Fittonia
(named in honour of E. and S. M. Fitton, authors of "Conversations on Botany"). ORD. Acanthaceae. A genus containing only a couple of species of stove evergreen trailing perennials, with very brilliantly marked leaves; both natives of Peru. They are of easy culture, and thrive well in a compost of peat, loam, and silver sand; liberal supplies of water and a shady situation are necessary elements to successful cultivation. Increased by cuttings of half-ripened shoots, planted in sandy loam, in bottom heat; also by divisions of the plant. As ornaments for a Wardian case, Fittonias are unequalled; and when grown as pyramids, they form beautiful objects in the stove. For planting upon the surface of the pots or tubs in which palms or other large specimens are growing, they are very useful, and also for forming narrow borders as edges to the walks in heated structures.
F. gigantean (gigantic).* fl. pale red, in a terminal four-sided spike, with large bracts. l. broadly ovate, sub-cordate, veined with carmine-red. h. 1 1/2ft. Habit branching, erect, sub-shrubby. 1869. (R. G. 629.) F. rubronervum (red-nerved). A synonym of F. Verschaffeltii. F. rubrovenosum (red-veined). A synonym of F. Verschaffeltii. F. Verschaffeltii (Verschaffelt's).* l. larger than those of F. gigantea, dark green; midrib and veins deep red. An elegant species. SYNS. F. rubronervum, F. rubrovenosum. (I. H. 372, under name of Gymnostachium Verschaffelti.) F. V. argyroneura (silvery-veined).* l. broad, flat, oval, about 4in. long, and nearly 3in. wide, vivid green, traversed by a network of pure white veins. Habit dwarf and compact. 1867.
F. V. Pearcei (Pearce's).* l. about 3in. or 4in. long, 2in. or 3in. broad, light bright green; midrib and veins light bright carmine); under surface somewhat glaucous.