Correa
(named after Jose Francesco Correa de Serra, 1750-1823, a learned Portuguese, who published several treatises on plant physiology). ORD. Rutaceoe. Greenhouse evergreen shrubs. Pedicels one-flowered, solitary, twin or tern, axillary; petals four, somewhat connivent at the base, or joined into a long tube. Leaves opposite, entire, clothed with starry hairs. This is a most useful genus of decorative plants; they are mainly of free, moderately compact growth, so that, with a little attention in pruning and training the plants whilst young, it is not difficult to form wide uniform-shaped specimens for decorative purposes in the greenhouse or conservatory. If at all well managed, few plants flower more profusely, or continue in blossom a longer time. The advantage they have over many subjects of the same class, when used for conservatory decoration, is considerable, inasmuch as they will bear to be placed, whilst in flower, in nearer proximity to other plants for contrast, and at a distance from the light, without taking much harm; and neither foliage nor wood are subject to attacks of mildew, or likely to suffer from damp. Although Correas may be struck from cuttings as readily as most other hard-wooded plants, they are, for the most part, grafted on C. alba. By employing this mode of propagation, the better kinds grow more freely, and useful-sized specimens are produced in less time than by means of cuttings. But to insure success, much attention is necessary, and some special requirements, which only those who undertake to raise considerable numbers at one time, can properly give. Therefore, in cases where only a few plants are required, by far the cheapest and best plan is to buy them; selecting clean, healthy, vigorous, young specimens, well furnished with shoots at the base. If procured in spring say, in 5in. or 6in. pots, after having them in possession a little while, they may be shifted into pots 1in. or 2in. more in diameter. Soil for potting should consist of good fibry peat, broken up into pieces sufficiently small to drop between the ball of earth and the sides of the pot. To this should be added a good proportion of silver sand. The house or pit in which the plants are stood, should be kept rather close for two or three weeks after potting. As they become established, more air may be given, and water as required. Before active growth commences, attention should be paid to training, and in doing this no more stakes should be employed than are actually necessary; the use of these may be obviated altogether by following the far better practice of pinching back the shoots, and a good bushy growth is thereby induced. During their growing period, the plants should be freely encouraged, by keeping them well supplied with water at the roots. They should be syringed overhead in the afternoons of bright days, and the ventilators closed before the sun is off the glass, afterwards giving air for the night. After blossoming, the plants should be kept moderately dry for a time; the flowering shoots may then be shortened back, maintaining as much as possible the bases of a well formed and furnished plant. For the winter, Correas should be placed in any light, airy structure with a night temperature of 40deg. C. alba (white). fl. white; petals about 1/2in. long. April to July. l. ovate, downy beneath, and rather whitish above. h. 10ft. Victoria, South Australia, &c., 1793. (B. R. 515.) C. cardinalis (cardinal).* fl. bright scarlet, tipped with green, pendent, from 1in. to 1 1/4in. in length. March. h. 3ft. A slender-growing but elegant shrub; it requires close pruning. SYN. C. speciosa. There are several forms of this species.
C. Harrisii (harris's).* fl. bright scarlet. Of medium-growth, with light green apiculated leaves, and fine branching habit. A garden hybrid, of which C. cardinalis is one of the parents. (P. M. B. vii. 79.) C. magnifica (magnificent). fl. white, large. A rather strong-growing and free-flowering form.
C. pulchella (beautiful).* fl. solitary, pendulous; corolla tubular, bright salmon-colour, with the throat ciliated. April. l. ovate, cordate, obtuse, waved, beset with stellate pubescence; adult ones smooth. h. 6ft. 1824. A hybrid. (B. R. 1224.) C. speciosa (showy). A synonym of C. cardinalis.
C. ventricosa (inflated). fl. bright crimson, tipped with green. A slender-growing twiggy sort, very pretty and distinct. C. virens (green). fl. pendulous; corolla greenish, 1in. or 1 1/2in. long. November. l. ovate-oblong, somewhat cordate, slightly toothed, beset with glandular tomentum. h. 3ft. to 8ft. New South Wales, &c., 1800. (B. R. 3.) In addition to the above, there are many other seedlings and hybrids, among which are: bicolor, Bidwilli, delicata, hybrida, ochroleuca and rosea-superba.