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Aroideae (Araceae Flowers densely)
(Araceae). Flowers densely disposed on a cylindrical spadix, at the base of which is a large bract-like spathe, that ultimately bends backwards. Leaves of various shapes. This very large genus of handsome stove and greenhouse plants is remarkable both for the peculiar inflorescence and often noble leaves, and is distinguished in structure from all the European members of the order in the flowers being hermaphrodite. Fibry peat, loam, sphagnum, broken crocks, or charcoal, and silver sand, form the most suitable compost. In preparing the peat, it should be broken up into small lumps, and then have most of the earthy matter knocked out of it by giving it a few raps with a stick, or by shaking it about in a sieve. To this, after so treated, add about one-fourth its bulk of sphagnum, and about half its bulk of fibrous loam, and just a sprinkling of fresh broken crocks, or small pieces of charcoal and sharp silver sand. In placing them in the pots--which must be well' drained--carefully spread out the roots and work the mixture among them, keeping the plant well up, so that when finished it stands clear above the rim of the pot at least 2in. or 3in., and forms a kind of mound or hillock. They must then be kept freely syringed or watered, and placed in a moist atmosphere, where they can enjoy a temperature ranging between 60deg. and 70deg., or a few degrees lower for the less tender species. Raising plants from seed requires patience. About a year elapses from the time the flowers are fertilised--which should be done artificially--before the seed ripens, and often another to get up plants. Sow as soon as ripe in shallow, well-drained pans or pots, filled with the potting mixture, and cover slightly, and place in a close, moist propagating case, where a temperature of from 75deg. to 85deg. is maintained, or they may be covered with bell glasses. The principal thing is to keep the air about them constantly humid, and the material in which they are sown in a uniformly moist condition; if this is done, the young seedlings will make their appearance in due course. When these are of sufficient size to handle, they should be pricked off in the same sort of compost, and be kept close and moist till they get a start, after which gradually inure them to more air. January is the best month of the year wherein to propagate these plants by divisions. This is done by carefully turning them out of their pots and shaking out what soil they have amongst their roots, which must be tenderly dealt with, so as not to bruise or injure them. This done, they may then be pulled apart, and as many plants made as there are separate crowns, or the mass may be simply halved or quartered, according to the stock required. Treat now as recommended above for potting. They are all moisture-loving plants, and must have a copious supply of water at all times, although, of course, much less during the winter than spring and summer months. There is no season of the year when they can be handled for any purpose with less risk or check than January. A moderate moist stove heat is advisable for them generally. The species enumerated are selected from nearly 150, and will be found to be a very representative collection. See also Spathiphyllum.
A. acaule (stemless).* fl., spadix blue in a young state, borne on long footstalks, sweetly scented. Spring. l. broad, oblong, acuminate, 1ft. to 3ft. in length, erect, arranged in a rosulate manner, dark shining green on the upper surface, somewhat paler beneath. West Indies, 1853. A noble species. A. Andreanum (Andre's).* fl., spadix about 3in. long, yellowish, with a broad central band of white; spathe open, cordate-ovate, orange red, leathery, 3in. to 4in. across, and 6in. to 9in. long; surface irregularly corrugated. l. ovate-lanceolate, deeply cordate, green. Columbia, 1876. A very beautiful species.
A. Bakeri (Baker's).* fl., spathe small, green, reflexed; the spadix, wherein lies the plant's principal beauty, exhibits a lovely combination of pink and bright scarlet; the fleshy rachis being pink, and the pea-sized fruits bright scarlet. July. l. linear, leathery, green, with stout midribs. Costa Rica, 1872.
A. cordifolium (cordate-leaved).* l. 3ft. long and 20in. broad, heart-shaped, deep shining green on the upper surface, and paler below. h. 4ft. New Grenada. One of the best, and may be grown in a greenhouse or even in a sheltered spot of the sub-tropical garden during July and August. A. Browni, although quite distinct, comes close to this species.
A. coriaceum (leathery).* l. very thick, leathery, ovate, about 2ft. long; petioles stout, about the same length. Brazil. An admirable sub-tropical species.
