Royal Society, and a distinguished patron of science, particularly
of Natural History). ORD. _Proteaceæ_. Greenhouse evergreen shrubs,
natives of Australia, principally grown for the beauty of their
foliage. Leaves variable in form, usually dark green, clothed with
white or rufous down beneath; margins deeply serrated or spinous,
rarely entire. The following is the mode of culture recommended many
years ago by Sweet. The pots should be well drained, by placing a
potsherd about half way over the hole at the bottom of the pot, then
laying another piece against it that it may be hollow, afterwards
putting some smaller pieces all around them, and on the top of these
some others broken very small. All the plants belonging to the order
_Proteaceæ_ should be drained in a similar manner, as the roots are
very fond of running amongst the broken potsherds, and consequently
there is less danger of their being overwatered. Care must also be
taken not to allow them to flag, as they seldom recover if once allowed
to get very dry. The plants should be placed in an airy part of the
house when indoors. Cuttings are generally supposed to be difficult to
root, but this is not the case if properly managed. Let them be well
ripened before they are taken off; then cut them at a joint, and place
them in pots of sand, without shortening any of the leaves, except on
the part that is planted in the sand, where they should be taken off
quite close. The less depth they are planted in the pots the better, so
long as they stand firm when the sand is well closed round them. Place
them under hand glasses in the propagating house, but do not plunge
them in heat. Take the glasses off frequently to give them air, and dry
them, or they will probably damp off. When rooted, transfer to small
pots; after which, place them in a close, unheated frame, and harden by
degrees. Seeds are a very unsatisfactory means of multiplying the stock.
=B. æmula= (rivalling).* _l._ 6in. to 10in. long, 1in. broad,
linear-oblong, tapering slightly at the base; edges deeply toothed,
deep green on both sides; midrib of under surface clothed with rich
brown hairs. _h._ 20ft. 1824. SYN. _B. elatior_. (B. M. 2671.)
=B. australis= (southern). A synonym of _B. marginata_.
=B. Caleyi= (Caley's). _l._ 6in. to 12in. long, linear, deeply and
regularly toothed from base to apex, dark green above, paler below.
_h._ 5ft. to 6ft. 1830. Said to be an elegant species.
=B. collina= (hill-loving).* _l._ 2in. to 3in. long, 1/2in. broad,
linear; apex præmorse, as if bitten straight off; upper surface
dark green, silvery below. _h._ 6ft. to 8ft. 1822. This forms
a dense and handsome shrub, especially with its large head of
yellow flowers. SYNS. _B. Cunninghami_, _B. ledifolia_, and _B.
littoralis_. (B. M. 3060.)
=B. Cunninghami= (Cunningham's). A synonym of _B. collina_.
=B. dryandroides= (Dryandra-like).* _l._ 6in. to 10in. long,
1/4in. broad, pinnatifid, divided almost to the midrib; lobes
triangular, deep green above, and reddish-brown below. Stem clothed
with reddish-brown hairs. _h._ 6ft. 1824. This plant is extremely
graceful and elegant as a table decoration.
=B. elatior= (taller). Synonymous with _B. æmula_.
=B. integrifolia= (whole-leaved). _l._ cuneate-oblong, 6in. long,
nearly 1in. wide at the broadest part; edges entire; upper side
dark green, silvery white beneath. _h._ 10ft. to 12ft. 1788. SYNS.
_B. macrophylla_, _B. oleifolia_. (B. M. 2770.)
=B. i. compar= (well-matched). _l._ very densely set upon the
branches, oblong, tapering at the base, blunt at the apex; edges
serrulate; upper side dark olive green, silvery white beneath. _h._
6ft., finely branching. 1824.
=B. latifolia= (broad-leaved). _l._ 6in. to 10in. long, 3in. broad,
obovate-oblong; edges serrated; upper surface deep green, beneath
clothed with woolly greyish hairs, those on the midrib bright
brown. _h._ 20ft. 1802. (B. M. 2406.)
=B. ledifolia= (Ledum-leaved). Synonymous with _B. collina_.
=B. littoralis= (shore). Synonymous with _B. collina_.
=B. macrophylla= (large-leaved). Synonymous with _B. integrifolia_.
