A
square of glass must be placed over the top of each pot, plunging them
in moderate bottom heat. The stems of the plants from which the roots
have been taken may be cut into pieces 1in. or 1-1/2in. long, leaving
an eye or bud near the top; a slice of half the shoot may be taken off
opposite the bud. When prepared, these pieces should be pressed into
pots of sand or sandy soil, and plunged into bottom heat. The stems may
be cut down without disturbing the roots; in that case, if the pots
are plunged in bottom heat, and kept moderately supplied with water,
they will probably throw up several suckers or shoots from the roots.
These, if taken off with a portion of root to each, and placed in small
sized pots, will, with a little care, soon make useful plants. All the
hardy species and most of the greenhouse ones are propagated readily
by cuttings or pieces of roots. Some of the stove species, however,
are very difficult to increase, except by grafting. Among these are
_A. leptophylla_, _A. Veitchii_, &c. These should be worked on stocks
of _A. Guilfoylei_ or _A. reticulata_, the latter being the better of
the two. Cuttings of either of these strike readily, and stocks fit
for grafting are easily procured. In sheltered and warm positions, the
greenhouse species are admirably suited for sub-tropical gardening,
either planted singly or in groups. _See_ also =Dimorphanthus=,
=Fatsia=, =Hedera=, =Heptapleurum=, =Monopanax=, =Oreopanax=, and
=Panax=.
=A. canescens= (greyish). A garden synonym of _A. chinensis_.
=A. Chabrierii= (Chabrier's).* _l._ alternate, pinnate, about a
foot long; pinnæ opposite, 6in. to 9in. long, linear-lanceolate,
deep green, with a heavy crimson midrib. 1882. Suitable for table
decoration. A charming stove species.
[Illustration: FIG. 141. ARALIA CHINENSIS.]
=A. chinensis= (Chinese).* _fl._ white; panicles terminal;
peduncles umbelliferous. _l._ petiolate, coriaceous, woolly on both
surfaces when young (only); pinnæ seven, ovate, serrated at the
apex, erect and distinct. _h._ 5ft. to 6ft. 1838. This species, if
planted in a soil with a dry porous bottom, will prove to be hardy.
SYN. _A. canescens_, of gardens. See Fig. 141.
=A. concinna= (neat). _l._ unequally pinnate; pinnæ lobed and
serrate. Stem spotted. New Caledonia, 1879. A handsome stove
species, but very rare. SYNS. _A. spectabilis_, _Delarbrea
spectabilis_.
=A. crassifolia= (thick-leaved). A synonym of _Pseudopanax
crassifolium_.
=A. edulis= (edible).* _fl._ numerous, white; umbels globose,
axillary and terminal, united into simple or compound racemes.
Summer. _l._, lower ones pinnate, with five leaflets, or three
pinnate, with divisions of three to five leaflets; upper ones
generally simple, with stalked leaflets, having a cordate base,
ovate, acute, finely toothed, downy. _h._ 4ft. to 6ft. Japan, 1843.
Hardy, herbaceous, perennial, hairy, and spineless.
=A. elegantissima= (most elegant).* _l._ digitate, on long dark
green footstalks, which are mottled with white; leaflets seven
to ten, filiform, and, being pendulous, impart a very graceful
character to the plant. Stem straight, erect. South Sea Islands,
1873. Stove species, excellent for table decoration.
=A. filicifolia= (fern-leaved).* _l._, leafstalks sheathing at
the base, and terete in the upper part, expanding into a broad
leafy limb which is impari-pinnately divided; pinnæ opposite,
deeply pinnatifid, bright green, with a purplish midrib. Stem
and leafstalks purplish, thickly marked with oblong white spots.
Polynesia, 1876.
=A. gracillima= (most graceful). Synonymous with _A. Veitchii
gracillima_.
=A. Guilfoylei= (Guilfoyle's).* _l._ pinnate, on long smooth terete
petioles; leaflets oblong-elliptic, bluntish, from three to seven,
they are sometimes obscurely lobed, and irregularly spinose,
serrate, varying in size from 2in. to 3in. long, neatly and
evenly margined with creamy white, the surface being in addition
occasionally splashed with grey. Stem erect, copiously dotted with
lenticular markings. South Sea Islands, 1876. Stove species.
=A. heteromorpha= (many-formed).* _l._ sometimes ovate-lanceolate
and serrated, and at others bifid or even trifid at the apex, about
6in. to 8in. or 9in. long, bright shining green. A very desirable
species, of robust and compact habit.
=A. japonica= (Japanese). Another name for _Fatsia japonica_.
=A. Kerchoveana= (Count Kerchove's). _l._ digitate, almost
circular in outline; leaflets nine to eleven, spreading,
elliptic-lanceolate, conspicuously serrated or undulated margins,
of a deep glossy green relieved by a pale midrib. 1883. A very
elegant slender-stemmed plant from the South Sea Islands, and
likely to prove valuable for decorative purposes. Stove species.
=A. leptophylla= (slender-leaved).* _l._ compound, bearing often
seven or more petiolate leaflets of a somewhat pendent character,
and dark green in colour. 1862. An elegant stove or greenhouse
slender growing species.
