Carludovica
(named after Charles IV. of Spain, and Louisa, his queen). SYNS. Ludovia, Salmia (of Will-denow). ORD. Cyclanthaceae. A genus of low-growing, palm-like, stove plants. Flowers of separate sexes, in squares arranged very close together in a spiral manner, and forming cylindrical spikes. Leaves stiff, plaited, deeply cut into from two to five division. Plants unarmed. The species are very ornamental, and several are eminently adapted for sub-tropical gardening, for which purpose they are largely employed in Parisian gardens. They are easily grown with the usual routine of stove management, thriving in a compost of two parts peat and one of sandy loam; a liberal supply of water is needed.
C. atrovirens (dark-green).* l. and petioles very deep green, smooth, deeply bilobed. A very fine ornamental-leaved plant.
C. Drudei (Drude's).* fl. ivory white, borne on a erect-stalked, terete spadix, of cylindrical form. l. rich deep green, 17in. long, and about 33in. in transverse diameter, tufted, transversely oblong in outline, palmately three-lobed, the lobes plicated, and deeply and regularly incised at the margin. h. 4ft. Columbia, 1878. (B. C. n. s. 8, 715.)
C. ensiformis (ensiform). fl. white, in close spikes. l. bipartite, ensiform. h. 2ft. Costa Rica, 1875. (B. M. 6418.)
C. humilis (dwarf).* l. rich deep green; 12in. to 18in. long, 9in. to 12in. broad at the widest part, rhomboid, deeply bifid at the apex. New Grenada. A very handsome but rare species. (R. H. 1869, 71.)
C. palmata (palmate).* l. rich dark green, 2ft. to 3ft. across, bifid at apex, and divided quite down to the point of attachment into four lobes, each of which is divided into narrow segments; petioles 4ft. to 6ft. in height, round, smooth. Peru, 1818. (R. H. 1861, 10.)
C. purpurata (purplish). l. deep green, 2ft., or more, long, and 12in. to 18in. broad, bifid at the apex, tapering towards the base; petioles 2ft. to 4ft. high, smooth, reddish-purple. Tropical America. C. rotundifolia (round-leaved).* l. flabelliform, divided in two places quite down to the point of attachment, thus presenting a trilobed appearance; lobes divided into segments, which are very gracefully pendent. Costa Rica.
C. Wallisii (Wallis's).* fl. white, very sweetly scented, disposed in roundish oblong heads. l. ovate, two-lobed, and plicate; each division is about 1ft. long, and 6in. or 8in. broad; petioles erect, semi-terete. Columbia, 1879. (R. G. 992.)