=B. marginata= (margined). _l._ 1in. to 2in. long, 1/2in. broad,
blunt at the apex, armed with several short spines, and tapering
at the base, deep green on the upper surface, snowy white beneath.
_h._ 5ft. to 6ft. 1822. SYN. _B. australis_. (B. M. 1947.)
=B. occidentalis= (western).* _fl._ yellow, rather handsome,
in spikes about 4in. long. April to August. _l._ 5in. to 6in.
long, 1/4in. broad. _h._ 5ft. 1803. West coast of New Holland. A
beautiful species. (B. M. 3535.)
=B. oleifolia= (olive-leaved). Synonymous with _B. integrifolia_.
=B. Solanderi= (Solander's).* _l._ 4in. to 6in. long, and over 2in.
wide, deeply pinnatifid, with three to six pairs of lobes on each
leaf; apex as if bitten off; upper side dark green, under silvery
white. _h._ 6ft. 1830.
=B. speciosa= (showy).* _l._ 8in. to 14in. long, about 1/2in. wide,
pinnatifid, but divided almost to the midrib; lobes semicircular,
with a spine on the end of each; upper side deep green, beneath
silvery white, with the midrib clothed with ferruginous woolly
hairs. _h._ 6ft. 1805. Both this and the preceding species are very
handsome, and highly deserving of the most extensive culture.
=B. quercifolia= (Oak-leaved). _l._ cuneate-oblong, deeply incised
at the margins, and having a short spine upon each lobe. _h._ 5ft.
1805. (B. R. 1430.)
=BANKSIA= (of Forster). A synonym of =Pimelea=.
=BAOBAB-TREE.= _See_ =Adansonia=.
=BAPHIA= (from _baphe_, a dye; the tree produces the camwood of
commerce). Camwood or Barwood. ORD. _Leguminosæ_. A stove tree,
requiring a loam and peat soil. Cuttings, not deprived of any of their
leaves, will root in a pot of sand, under a hand glass, in heat.
=B. nitida= (shining). _fl._ white; corolla with a roundish
spreading vexillum, linear wings, which are about the length of
the vexillum, and an acute carina; pedicels two to three together,
one-flowered, axillary. June. _l._ entire, oval-oblong, acuminated,
shining. _h._ 30ft. Sierra Leone, 1793. (L. B. C. 367.)
=BAPTISIA.= (from _bapto_, to dye; so named from the economical use
of some of the species). ORD. _Leguminosæ_. North American hardy
herbaceous plants, with trifoliate, rarely simple leaves, and racemes
of yellowish or blue flowers. They are somewhat shy bloomers, but grow
freely in a loamy soil. Propagated by divisions, or, more easily, by
seed, which latter may be sown in sand and leaf mould in the open, or
in pots placed in a cold frame.
=B. alba= (white).* _fl._ white; racemes terminal. June. _l._
stalked, glabrous; leaflets elliptic-oblong, obtuse; stipules
deciduous, subulate, shorter than the petioles. Branches
divaricate. _h._ 2ft. 1724. (B. M. 1177.)
=B. australis= (southern).* _fl._ blue; racemes few-flowered,
elongated, shorter than the branches. June. _l._ stalked, smooth;
leaflets oblong-cuneated, obtuse, four times longer than the
petiole; stipules lanceolate, acute, twice the length of the
petiole. Stem branched, diffuse. _h._ 4ft. to 5ft. 1758. (Flora,
1856, 2; B. M. 509.)
=B. confusa= (confused). _fl._ dark blue, alternate, bracteate;
racemes elongated. June. _l._ stalked, smooth; leaflets
oblong-cuneated or obovate; stipules linear-lanceolate, twice the
length of the petioles. Stem branched. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1758.
=B. exaltata= (exalted).* _fl._ deep blue; racemes many-flowered,
elongated, twice the length of the branches. June. _l._ ternate,
stalked; leaflets lanceolate-obovate, five times longer than the
petioles; stipules lanceolate, acuminated, three times longer than
the petioles. Stem erect, branched. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. 1812. (S. B.
F. G. 97.)
=B. leucophæa= (dusky-white). _fl._ cream-coloured; racemes
many-flowered, lateral, with the flowers leaning to one side. July.