A. crystallinum (crystalline).* l. large, ovate-cordate, acuminate, bright rich velvety green, principal veins elegantly banded with pure crystal white; when young, the leaves are violet colour; petioles terete. h. 2ft. Columbia. A. cuspidatum (cuspidate). fl., spathe crimson, reflexed, shorter than the purplish spadix. l. ovate-oblong, acuminate, 10in. to 20in. long, green. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Columbia.
A. ferrierense (Ferrieres).* fl., spathe cordate, about 5in. long, and 4in. wide, bright red; spadix erect, about 4in. long, ivory white. l. large, cordate. A handsome hybrid between A. ornatum and A. Andreanum. A. fissum (cut-leaved). fl., spathe green, erect, narrowly lanceolate-acuminate. l. cut into four to seven elliptic oblong-acuminate segments, green; petioles longish, terete. h. 2ft. Columbia, 1868. A. Harrisii pulchrum (beautiful).* fl., spathe linear-lanceolate, creamy white, deflexed, and pinkish at top; spadix erect, deep crimson; scape about 1ft. long, pale green. l. lanceolate, rounded at the base, pale green, with confluent white markings intermixed with dark green. Stem short. Brazil, 1882. A beautiful variegated plant. The typical A. Harrisii is extremely rare. A. Hookeri (Hooker's). fl., spathe green; spadix green or violet; l. obovate-spathulate, narrowed to a wedge-shaped base, and shortly stalked, shining, about 30in. long and 8in. broad. h. 3ft. Tropical America, 1840. SYNS. A. Huegelii, Pothos acaulis.
A. Huegelii (Huegel's). A synonym of A. Hookeri.
A. insigne (showy).* l. three-lobed, middle lobe lanceolate, the two lateral ones are nearly ovate, and have from three to five longitudinal ribs; when young, the leaves have a bronzy tinge; petioles terete, slightly sheathing at the base. Columbia, 1881. A very handsome species.
A. Kalbreyeri (Kalbreyer's).* l. palmate, about 2 1/2ft. across; leaflets nine, obovate-oblong, acuminate, sinuate, thick, glabrous, rich deep green, those furthest from the stem are much larger than those next the axis; petiole cylindrical, thickened at the top. New Grenada, 1881. A very handsome climbing species.
A. lanceolatum (lanceolate). fl., spathe lanceolate, deflexed, yellowish green; spadix dark brown. l. lanceolate, stalked, green, 1ft. long, narrowed to the base. There appears to be much confusion as regards this and many varieties of A. Harrisii; and the specific designation is indiscriminately applied to lanceolate-leaved forms generally. The true species was introduced to Kew from the West Indies. SYN. A. Wildenowii.
A. leuconeurum (white-nerved). Green. Mexico, 1862.
A. Lindenianum (Linden's).* fl. fragrant, spathe very pretty, white, not reflexed, but the pointed apex slightly arches over and shelters the white or purplish spadix. October. l. deeply cordate, of a roundish outline; petioles long. h. 3ft. Columbia, 1866. SYN. A. Lindigi (of gardens). A. Lindigi (Lindig's). A garden synonym of A. Lindenianum. A. macrolobum (large-lobed).* l. large, deflexed, cordate, acuminate, with an open sinus at the base, and about three acute marginal lobes, dark green, marked with about five pale green ribs; petioles green, terete. Stem erect, short. A fine hybrid.
A. nymphaeifolium (Nymphaea-leaved). fl., spathe white; spadix purplish. Venezuela, 1854.
A. ornatum (adorned).* fl., spathe linear-oblong, white, 5in. to 6in. long, on terete green scapes, enclosing cylindrical purplish spadices of about the same length as the spathes, and studded with white points arranged spirally. Spring. l. ovate or oblong. cordate, on slender terete petioles. h. 2 1/2ft. Venezuela, 1869.
A. regale (royal).* l. large, cordate-acuminate, 1ft. to 3ft. long, dull metallic green, with white veins; young leaves tinged with rose, on long smooth footstalks. East Peru, 1866. An excellent species for conservatory or window decoration during summer A. Scherzerianum (Scherzer's).* fl. on bright red peduncles, which spring from among the base of the leafstalks; spathe ovate-oblong, 3in. long and nearly 2in. broad, intense and brilliant scarlet; spadix orange coloured. l. oblong-lanceolate, 12in. to 18in. long, and 2in. or more broad, deep rich green, leathery. Costa Rica. A very compact dwarf-growing evergreen about 1ft. high. It continues in beauty about four months.
