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Aponogeton (From apon Celtic for water)

(from apon, Celtic for water, and geiton, neighbour; alluding to the habitat of these plants). ORD. Naiadaceae. Very ornamental aquatic perennials. There are several species, but A. distachyon is superior to the others. This species may be cultivated in small tanks or aquaria; it delights in an abundance of light and air, and is perfectly hardy, having become naturalised in many parts of the country. Pot the plants in rich sandy loam and rotten cow manure, using, of course, small pots, if the vessel in which it is to be grown is restricted. When introducing it to large tanks or lakes, commence with strong, previously well-established plants, in large pots, breaking the latter when the plants are immersed. Place them in positions where the water is about 1ft. 6in. to 2ft. deep; they will then rapidly increase by offsets and seeds, and, when established, will flower nearly all the year round. The other kinds will thrive with the same treatment; but they are neither so hardy nor so vigorous, and should only be grown in small tanks or aquaria.

A. angustifolium (narrow-leaved). fl. white. July. Cape of Good Hope, 1788. Half hardy.

A. distachyon (two-spiked).* Cape Pond Weed; Winter Hawthorn. fl. with a delicious Hawthorn-like perfume; petals none; bracts, or showy portion oval, entire, white; anthers purple-brown; scape two-spiked, each spike being from 2in. to 4in. long. l. oblong-lanceolate, entire, bright green, on long stalks, floating. Cape of Good Hope, 1788.

A. monostachyon (simple-spiked). fl. pink. September. h. 1ft. East Indies, 1803. Stove species. Rare.

A. spathaceum junceum (Rush-like).* A very pretty, but rare, half-hardy aquatic plant, with the forked inflorescence having both bracts and flowers suffused with a delicate blush colour. l. Rush-like, standing clear up out of the water. South Africa, 1879.