_l._ sessile, somewhat villous; leaflets rhomboid-obovate; stipules
and bracts ovate, acute, broad, leafy. _h._ 1ft. 1870. (B. M. 5900.)
=B. minor= (less). _fl._ blue; racemes axillary, bracteate. June.
_l._, leaflets rhomboid-lanceolate; stipules lanceolate, longer
than the petioles. Stem erect, solid. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1829.
=B. perfoliata= (perfoliate-leaved).* _fl._ yellow, small,
axillary, solitary. August. _l._ perfoliate, roundish, quite
entire, rather glaucous. _h._ 3ft. 1793. (B. M. 3121.)
=B. tinctoria= (dyers').* _fl._ yellow, with wings each furnished
with a callosity, or lateral tooth; racemes terminal. _l._ stalked,
upper ones nearly sessile; leaflets roundish-obovate; stipules
setaceous, almost obsolete. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. 1759. (L. B. C. 588.)
=BARBACENIA.= (named after M. Barbacena, a Governor of Minas Geraes).
Formerly placed in ORD. _Hæmodoraceæ_, but now referred by Bentham and
Hooker to _Amaryllidaceæ_. Very singular and pretty stove evergreen
herbaceous perennials, allied to _Vellozia_. Flowers purple, large,
showy; perianth funnel-shaped, resinosely hairy on the outside; limb
spreading; scapes one-flowered, usually clothed with glandular hairs.
Leaves firm, spiral, spreading, acutely keeled. Lindley says that they
are capable of existing in a dry, hot air without contact with the
earth, on which account they are favourites in South American gardens,
where, with Orchids and Bromeliads, they are suspended in the dwelling
houses, or hung to the balustrades of the balconies, in which situation
they flower abundantly, filling the air with their fragrance. They are
rarely seen in our gardens. They may be grown in baskets of fibrous
loam and peat, with some nodules of charcoal added.
[Illustration: FIG. 205. FLOWER OF BARBACENIA PURPUREA.]
=B. purpurea= (purple).* _fl._ funnel-shaped, six-cleft, terminal,
solitary; ovarium elongated, tuberculated. July. _l._ linear,
keeled, with spiny serratures. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Brazil, 1825. See Fig.
205. (B. M. 2777.)
=B. Rogieri= (Rogers').* _fl._ purple; scape and ovaria tubercled;
filaments broad, bifid. July. _l._ linear, acuminated, imbricate,
with broad stem-clasping bases, finely spinely serrated on the
margin, and keel recurved; caudex short. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Brazil,
1850. (L. J. F. 82.)
=BARBADOS CHERRY.= _See_ =Malpighia=.
=BARBADOS GOOSEBERRY.= _See_ =Pereskia aculeata=.
=BARBADOS LILY.= _See_ =Hippeastrum equestre=.
=BARBAREA= (anciently called Herb of St. Barbara). Winter Cress;
American Cress. ORD. _Cruciferæ_. Hardy glabrous perennial herbs.
Flowers yellow; racemes erect, terminal. Stems erect. They are of easy
culture, but scarcely worth growing in the pleasure garden. Propagated
by cuttings, suckers, divisions, or seeds.
=B. præcox= (early). _l._, lower ones lyrate; terminal lobe ovate;
upper ones pinnate-parted; lobes linear-oblong, quite entire. _h._
1ft. to 1-1/2ft. Commonly known as American, or Black American
Cress. Here and there on roadsides, and in dry gravelly places in
Great Britain. An escape from cultivation. (Sy. En. B. 124.)
=B. vulgaris= (common). _l._, lower ones lyrate; terminal lobe
roundish; upper ones obovate, toothed, or pinnatifid. _h._ 1-1/4ft.
The double flowering form of this native species is the only one
of this genus worth growing for beauty; it is generally known as
Double Yellow Rocket. The variegated form is also rather pretty,
and comes true from seed. (Sy. En. B. 120.)
=BARBATUS.= Having long weak hairs, in one or more tufts; bearded.
=BARBERRY.= _See_ =Berberis=.
=BARBIERIA= (in honour of J. B. G. Barbier, M.D., a French physician
and naturalist, author of "Principes Generaux de Pharmacologie ou de
Matière Medicale," Paris, 1806). ORD. _Leguminosæ_. An ornamental stove
evergreen, requiring a mixture of peat, loam, and sand. Propagated by
cuttings of half-ripened wood, which should be placed in sand, under a
glass, in stove heat.