=A. longipes= (long-stalked). _l._ digitate, long stalked, and
rather distant; leaflets oblanceolate acuminate, slightly undulated
at the edge; petioles elongated. Stems simple. North Australia,
1882. A very distinct erect-growing evergreen stove species.
=A. maculata= (spotted). _l._ of a light green colour; leaflets
oblong-acuminate, in about four pairs. Stem erect, which, as well
as the stalks of the leaves, is of a blackish-purple hue, thickly
spotted with green dots. This peculiar colouring is very distinct
and conspicuous. South Pacific Islands. Stove species.
=A. Maximowiczii= (Maximowicz's).* _l._ on long stalks, palmately
five to seven-lobed; lobes lanceolate, 3-1/2in. long, serrate.
Japan, 1874. An elegant and distinct hardy shrub, with erect spiny
stem. SYN. _Acanthopanax ricinifolium_.
=A. monstrosa= (monstrous).* _l._ pendent, pinnate; leaflets three
to seven, oblong elliptic, deeply and irregularly serrated (this
serration sometimes takes most fantastic forms), broadly margined
with creamy white, the surface blotched with grey. South Sea
Islands, 1880. Stove species.
=A. nudicaulis= (naked-stemmed).* _fl._ greenish; scape trifid
at the apex, shorter than the leaf, each division bearing a
many-flowered umbel. June. _l._ radical, the divisions pinnately
five foliate; leaflets oblong-oval, with a long tapering point,
serrate. Root horizontal, very long. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. North
America, 1731. Quite hardy, herbaceous perennial.
=A. Osyana= (Osyan).* Resembling _A. leptophylla_, but with
leaflets deeply bifid at the ends; surface colour bright green;
primary veins and tips of the leaflets chocolate brown. South Sea
Islands, 1870. Very elegant stove species.
=A. pentaphylla= (five-leaved).* _l._ digitate, or sometimes only
three leaflets are produced, each varying from 6in. to 10in.
in length, and from 1in. to 2in. in breadth, deeply lobed or
pinnatifid, bright shining green. Stem arboreous, prickly. _h._
20ft. Japan. SYN. _Panax spinosa_.
=A. p. variegata= (variegated). _l._ broadly edged with creamy
white. Japan, 1874.
=A. quercifolia= (oak-leaved).* _l._ opposite, trifoliate; leaflets
deeply sinuate; lower petioles about 3in. long, light shining
green. New Britain, 1880. Very pretty stove species.
[Illustration: FIG. 142. FLOWER OF ARALIA RACEMOSA, enlarged.]
=A. racemosa= (raceme-flowering).* _fl._ greenish-white, petals
spreading; peduncles axillary, disposed in a terminal raceme,
umbelliferous. June. _l._ petioles tripartite, the partitions
bearing each three to five ovate or cordate, acuminated, serrated,
smoothish leaflets. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. North America, 1658. Hardy
herbaceous species, highly ornamental. See Fig. 142.
=A. reticulata= (netted). _l._ alternate, strap-shaped when young,
becoming larger with age, dark green, reticulated with a lighter
shade of the same colour. A very handsome species, requiring stove
heat during winter. In spring and summer it is admirably suited
for conservatory or indoor decoration, having a light and graceful
aspect.
=A. rotunda= (round). _l._ sometimes of a single leaflet only,
which is spreading, orbicular, cordate at the base, margined with
distinct white tipped teeth; at other times, especially when
approaching maturity, the leaves are trifoliate, the leaflets being
rounded and toothed, and the terminal one being about double the
size of the lateral ones. Stems erect, brownish-green, spotted when
young with pale elongate blotches. Polynesia, 1882.
=A. Scheffleri= (Scheffler's). _l._ on long petioles, digitate;
leaflets five, petiolulate, lanceolate, attenuated at the base,
serrulated, glabrous on both surfaces. Stem shrubby, smooth. New
Zealand. Greenhouse species.
=A. spectabilis= (showy). A synonym of _A. concinna_.
=A. spinosa= (thorny).* Angelica Tree. _l._ doubly and triply
pinnate; leaflets ovate, acuminated, deeply serrated. Stem simple,
prickly (as are also the petioles), forming into an umbrella-like
head, deciduous. _h._ 8ft. to 12ft. North America, 1688. A very
fine hardy species for sheltered spots.
=A. spinulosa= (small-spined). _l._ alternate, pinnate; pinnæ ovate
acuminate, dark green, margined with little reddish-crimson spines
or prickles. Stems and petioles spotted and suffused with crimson.
1880. A bold and robust stove plant.
=A. ternata= (three-leafleted).* _l._ opposite, ternate; leaflets
oblong-lanceolate; margins in some cases deeply serrate, in others
sinuate, light green. New Britain, 1879. A slender growing species.
=A. trifolia= (three-leaved). A synonym of _Pseudopanax Lessonii_.
[Illustration: FIG. 143. ARALIA VEITCHII.]
=A. Veitchii= (Veitch's).* _l._ digitate, with about eleven
filiform undulated leaflets, glossy green above, dark red beneath;
petioles long and slender. New Caledonia, 1867. A very handsome
(said to be the best) species, with slender, erect growing stem.
See Fig. 143, for which we are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons.