Beaucarnea
(a commemorative name). ORD. Liliace??oe. A small genus of curious greenhouse plants, natives of Mexico. Leaves narrow, gracefully depending. Stems slender, and woody, with a peculiar swollen, some-what napiform base. Mr. B. S. Williams recommends that these plants be potted in rich fibrous loam and sand, with ample drainage, and, during the growing season, liberally supplied with water. Propagated by cuttings, when obtainable; but chiefly by seeds, which have to be imported from their native country. Beaucarneas are principally grown for the beauty of their foliage, and are grotesque, graceful, and extremely curious in habit and form.
B. glauca (grey).* l. pendent, glaucous, 2ft. to 3ft. long. Stem slender, the swollen base becoming woody with age.
B. g. latifolia (broad-leaved) differs from the type only in its stouter and more robust stem and broader leaves.
B. longifolia (long-leaved).* l. 6ft. to 10ft. long, narrow, pendent, dark green, forming a beautiful vase-like centre. h. 10ft. Mexico, 1868. Very distinct. (G. C. 1877, vii., 493.) B. recurvata (recurved-leaved).* l. very long, linear, gracefully pendulous, bright green. Mexico, about 1845. This is an excellent subject for open-air culture during the summer, as well as for the conservatory. SYN. Pincenictitia tuberculata. (G. C. 1870, 1445.) B. r. rubra (red). l. red at base.
B. stricta (upright). l. 3ft. or more long, less than 1in. broad, very glaucous. Stem stout. Mexico, 1870.