ones stalked, upper ones sessile. July. _l._ all palmate, multifid,
white. Stem quite simple. _h._ 6in. European Alps, 1815.
=A. pontica= (Pontine). _fl.-heads_ yellow, roundish, stalked,
nodding. September. _l._ downy beneath; cauline ones bipinnate;
leaflets linear. _h._ 3ft. Austria, 1570.
=A. rupestris= (rock). _fl.-heads_ brown, globose, stalked,
nodding. August. _l._ sub-pubescent; cauline ones pinnatifid;
leaflets linear, acute. _h._ 6in. Norway, &c., 1748.
=A. scoparia= (twiggy-branched). _fl.-heads_ small, whitish;
panicle broad, densely packed, about 1-1/2ft. long. Autumn. _l._
much divided; segments hair-like; lower branches very slender. _h._
3ft. to 5ft. East Europe.
=A. spicata= (spicate). _fl.-heads_ brown, spicate. June and
July. _l._ hoary; radical ones palmate multifid; cauline ones
pinnatifid; upper linear, entire, blunt. Stem quite simple. _h._
1ft. Switzerland, 1790.
=A. Stelleriana= (Steller's).* _fl.-heads_ yellow, uninteresting,
round, somewhat erect. Summer. _l._, lower ones spathulate-incised;
upper ones obtusely lobed; end lobes often confluent, about 2in.
long, silvery white. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Siberia.
=A. tanacetifolia= (Tanacetum-leaved). _fl.-heads_ brownish;
racemes simple, terminal. Summer. _l._ bipinnate; lobes linear
sub-lanceolate, entire, acuminated, rather downy. Stem sometimes
branching at the base, herbaceous. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Siberia, 1768.
=A. vulgaris= (common).* Mugwort. _fl.-heads_ yellow, somewhat
racemed, ovate. August. _l._ pinnatifid; segments white, and downy
beneath. Stems 3ft. to 4ft. high, furrowed. Britain. The variegated
form of this species exhibits a very pleasing contrast. There is
also a pretty variety with golden leaves.
=ARTHROPHYLLUM MADAGASCARIENSE.= _See_ =Phyllarthron Bojeriana=.
=ARTHROPODIUM= (from _arthron_, a joint, and _pous_, a foot; the
footstalks of the flowers being jointed). ORD. _Liliaceæ_. Very pretty
greenhouse herbaceous perennials, allied to _Anthericum_. Flowers
purplish or white, in loose racemes. Leaves grass-like, radical. They
thrive well in a compost of sandy loam and peat, and may be increased
freely by divisions or seeds.
=A. cirratum= (curled). _fl._ white; racemes divided; bracteas
leafy. May. _l._ lanceolate, ensiform, spreading, 1ft. long. _h._
3ft. New Zealand, 1821.
=A. fimbriatum= (fringed). _fl._ white. July. _h._ 1-1/2ft. New
Holland, 1822.
=A. neo-caledonicum= (New Caledonian).* _fl._ small, white,
on a much-branched, many-flowered panicle. May. _l._ tufted,
linear-lanceolate, barred with black linear markings near the base.
_h._ 1-1/2ft. New Caledonia, 1877.
=A. paniculatum= (panicled).* _fl._ white; racemes divided;
pedicels clustered; inner sepals crenulate. May. _l._ narrowly
lanceolate. _h._ 3ft. New South Wales, 1800. _A. minus_ is a small
form of this species.
=A. pendulum= (pendulous).* _fl._ white, clustered in threes,
pendulous. June to August. _l._ linear, keeled, shorter than the
branched scape. _h._ 1-1/2ft. New Holland, 1822.
=ARTHROPTERIS.= _See_ =Nephrodium= and =Nephrolepis=.
=ARTHROSTEMMA= (from _arthron_, a joint, and _stemon_, a stamen;
in reference to the stamens or connectives being jointed). ORD.
