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Dyckia (Named after Prince Salm-Dyck)

(named after Prince Salm-Dyck, a German botanist, and author of a splendid work on succulent plants). ORD. Bromeliaceae. A genus of greenhouse succulents, with elegant foliage and ornamental habit of growth, usually stemless. There are about half-a-dozen species, natives of Brazil. They are best grown with Agaves, and thrive well in a mixture of two parts loam, and one part vegetable mould, to which a little sand may be added. Perfect drainage is essential, and water must be liberally applied during summer; but in winter, a very small quantity will suffice. Propagated by suckers. D. argentea (silvery).* l. long, rigid, rosulate, recurved, lying very close together, about 2ft. long, and rather less than 1in. broad, tapering to a point, toothed at the edges; both surfaces densely covered with white scales, and thus imparting a covering like hoar-frost. A rare species. D. brevifolia (short-leaved). fl. yellow; spike about 1ft. long. l. about thirty in a dense rosette, the young ones of the centre erect, the outer ones recurved; when fully mature, about 4in. long. 1869. (Ref. B. 236.) D. frigida (cold). fl. orange-yellow, very numerous, nearly 1in. long; spike branched, covered with pale down. February. l. tufted, linear-lanceolate, spine-toothed, recurved, 1ft. to 2ft. long. 1877. SYN. Pourretia frigida. (B. M. 6294.) D. rariflora (scattered-flowered). fl. orange, in spikes, with appressed membranaceous bracts. Summer. l. radical, lanceolate, pointed, narrow, rigid, recurved, greyish-green; margin with distant spines. h. 2ft. 1832. In warm, sheltered situations of rockwork, this very interesting species may be found useful. (B. M. 3449.)