Including Fumana
ORD. Cistineae. A genus of showy, hardy, annual or perennial herb or sub-shrubs, often prostrate. Nearly 150 forms have been described as species; but, according to Bentham and Hooker, only about thirty are entitled to specific rank. They are natives of North, Central, and South America, and the Mediterranean region; a few extend to other parts of Europe and Western Asia, four species being members of the British Flora. Racemes secund, sometimes corymbose, sometimes paniculate; and before the flowers expand, the racemes at the top are bent or twisted backwards, becoming gradually erect as the flowers open. Leaves opposite and alternate. All the species are of easy culture in a sandy-loam soil, and are best adapted for banks and rockwork. The annual species must be raised from seed. The perennials may be similarly increased; but it is better to trust to cuttings, which root readily in a sandy soil, if kept shaded until established. The following is a selection of the more important species and varieties.
H. atriplicifolium (Atriplex-leaved). fl., petals yellow, large; peduncles racemose, hairy. June. l. stalked, broad-ovate, bluntish, waved at the base, tomentose on both surfaces. Branches white from tomentum. h. 4ft. Spain, 1659. Shrub.
H. canadense (Canadian). fl. pale yellow, minute, crowded; peduncles very short, one to three-flowered. Summer. l. oblong-linear; margins usually revolute; under surface tomentose. Branches very erect, pubescent. h. 1ft. North America, 1823. Herbaceous. (S. C. 21.) H. carolinianum (Carolina). fl. yellow, 1in. across. May and June. l. shortly stalked, lanceolate, denticulate, hairy. Base shrubby. h. 6in. to 12in. South United States. (S. C. 99.) H. formosum (showy).* fl., petals yellow, marked with a black spot at the base of each, large; peduncles villous. Summer. l. shortly stalked, obovate-lanceolate, tomentosely-villous; younger ones hoary. Branches canescent. h. 4ft. Portugal, 1780. Shrub. (B. M. 264; Gn. xxvi., 420, under name of Cistus formosus.) H. Fumana (smoky). fl. bright yellow. June. l. linear, fleshy, thinly hairy. South-western Europe. An elegant sub-shrub, of Heath-like habit. (S. C. 16.) H. globulariaefolium (Globularia-leaved). fl. citron-yellow, black-spotted, in dense racemes. Summer. l., radical ones long-stalked, ovate-oblong, hairy, upper surface furrowed; cauline ones sessile, lanceolate. Stems ascending, almost simple, herbaceous. h. 9in. Spain and Portugal, 1752. (B. M. 4873, under name of H. Tuberaria.) H. guttatum (spotted). fl. yellow, with red spot at the base of each petal, in unilateral cymes. Summer. l. opposite, sessile, oblong-linear, hairy. h. 6in. Europe (Britain), North Africa, and West Asia. Annual. H. halimifolium (Halimus-leaved).* fl. bright yellow, large, slightly spotted at the base of each petal. Summer. l. ovate-lanceolate, acute, wavy, pubescent. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Spain. Shrub. (S. C. 4.) H. italicum(Italian). fl. yellow, small; racemes simple, hispid. Summer. l., lower ones stalked, ovate; upper ones linear-oblong, almost sessile. Branches procumbent, long, hispid, shrubby. h. 3in. Europe, 1817. H. laevipes (smooth-stalked). fl. yellow. Summer. l. linear, needle-like. h. 1ft. South-western Europe. A beautiful little shrub, requiring shelter during severe weather. (B. M. 1782, under name of Cistus laevipes.) H. lavandulaefolium (Lavender-leaved). fl. yellow; racemes crowded. Summer. l. oblong-linear, with revolute margins; under surface tomentose, hoary. Stem shrubby, erect, branched; branches long, terete, canescent. h. 1ft. Mediterranean region, 1817.
H. ocymoides (Ocymum-like). fl., petals yellow, with a dark base, crenated; peduncles somewhat panicled, pilose. Summer. l. sessile, ovate-lanceolate, obtuse. Stem branched; branches, leaves, peduncles, and sepals beset with long loose hairs. h. 1ft. to 3ft. South-western Europe, 1800. Sub-shrub. (B. M. 5621.) H. algarvense (S. C. 40), H. candidum (S. C. 25), H. rugosum (S. C. 65), represent forms of this variable species.