_Melastomaceæ_. Beautiful stove or greenhouse evergreen shrubs. Tube of
calyx turbinate or campanulate, usually clothed with bristles, pili,
or scales; lobes four, lanceolate, permanent, without any appendages
between them; petals four. A mixture of loam, peat, and sand, suits
them best; and cuttings of small firm side shoots will root, in April
or August, under a hand glass in sandy soil. Only three or four out
of the half-dozen species belonging to this genus have been as yet
introduced.
=A. fragile= (brittle). _fl._ rosy; cymes loose, terminal,
few-flowered; calyx glandular. July. _l._ ovate-cordate, acute,
five-nerved, serrated; branches tetragonal, beset with glandular
hairs. _h._ 3ft. Mexico, 1846. Stove species.
=A. nitida= (glossy-leaved). _fl._ lilac; peduncles axillary
towards the top of the branches, three-flowered, longer than the
petioles. June. _l._ ovate, acute, serrulated, glabrous on both
surfaces, shining above, but glandularly hispid on the nerves
beneath. Stems shrubby, erect, and are, as well as the branches,
tetragonally winged, beset with coloured hairs. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft.
Buenos Ayres, 1829 greenhouse species.
=A. versicolor= (changeable-flowered). _fl._, petals obovate,
ciliated, at first white, but at length becoming reddish,
terminal, solitary. September. _l._ petiolate, ovate, serrulated,
five-nerved, discoloured beneath. Plant shrubby; hairy. _h._ 1ft.
Brazil (on the sea shore), 1825. Stove species.
=ARTHROTAXIS.= _See_ =Athrotaxis=.
=ARTICHOKE, GLOBE.= (_Cynara Scolymus_, a cultivated form of _C.
Cardunculus_). As a vegetable, the Globe Artichoke is cultivated for
the use of the immature flower-heads, and is highly esteemed. A good
open position, free from overhanging trees, is best suited for its
culture generally, but, by planting successional suckers in different
aspects, the season may be considerably prolonged. The soil must be
of good depth, rich, and not too heavy. It may be greatly improved
for Artichoke culture by the addition of sea-weeds or salt applied as
manure.
[Illustration: FIG. 151. GLOBE ARTICHOKE.]
_Preparation of Soil._ Trench the ground two spits deep if possible,
mixing a liberal dressing of well-rotted manure in autumn, and ridge
up for the winter, to sweeten. Crude manure full of straw, leaves,
and sticks, often induce fungoid growths, and are most injurious to
the crowns of the plants. Clay or stiff loam is about the worst soil
on which to attempt the culture of this vegetable; this drawback may,
however, to some extent be alleviated by the addition and thorough
amalgamation of a light free soil or liberal dressings of sandy road
drifts, or similar materials. An ill-drained soil is also fatal to good
results. During hot, dry weather, the plants are greatly benefited by
copious applications of clear water and dilute liquid manure; and this
must be especially attended to on such soils as are liable to burn or
dry up in summer.
_Cultivation._ When the beds have been properly prepared, the plants
should be put in them in April or May. Place three together in rows
between 3ft. and 4ft. apart, and about 3ft. from plant to plant.
Water-in carefully to settle the soil around the roots, and apply a
mulching of half-decayed manure, to prevent an undue evaporation of
moisture. During hot, dry weather, give liberal supplies of water, and
the plants will become established as fine stools the first season.
A few heads will probably be produced the first year; but there will
not be much of a crop until the second season, when five or six good
heads will be got from each plant, and for three or four years the
produce will be large if the beds are properly attended to; after
which time it will become desirable to make up new plantations. In
October or November, it will be necessary to apply a good mulching
of straw or fern to the beds, to protect the plants from frost. In
April, all this litter should be cleaned off, a dressing of rotten
manure applied, and the beds forked over and kept clean for the rest
of the season, treating as before described. Great care must be taken
to remove the heads as soon as they are in a fit state; and, when the
whole of them are removed from the stems, cut the latter out as low
as possible. Globe Artichokes will keep for some considerable time if
laid in a cool place, although they will deteriorate in quality. These
plants may be used in the background of flower borders in the kitchen
garden, their handsome foliage being peculiarly well adapted for such
purposes, whilst their economical value is also secured. See Fig. 151.