=B. polyphylla= (many-leaved).* _fl._ scarlet, 2in. long;
racemes axillary, few-flowered, shorter than the leaves. _l._
impari-pinnate, with nine to eleven pairs of elliptic-oblong,
mucronate leaflets, pubescent in an adult state. Porto Rico, 1818.
SYNS. _Clitorea polyphylla_ and _Galactia pinnata_.
=BARBS.= Hooked hairs.
=BARK.= The outer integuments of a plant beyond the wood, and formed of
tissue parallel with it.
=BARK-BOUND.= This condition is generally the result of very rich soil,
or insufficient drainage. In most fruit trees a gummy exudation takes
place. If caused by stagnancy, thorough drainage should immediately be
effected. Scrubbing the stem is also recommended. Slitting the bark
with a knife is likely to do more harm than good, particularly so in
the hands of the inexperienced.
=BARKERIA= (name commemorative of the late G. Barker, of Birmingham,
an ardent cultivator of orchids). ORD. _Orchidaceæ_. From a scientific
point of view, this genus should be included in _Epidendrum_. Very
handsome, deciduous, epiphytal, cool-house orchids, having slender
pseudo-bulbs, from 6in. to 12in. high, from the top of which the
numerous flower-stems are produced. In a cool, airy temperature, these
plants grow vigorously, suspended in pans or small baskets close
beneath the glass, and slightly shaded with tiffany. They succeed well
also on flat blocks of wood, on the top of which they should be tied,
without any moss, as their freely-produced, thick, fleshy roots soon
cling to the blocks. During the season of growth, a good supply of
water is needed, and in hot weather it may be applied three or four
times daily; the blocks and plants are best immersed in water; but when
at rest, a slight watering twice or three times a week will suffice.
Propagated by divisions, just previous to the commencement of new
growth.
=B. elegans= (elegant).* _fl._ in loose racemes, four or five in
each; each blossom about 2in. across; sepals and petals dark rose;
lip reddish crimson, spotted and edged with a lighter colour.
Winter. _h._ 2ft. Mexico, 1836. Of this beautiful slender-growing
species, there are two or three varieties in cultivation. (B. M.
4784.)
=B. Lindleyana= (Lindley's).* _fl._, raceme 2ft. long, very
slender, bearing from five to seven blossoms near its apex; sepals
and petals rosy purple; lip white, with a deep purple blotch at its
apex. September, remaining in beauty for a considerable time. _h._
2ft. Costa Rica, 1842. (B. M. 6098.)
=B. L. Centeræ= (Center's).* _fl._ rosy lilac; lip oblong; margins
crenulated or crisped; apex blotched deep purple. Costa Rica, 1873.
=B. melanocaulon= (dark-stemmed).* _fl._ on an erect spike; sepals
and petals rosy lilac; lip broader at the base than at the top,
reddish-purple, having a blotch of green in the centre. August.
_h._ 1ft. Costa Rica, 1848. Very rare.
=B. Skinneri= (Skinner's).* _fl._ deep rose-coloured; spikes
6in. to 9in. long, from the apices of the ripened growth, often
branched, forming a dense mass of deep purple blossoms, which, if
kept dry, lasts from eight to ten weeks. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Guatemala.
(P. M. B. 15, 1.)
=B. S. superbum= (superb).* _fl._ dark rose; lip somewhat deeper
tinted, and marked towards the base with yellow streaks. Guatemala.
This far surpasses the type in size and number of flowers, as well
as in brilliancy of colour. (W. S. O. 38.)
=B. spectabilis= (showy).* _fl._ quite 2in. across, produced
eight or ten together, on a spike issuing from the top of the
pseudo-bulb; sepals and petals oblong, acuminate, rosy lilac; lip
white, margined with deep lilac or rosy purple, and dotted or
spotted with crimson. This very distinct and desirable species
lasts from eight to ten weeks in beauty, and forms a very handsome
object when placed in the drawing-room and covered over with a
large glass shade. Guatemala, 1843. (B. M. 4094.)
=BARKING-IRONS.= Instruments used in taking off the bark of trees.