H. polifolium (Polium-leaved). fl. white, marked yellow at the base; petals crenulated; racemes terminal, secund. Summer. l. oblong-linear, with revolute margins, tomentose on both surfaces. Stem shrubby, branched; branches procumbent, densely tomentose. Europe (Britain), North Africa. SYN. H. pulverulentum. (S. C. 88.) H. roscum is a beautiful variety, with rosy-red flowers. (S. C. 55.) H. pulverulentum (powdery). A synonym of H. polifolium. H. scoparium (broom). fl. yellow, small, by twos or threes at ends of branches, on naked pedicels; sepals five, three of which are oval and pointed, and two subulate; corolla twice as long as calyx. May and June. l. alternate, linear, without stipules. h. 3in. California, 1848. Perennial. H. serpyllifolium (Thyme-leaved). A synonym of H. vulgare ovalifolium. H. umbellatum (umbellate). fl. pure white, in a whorled raceme, ending in an umbel. June. l. linear-oblong, with revolute margins, ciliate, viscid when young. h. 9in. to 18in. Perennial. (S. C. 5.) H. vineale (vineyard). fl. yellow; racemes simple. Summer. l. variable, obovate, ovate, or elliptical, pilose. Stem suffruticose, procumbent, branched, ascending, tomentose, evergreen. Europe, 1772. H. vulgare (common).* fl. yellow; racemes loose; pedicels pilose. Spring and summer. l. scarcely revolute at the margins; under surface hoary; upper surface green, pilose. Stem shrubby, procumbent. Branches elongated. Europe (Britain), North Africa, and West Asia. (Sy. En. B. 168.) A curious variety, or (according to Bentham) an accidental deformity, occasionally seen in gardens, and supposed to have been originally found near Croydon, with small, narrow, deeply cut petals, has been figured under the name of H. surrejanum. The Rock-roses of our gardens are chiefly varieties of this species, which, under cultivation, varies much in the colour of its flowers. The following are amongst the most distinct of the innumerable forms:
H. v. barbatum (bearded). l. ovate or elliptic-lanceolate, clothed with long white hairs. (S. C. 73.) H. v. hyssopifolium (Hyssop-leaved). fl. coppery-red (S. C. 58) or saffron-coloured (S. C. 92). l. flat, linear-lanceolate or lanceolate; upper surface glossy. Of the one with coppery-red flowers, there is a double form. H. v. macranthum (large-flowered). fl. whitish, yellow at the base; racemes terminal, secund, simple. Summer. l. flat, ovate-oblong, acutish, densely tomentose beneath, smooth above. Branches shrubby, procumbent, rather tomentose.
H. v. mutabile (changeable). fl. pale rose-colour, yellow at base, becoming almost white before petals fall. Summer. (S. C. 106.) H. v. ovalifolium (oval-leaved). fl. yellow. l., lower ones roundish or oval, glossy green above, white beneath; margins more or less revolute. SYN. H. serpyllifolium. (S. C. 60.) HELIANTHUS (from helios, the sun, and anthos, a flower). Sunflower. Including Harpalium. ORD. Compositae. A genus containing about fifty species of tall, hardy, annual or perennial herbs, natives, for the most part, of North America; a few, however, are found in Peru and Chili. Flower-heads very large; ray-florets yellow; disk-florets purple or violet. Leaves large, simple, scabrid. All the species are of easy culture in almost any moderately good garden soil. The taller-growing ones are best adapted for growing in a shrubbery, or in the back rows of herbaceous borders, where they will require plenty of space to fully develop. Propagated by divisions; or by seeds, sown either in pots, and the seedlings afterwards transplanted, or in the open ground, about March.
H. angustifolius (narrow-leaved). fl.-heads about 1 1/2in. across, numerously disposed in a long, leafy raceme. September and October. l. dark green, narrow, tufted, glossy. Stems slender. h. 2 1/2ft. Perennial. H. annuus (annual).* Common Sunflower. fl.-heads very large, varying in size and colour. Summer. h. 6ft. Western United States, 1596. (B. M. 2051.) Of the many varieties of this annual species, the finest is globosus fistulosus the flowers of which are very large, and of a splendid, extremely double, globular form, when fully developed. It is best grown in a rich, deep soil. Other forms are: californicus plenissimus cucumerifolius, giganteus, and grandiflorus. H. a. macrocarpus (large-fruited). A cultivated race, with larger and lighter-coloured achenes, long cultivated in Russia, &c., for food and oil. H. argophyllus (silver-leaved). fl.-heads yellow. Autumn. l. clothed with a soft, silky, silvery down. h. 6ft. Texas. This species is closely allied to H. annuus, into which it appears to degenerate under cultivation. Annual. H. atrorubens (dark-red). fl.-heads scattered; disk dark red or purple; rays yellow, acuminated, entire. l., radical ones flat, hairy; upper ones twisted and waved, hairy, tuberculated. Stems purple, rough, with whitish hairs. h. 2ft. to 3ft. United states, 1732. Perennial.