Where there is plenty of room in light, warm sheds, orchard houses, or
other places where frost can be kept out, some stools can be taken up
with the root intact in the early part of November, placed in boxes
of soil, and well watered-in. When drained, the boxes may be put in
any of those positions for their winter quarters, and, if kept moist,
will develop much earlier than the outdoor crops, provided they are
planted out early in April on a warm border, and protected with mats
when the weather is cold. Propagation may be effected by seeds, or by
suckers from the old stools, the latter being the better plan. In the
former case, sow the seeds in March, on a gentle hotbed, and prick
the seedlings off singly, when large enough, into small pots. Harden
off by the last week in May, and plant out in threes as previously
recommended, protecting the plants from late frosts. During the growing
season, give an abundance of water and liquid manure mulching, to
prevent undue evaporation. In November, well cover with dry litter
which will not heat; and, in hard frosts, or heavy snow, throw a few
mats over the beds, uncovering at the same time as recommended above
for the older plants. To propagate by rooted offsets or suckers, take
up and divide the stools, when they have made a fair amount of growth
in April or early in May, separating the suckers with as many roots and
as much soil adhering to them as possible. The old woody portions are
of little use, but they may be replanted to give off a fresh supply of
suckers for the next year, if required. Propagation by suckers, if they
are to be obtained, has many advantages; but care must be taken, in
removing them from old plants, that some roots are attached, or growth
will be uncertain. Seeds generally produce a large percentage of plants
that are useless, and this is not found out until the flower-heads
appear. On the other hand, suckers reproduce the parent plant, and
if these are previously selected, the superior stock is thereby
perpetuated.
_Sorts._ The Green and Purple are the best for ordinary purposes; and
of these preference should be given to the former. _See also_ =Cynara=.
=ARTICHOKE, JERUSALEM= (_Helianthus tuberosus_). A hardy
tuberous-rooted herbaceous perennial, native of Brazil. The roots are
used as a vegetable principally during the winter, sometimes as a dish,
but more generally for flavouring purposes. Plants will grow in almost
any position, but the best results and largest tubers are obtained
where they receive plenty of room and liberal treatment. Their culture
has been recommended as a substitute for the potato, but they are not
likely to take the place of this vegetable, the flavour being disliked
by many persons. A few are, however, generally acceptable.
_Cultivation._ To ensure the most successful results, trench over a
piece of ground in autumn, and give a light dressing of manure. Fork
over in March; at the same time plant good-shaped tubers (see Fig.
152) in rows about 3ft. apart, and allow from 18in. to 2ft. between the
tubers in the rows. Keep clear of weeds; and, as soon as the foliage
is yellow, in the latter part of the autumn, the roots will be fit for
use. The best plan with this crop is to leave it in the ground till
wanted, or till the end of February, and then to take up every tuber,
replanting those which are wanted for stock, and storing the others
away in a cold dry place. When they commence growth, they turn black,
and are of little use for cooking, save for flavouring soups. This
vegetable has of late years grown into favour as a marketable crop, and
the demand seems to be increasing. Considering its very easy culture,
it is fairly remunerative. _See also_ =Helianthus=.
[Illustration: FIG. 152. TUBERS OF JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE.]
=ARTICULATE, ARTICULATED.= Jointed; having joints.
=ARTILLERY PLANT.= _See_ =Pilea microphylla=.
=ARTOCARPEÆ.= A tribe of the large order _Urticaceæ_.
=ARTOCARPUS= (from _artos_, bread, and _carpos_, fruit; the fruit, when
baked, resembling bread). Bread Fruit. SYNS. _Polyphema_, _Rademachia_,
_Rima_. ORD. _Urticaceæ_. TRIBE _Artocarpeæ_. Included in this most
remarkable tribe, in addition to the Bread Fruit Tree, is the virulent
poisonous _Antiaris toxicaria_, and the economic Cow Tree (_Brosimum
Galactodendron_), of Caraccas. A genus of stove evergreen trees,
requiring a high and very moist atmosphere, a copious supply of water,
perfect drainage, and a compost of two parts rich loam and one of leaf
mould, with the addition of a little silver sand. Under all conditions,
this genus is difficult to propagate; the young and slender lateral
growths are adapted for cuttings; and suckers may be utilised when
procurable, which is very rare.