=BARKLYA= (named after Sir H. Barkly, formerly Governor of South
Australia). ORD. _Leguminosæ_. A large greenhouse tree, thriving in a
compost of loam and leaf mould. Propagated by seeds and cuttings; the
latter should be half ripened, and placed in sandy soil, under a bell
glass, in a cool house.
=B. syringifolia= (Syringa-leaved). _fl._ golden yellow, numerous,
disposed in axillary or terminal racemes. _l._ alternate, simple,
coriaceous. _h._ 30ft. Moreton Bay, 1858.
=BARK STOVE.= A hothouse adapted for moisture-loving exotics, and
having a pit from 2ft. to 4ft. deep, containing fermenting matter,
chiefly tanners' bark, by which means a steady heat is maintained for
a considerable time. The Bark Stove is now almost obsolete. Bark is,
however, still largely used in pine pits, and in some propagating beds;
but such beds are generally superseded by hot-water or hot-air tanks.
=BARLERIA= (named after J. Barrelier, a French botanist of the
seventeenth century). ORD. _Acanthaceæ_. A genus of interesting and
ornamental stove evergreen shrubs. Flowers axillary or terminal; calyx
four-sepaled, the two outer larger than the others. They thrive best if
grown in loam and peat, with a little rotten dung added. Propagated by
cuttings made of the young wood, and placed in a similar compost, under
a bell glass, in stove temperature, with bottom heat.
=B. flava= (yellow).* _fl._ yellow, aggregate, terminal, tubular;
bracts very narrow, setose. Summer. _l._ lanceolate, hairy, entire.
Plant unarmed. _h._ 3ft. India, 1816. SYN. _B. mitis_. (B. M. 4113.)
=B. Gibsoni= (Gibson's). _fl._ pale purple, rather large,
sub-terminal. Winter. _l._ ovate or oblong-lanceolate. India, 1867.
A glabrous stove shrub, of branched habit. (B. M. 5628.)
=B. Leichtensteiniana= (Leichtenstein's).* _fl._ very curious;
spikes axillary, 2in. to 3in. long, ovoid or oblong, consisting of
a large number of closely packed overlapping bracts, all turned
to the fore or lower part of the spike; bracts ovate-acuminate,
mucronate, spine-toothed, one-ribbed, with prominent and curved
veins, and 1in. to 1-1/2. long. _l._ opposite, 1in. to 2in. long,
linear-lanceolate, entire, mucronate, tapering at the base into a
very short stalk. Branches slender, virgate, sub-angular. South
Africa, 1870. This plant is covered over its whole surface with
close, white, hoary down. (G. C. 1870, p. 73.)
=B. longifolia= (long-leaved). _fl._ white; spines of whorls six.
Summer. _l._ ensiform, very long, rough. _h._ 2ft. India, 1781.
This is a biennial.
=B. lupulina= (Hop-headed). _fl._ yellowish; spikes ovate; bracts
ovate, concave, imbricated. August. _l._ lanceolate, quite entire;
spines simple, spreading. _h._ 2ft. Mauritius, 1824.
=B. Mackenii= (MacKen's).* _fl._ purple, large, in a
terminal raceme. Spring. _l._ recurved, narrow-ovate, or
elliptic-lanceolate, sub-acute, petioled. Natal, 1870. (B. M. 5866.)
=B. mitis= (small). Synonymous with _B. flava_.
=B. prionitis= (Prionitis-like). _fl._ orange; spines axillary,
pedate, in fours. Summer. _l._ quite entire, lanceolate-ovate. _h._
3ft. India, 1759.
=BARLEY.= _See_ =Hordeum vulgare=.
=BARNADESIA= (named after Michael Barnadez, a Spanish botanist). ORD.
_Compositæ_. Pretty greenhouse deciduous shrubs, requiring a dry
atmosphere. They should be grown in peat, loam, and sand, in equal
proportions. Propagated either by seeds, sown in hotbeds in March, or
by cuttings, made of half-ripened wood in April, and placed in sand
under a bell glass.
[Illustration: FIG. 206. BARNADESIA ROSEA.]