A. S. album (white). A synonym of A. Scherzerianum Williamsii. A. S. maximum (greater).* A very fine variety, with "gigantic flower spathes, which measure about 9in. in length by 4in. in breadth, and are of the most brilliant scarlet colour."
A. S. pygmaeum (small).* Altogether smaller than the type, with narrow leaves, which are from 4in. to 6in. long, and about 1/2in. broad. It is one of the best varieties, and produces flowers very freely. 1880. A. S. Rothschildianum (Rothschild's). fl., spathe creamy white, spotted with crimson; spadix yellow. 1880. Exactly intermediate between its parent plants--the typical species and the following variety. A. S. Wardii (Ward's).* fl., spathe 6in. long, 4in. broad, very brilliant. l. broader and more robust than those of the typical species. A splendid variety. A. S. Williamsii (Williams's).* fl., spathe white; spadix yellowish. May. l. lanceolate-acuminate. Costa Rica, 1874. SYN. A. Scherzerianum album. A. signatum (well-marked). l. apparently three-lobed; front lobe about 1ft. long and 4in. wide; the two side ones 4in. long, and about 6in. from the midrib to the extremity, dark green; petioles about 1ft. long. Venezuela, 1858.
A. spathiphyllum (Spathiphyllum). fl., spathe about 1 3/4in. long, and nearly as much broad, erect, boat-shaped, broadly ovate, white; spadix nearly 1in. long, very obtuse, pale yellow. l. narrow lanceolate, 16in. to 24in. long, and about 2in. wide, bright green above, pale greyish green beneath; midrib prominent; petiole 3in to 6in. long, trigonous. h. 1 1/2ft. Tropical America, 1875.
A. splendidum (splendid).* l. cordate, with an open sinus, the lobes meeting behind; "the course of the nerves is marked by a broadish band of deep lustrous velvety green, the intervening spaces of about equal width being in striking contrast, of a pale yellowish green; the leaf surface is scabrous, and the portions between the ribs strongly bullate, as if raised in papillose blisters; the veins on the under surface are angular, with tooth-like pro-jections at intervals, while the whole under surface is punctuate with small pallid dots" (W. Bull). Stem short, thick. South America, 1882. A very beautiful species, quite distinct from any others of the genus. A. subsignatum (nearly allied to Signatum).* l. thick and fleshy, hastate, with blunt points, 12in. to 18in. long, and as much in breadth at the widest part; dark shining green above, paler beneath; petioles about 1ft. long. h. 1 1/2ft. Costa Rica, 1861. An excellent species.
A. tetragonum (four-angled). l. erect, commences very narrow, 1ft. wide at its broadest part; margins undulate, deep shining green on the upper surface, paler below; petioles short, quadrangular. Tropical America, 1860. An excellent sub-tropical species.
A. triumphans (superior). fl., spathe narrow, green; spadix stout, greenish-white; peduncle quadrangular. l. alternate, elongately cordate, bright green; ribs prominent, and of a paler hue. Stem erect. Brazil, 1882. A handsome plant.
A. Veitchii (Veitch's).* l. ovate-oblong, greatly elongated, 2ft. to 3ft. long, with a breadth of less than than one-third of these dimensions, leathery, deep green, with a glossy metallic surface when first expanded that becomes paler with age; the principal nerves are arched and deeply sunk, imparting a curiously waved appearance to the surface. h. 2 1/2ft. Columbia, 1877. Rare but very handsome.
A. Waluiewi (Walujew's).* l. broadly cordate, 12in. to 14in. long, 8in. to 10in. broad, olive metallic green, when young, bright reddish crimson; petioles four to five-angled. h. 2ft. Venezuela, 1880. A very distinct and noble species.
A. Waroqueanum (Waroque's).* l. elongated, from 24in. to sometimes 36in. long, and 8in. to 11in. broad, very rich deep green, of a velvety lustre; midribs and veins light, forming a very pleasing contrast. Columbia, 1878. A very free grower.
A. Wildenowii (Wildenow's). A synonym of A. lanceolatum. It may be here remarked that by far the majority of species enumerated in the Supplement of Johnson's Dictionary are chiefly of botanical interest, and will, therefore, never become extensively cultivated.