=A. Cannoni= (Cannon's).* _l._ alternate, petiolate; petiole and
midrib bright red; upper surface glossy, of a rich, full bronzy
crimson hue, beautifully tinted with purple; under surface bright
vinous red. The leaves vary much in form; some are simple and
cordate at the base, with the apex irregularly lobate; some have
the apex regularly three-lobed, with short, entire lobes; and
others, again, are deep three-lobed, being divided nearly to the
base, the segments, of which the centre one is largest, being
slightly sinuate-lobed. _h._ 7ft. Society Islands, 1877. This is a
most distinct and handsome ornamental-leaved plant.
=A. incisa= (incised).* True Bread Fruit. _l._ from 2ft. to 3ft.
long, deeply lobed or incised, deep green on the upper side, paler
below. _h._ 50ft. South Sea Islands, 1793. This is a noble tree
when full grown, and forms a most distinct and beautiful stove
plant. The extraordinary fruit is produced from the axils of the
leaves in large globular heads, and is highly valued as an article
of food in its native country.
=A. integrifolia= (entire-leaved). _l._ oblong, undivided,
sinuated, scabrous, downy beneath. _h._ 30ft. India, 1778.
=A. laciniata metallica= (laciniate, metallic). _l._ bronzy above,
reddish purple beneath. Polynesia.
[Illustration: FIG. 153. ARUM MACULATUM.]
=ARUM= (formerly _aron_, and probably of Egyptian extraction). ORD.
_Aroideæ_. A large genus of ornamental or curious, hardy, greenhouse
or stove perennials, with thick rhizomes and pedate or hastate leaves.
Spathe large, convolute; spadix naked and club-shaped at the top. They
are all of easy culture, and the indoor species will thrive with such
treatment as is given to _Alocasias_, _Caladiums_, &c. Rich soil is
one of the first conditions of success. Like most plants grown for the
beauty of their foliage, rapid and free growth is necessary. A compost
of good rich loam, with a third of sweet manure, thoroughly rotted, or
leaf mould, with some sharp sand, is very suitable. Plenty of moisture
is necessary during the growing season, after which the tender kinds
should be kept moderately dry, warm, and at rest during the winter. The
hardy kinds may be left in the ground. Propagated by seeds or division
of the roots--usually the latter. The best time to divide them is just
as they commence their new growth, securing as many roots as possible
to each division. Any rootless pieces should be placed in heat shortly
after removal; this hastens the formation of roots and excites top
growth. Arums are useful in sub-tropical gardening, and are otherwise
interesting plants both for indoors and outside cultivation; and the
hardy kinds are very suitable for naturalising in woodlands, &c. There
are many other species besides those here described, but the following
list comprises the best. Sub-sections of the genus will be found
treated separately, such as =Amorphophallus= (which _see_), &c.
[Illustration: FIG. 154. ARUM DRACUNCULUS.]
=A. bulbosum= (bulbous). Synonymous with _A. ternatum_.
=A. Dracontium= (Green Dragon). _fl._, spadix subulate, longer than
the oblong convolute green spathe. June. _l._ pedate, entire. _h._
2ft. North America, 1759. Hardy.
=A. Dracunculus= (Common Dragon).* _fl._, spadix lanceolate,
shorter than the ovate, flat, smooth, brown spathe. July. _l._
pedate, entire. _h._ 3ft. South Europe, 1548. Hardy. SYN.
_Dracunculus vulgaris_. See Fig. 154.
=A. indicum= (Indian). _See_ =Colocasia indica=.
=A. italicum= (Italian).* _fl._, spathe ventricose below, opening
nearly flat and very broad above; apex often falling over very
shortly after expansion, sometimes greenish yellow, at others
nearly white; spadix yellowish or creamy white, club-shaped, about
one-third as long as the spathe. Spring. _l._ appearing before
winter, radical, triangular-hastate. _h._ 9in. to 2ft. Channel
Islands and Cornwall, &c. Hardy.