=B. rosea= (rosy).* _fl.-heads_ rose-coloured, solitary,
ovate-cylindrical, downy, sessile; florets bilabiate, one lip
oblong-emarginate, villous, the other filiform; hairs on receptacle
twisted; pappus stiff, plumose. May. _l._ alternate, ovate, acute
at both ends. _h._ 1-1/2ft. South America, 1840. See Fig. 206. (B.
M. 4232.)
=BARNARDIA.= Included under =Scilla= (which _see_).
=BAROMETER.= An instrument for measuring the density of the atmosphere,
and hence determining the probable changes of weather, or the height of
any ascent. To the gardener the Barometer is indispensable as a warning
to take due precaution.
=BAROSMA= (from _barys_, heavy, and _osme_, smell; referring to the
powerful scent of the leaves). Name often incorrectly spelt _Baryosma_.
SYN. _Parapetalifera_. ORD. _Rutaceæ_. Very pretty small, Heath-like,
greenhouse evergreen shrubs, from the Cape of Good Hope. Calyx equally
five-parted; petals five, oblong; stamens ten. Leaves opposite or
scattered, coriaceous, flat, dotted, with their margins sometimes
glandularly serrulated, sometimes almost entire or revolute. They
thrive in a mixture of sand, peat, and a little turfy loam, with good
drainage and firm potting. Cuttings, taken from ripened wood, inserted
in a pot of sand, and placed in a shady position in a cool house, with
a bell glass over them, will root readily in a few weeks.
=B. betulina= (Birch-leaved). _fl._ white, axillary, solitary.
February to September. _l._ opposite, obovate, serrulate, sessile,
spreading. _h._ 1ft. to 3ft. 1790. (B. M. Pl. 45.)
=B. dioica= (diœcious).* _fl._ purplish; peduncles axillary,
usually in threes, shorter than the leaves. April. _l._ scattered;
upper ones ternate, lanceolate, tapering to both ends, full of
glandular dots, spreading. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. 1816. (B. R. 502.)
=B. latifolia= (broad-leaved). _fl._ white, usually solitary,
lateral. July. _l._ opposite, ovate-oblong, sessile, serrulated,
smoothish, without glandular dots; branches villous. _h._ 1ft. 1789.
=B. pulchella= (pretty).* _fl._ pale red or purple; peduncles
axillary, usually solitary, exceeding the leaves. February. _l._
crowded, ovate, quite smooth, with thickened, crenate-glandular
margins. _h._ 1ft. to 3ft. 1787.
=B. serratifolia= (saw-edged-leaved).* _fl._ white; peduncles
axillary, sub-divided. March to June. _l._ nearly opposite,
lanceolate, stalked, glandularly serrulated, smooth. _h._ 1ft. to
3ft. 1789. (B. M. 456, and B. Z. 1853, 12.)
=BARRED.= Marked in spaces with a paler colour, resembling bars.
=BARREN FLOWERS.= The male or staminate flowers of many plants, such
as the Cucumber, Melon, &c., are popularly known as Barren Flowers,
_i.e._, they produce no fruit. This condition is, in some respects,
similar to "blind" Strawberries or "blind" Cabbages, so far as fruition
is concerned, but structurally and functionally it is widely different.
The Barren Flowers of the Cucumber, Melon, &c., are produced by what
are known as monœcious plants, _i.e._, having male and female organs
in different flowers, but on the same plant. In the Strawberry, &c.,
Barren Flowers are generally the result of unfavourable surroundings,
or unskilful cultivation. A good example of Barren Flowers is seen in
the ray-florets of many Composite plants, which are frequently really
neuter, having neither male nor female organs.
=BARREN SOILS.= A term signifying such soils as are normally
unprofitable. The term can only be correctly applied in very few
cases; as almost any soil may be rendered capable of affording a basis
for some kind of vegetable life, arboreal or other. The question of
planting up the enormous quantity of what is now waste land, might
well engage the most practical consideration. Of course, the natural
state of any land will, to a great extent, determine what would be its
ultimate condition, after all that could be effected by mechanical
agency has been accomplished. Drainage, irrigation, enrichment,
pulverisation, are all matters which can only be considered upon a
particular basis; but we doubt not that the thousands of acres of land
now practically almost useless, might, by the adoption of proper means,
be rendered fairly remunerative.
=BARREN-WORT.= _See_ =Epimedium=.