=A. i. marmorata= (marbled).* _l._ marbled with yellow. A very
pretty and effective hardy border plant.
=A. maculatum= (spotted). Lords and Ladies; Cuckoo Pint. _fl._,
spathe ventricose below and above, constricted in the middle, with
inflexed edges when open, spotted with dull purple; spadix usually
purple, shorter than the spathe. Spring. _l._ vernal radical,
hastate-sagittate, with deflexed lobes. _h._ 9in. Britain, &c. This
species is admirably adapted for a corner in the wild garden. See
Fig. 153.
=A. Malyi= (Maly's). _fl._ whitish. Montenegro, 1860.
=A. Nickelli= (Nickel's). Levant, 1859. A form of _A. italicum_.
=A. orientale= (eastern). _fl._ resembling those of _A. maculatum_.
June. _l._ brownish, simple, ovate, slightly sagittate. _h._ 1ft.
Tauria, 1820. Hardy.
=A. palæstinum= (Palestine).* _fl._, spathe 7in. to 11in. long,
purplish blotched or spotted outside, rich velvety black inside and
yellowish white at the base of the tube; spadix much shorter than
the spathe; petiole usually rising 8in. or 9in. above the leaves.
May. _l._ four or five, triangular-hastate, acute, from 6in. to
14in. long, and from 3-1/2in. to 7-1/2in. broad; petioles 12in. to
18in. long. Jerusalem, 1864. Tender.
=A. pictum= (painted). _h._ 2ft. Corsica, 1801. Hardy.
=A. proboscideum= (proboscis-like).* _fl._, spathe greenish purple,
navicular, horizontal, terminated by a straight tail; scapes
arising from among the petioles. May. _l._ radical, about four,
cordate-elliptic, entire. _h._ 6in. South Europe, 1823. Hardy.
=A. spectabile= (showy). _fl._, spathe ovate-oblong, acuminate,
dark purplish inside, longer than the purplish spadix. _l._ broadly
hastate-sagittate. _h._ 1ft. Asia Minor. Half-hardy.
=A. spirale= (spiral). _fl._, spadix lanceolate, shorter than
the oblong-lanceolate spirally twisted brown spathe. May. _l._
linear-lanceolate. Plant stemless. _h._ 1ft. China, 1816. Tender.
=A. tenuifolium= (narrow-leaved).* _fl._, spadix subulate, longer
than the white lanceolate spathe. April. _l._ linear-lanceolate.
Plant stemless. _h._ 1ft. South Europe, 1570. Hardy.
=A. ternatum= (three-leafleted). A synonym of _Pinellia tuberifera_.
=A. variolatum= (variegated). Dalmatia, 1859. Hardy.
=A. venosum= (veined). A synonym of _Sauromatum guttatum_.
=A. Zelebori= (Zelebor's). A form of _A. maculatum_.
=ARUM LILY.= _See_ =Richardia æthiopica=.
=ARUNDINARIA= (altered from _arundo_, a reed). ORD. _Gramineæ_. A small
genus of hardy or nearly hardy shrubby grasses, having strong jointed
stems, and frequently included under _Bambusa_. For sub-tropical
gardening purposes more particularly it is exceedingly ornamental as
an isolated tuft. It thrives best in a deep, rich soil, and requires
plenty of water when in a growing state. Increased by division of the
roots.
[Illustration: FIG. 155. ARUNDINARIA FALCATA.]
=A. falcata= (sickle-shaped).* _l._ linear-lanceolate, very acute,
shortly stalked, very light green. Stems freely branched, deep
green, and very slender. _h._ 3ft. to 6ft. India. An extremely
handsome species for greenhouse decoration; also for outdoor work,
particularly in the South of England, &c. SYN. _Bambusa gracilis_,
of gardens.
=A. Maximowiczii= (Maximowicz's). This Japanese species is believed
to be allied to, if not identical with, _Bambusa Simonii_. Quite
hardy.
=A. Metake= (Metake). _l._ lanceolate, with very sharp points,
dark green, persistent, narrowed into a short leafstalk, 6in. to
12in. long; sheath ample. _h._ 4ft. to 6ft. Japan. A handsome,
hardy, dwarf, much-branched species, forming grand specimens, and
producing flowers very freely. SYN. _Bambusa japonica_.
=ARUNDO= (origin of word doubtful; stated by some authorities to be
from _arundo_, a reed; and others as from the Celtic _arn_, signifying
water). Reed. ORD. _Gramineæ_. A very ornamental group of half or
quite hardy plants, of very easy culture in ordinary garden soil,
preferring damp situations. Panicle loose; calyx two-valved, unequal,
many-flowered; corolla of two very unequal valves; all, except
the lower and imperfect one, surrounded by a tuft of hairs. Fruit
free, covered by the corolla. Arundos are very valuable either for
conservatory decoration, sub*-tropical gardening, or cultivation in
clumps on the turf of the flower-garden or pleasure ground, and the
margins of lakes. Although well worth growing, all are inferior to
their ally, the Pampas Grass. Propagated by seeds or divisions, the
spring being the best time to adopt either method of increase.
=A. conspicua= (conspicuous).* _fl._ silky-white, on large drooping
racemes, and lasting in beauty for several months. _h._ 3ft. to
8ft., but in a good deep and sandy loam it sometimes attains the
height of 12ft. New Zealand, 1843. This fine species grows in dense
tufts, from which arise numerous leathery, narrow, smooth (or
slightly rough), long curving leaves, and erect, slender culms. The
plant is not sufficiently hardy to withstand a severe winter, and
should, therefore, be protected with mats, or be grown in tubs, so
that it can be removed under shelter before the approach of winter.
These precautions are unnecessary in the more southern counties of
England.
=A. Donax= (Donax).* Great Reed. _fl._ reddish, ultimately whitish,
in numerous spikelets, forming a large compact panicle 12in. to
16in. long. Autumn. _l._ alternate, lanceolate-acute, large, and
ornamental, glaucous green, arching. _h._ about 12ft. South Europe,
1648. This also requires protection during winter in the colder
counties. See Fig. 156.
=A. D. versicolor= (various-coloured).* _h._ 3ft. South Europe.
Although much smaller, this variety is far superior to the type
for gardening purposes, and has its leaves ribboned with white. It
requires a deep, well drained, sandy loam to thrive well, and a
thorough winter protection of cocoa-fibre refuse or coal ashes. For
isolated tufts or groups, few plants can equal it. It is propagated
by placing a stem in water, which induces little rooted plants to
start from the joints; these should be separated, potted off, and
kept in frames until thoroughly established.
=A. mauritanica= (Mediterranean Reed). This is a rare greenhouse
species, closely allied to _A. Donax_, but inferior to it.
[Illustration: FIG. 156. ARUNDO DONAX.]
=ARYTERA.= A synonym of =Ratonia= (which _see_).
=ASAFœTIDA.= _See_ =Narthex Asafœtida=.
=ASARABACCA.= _See_ =Asarum europæum=.
=ASARUM= (from _a_, not, and _saron_, feminine; derivation doubtful).
ORD. _Aristolochiaceæ_. Curious hardy herbaceous perennials, with
bell-shaped, three-cleft perianths. They should be planted at the
foot of the rockery, or in borders or woodlands, as they are not very
showy, but are, nevertheless, worth growing, and easily propagated by
divisions, in spring.
=A. canadense= (Canadian).* _fl._ brown, campanulate, on a short
peduncle, sometimes nearly buried. May and June. _l._ in pairs,
broadly reniform. _h._ 1ft. Canada, &c., 1713.
[Illustration: FIG. 157. ASARUM CAUDATUM.]
=A. caudatum= (tailed).* _fl._ brownish-red, with attenuated
or caudate calyx lobes. July. _l_. cordate-reniform, hooded,
sub-acute, or bluntish, slightly pubescent. California, 1880. A
rare and pretty species. See Fig. 157.