H. decapetalus (ten-petaled). fl.-heads about 2in. across, terminal, solitary, on slender, twiggy branchlets. Autumn. l., lower ones somewhat ovate-acuminate, hardly 6in. long; upper ones 2in. to 3in. long; all somewhat obscurely serrate. h. 5ft. Perennial. (B. M. 3510.) H. d. multiflorus (many-flowered).* This is a very old garden plant, only known in cultivation. It has firmer leaves, larger heads, and more numerous bracts than decapetalus. (B. M. 227, under name of H. multiflorus.) The common form is of dwarf habit, with double flowers.
H. d. multiflorus major only differs from ordinary multiflorus in its larger flower-heads.
H. diffusus (diffuse). A synonym of H. rigidus.
H. lenticularis (lenticular). fl.-heads yellow, large, drooping; scale of involucre expanded, scabrous on the back. August. l. alternate, petiolate, ovate, three-nerved, serrate. Stem hispid. h. 6ft. North America, 1827. (B. R. 1265.) This is a variety of the Common Sunflower, H. annuus. H. mollis (soft). fl.-heads yellow. July to October. l. ovate, acuminate, three-nerved, closely-serrated, scabrous above, hoary and soft beneath. h. 4ft. North America, 1805. (B. M. 3689.) H. orgyalis (6ft. high).* fl.-heads yellow, comparatively small, numerous, forming a large panicle. Autumn. l. alternate, numerous, very narrow and recurved, 5in. to 8in. long, 1/2in. to 1in. wide. h. 6ft. to 10ft. United States, 1879. Very graceful, and one of the best and most useful decorative autumnal-flowering plants. Perennial.
H. pubescens (downy). See Wyethia angustifolia.
H. rigidus (rigid).* fl.-heads glistening golden-yellow, about 4in. across, formed of a deep ray and small disk; ray-florets 1 1/2in. long. 1/2in. broad, tips incurved, and edges reflexed; disk-florets chocolate colour; involucre scaly; peduncles long, hairy. August. l., stem ones very hispid, lanceolate, slightly dentate; radical ones few, oval, 5in. or 6in. long. h. 3ft. North America. Perennial. SYN. H. diffusus. (B. M. 2020.) H. tuberosus (tuberous). Jerusalem Artichoke. fl.-heads yellow. September and October. l. three-nerved, scabrous; lower cordate-ovate, upper ovate-acuminate, alternate; petioles ciliated at base. Roots creeping, and towards the end of autumn produce a number of round, irregular, reddish or yellow tubers, clustered together, and of about the size of an ordinary potato. h. 6ft. to 8ft. Upper Canada and United States, 1617. This was cultivated by the aborigines, and the tubers developed. It is certainly not South American, as stated in so many books. The common name of this species is supposed to be a corruption of the Italian Girasole articocco, or Sunflower Artichoke. For culture, see Artichoke, Jerusalem.
HELICHRYSUM (an old Greek name used by Theophrastus; the latter part of the word, from chrysos, gold, refers to the colour of the flowers). Everlastings. SYN. Elichrysum. ORD. Compositae. A genus comprising 260 species of greenhouse or hardy, herbaceous or shrubby plants, natives, for the most part, of the Cape of Good Hope. Flower-heads large, solitary; involucral bracts scarious, not silvery, spreading or recurved, or clustered and small with incurved bracts; pappus rough or subplumose. Very few species are grown in our gardens. Helichrysums succeed best in a rich loamy soil, either when grown in pots or planted out. The annual species, and the varieties (of which there are a good number) of H. bracteatum, may be readily raised from seed, sown in a light heat, in March, and afterwards transplanted, or in the open ground at the latter end of that month. The greenhouse and half-hardy perennial species may be propagated by cuttings, inserted in spring, in a close frame, without much heat. Flowers that are intended for drying should be gathered when partially unfolded, and suspended with their heads downward in a cool shed. Any that are required to ripen seed must be allowed to remain on the plants until naturally developed.
H. apiculatum (small-pointed). fl.-heads yellow, in small clustered corymbs. h. 1 1/2ft. Australia, 1804. Plant covered with a silvery tomentum. Half-hardy perennial.
H. arenarium (sand-loving).* Yellow Everlasting. fl.-heads bright golden-yellow, disposed in a compound corymb. Summer. l. lanceolate, entire, stem-clasping, blunt and recurved at tips, with revolute edges; downy white on both surfaces. Stem upright, simple, downy. h. 6in. to 12in. Europe, 1739. Hardy herbaceous. The flowers of this species are very extensively used for decorative purposes, and are popularly known as Immortelles. They are also largely employed in the making of funeral wreaths, crosses, &c. H. bracteatum (bracteate).* fl.-heads very various, solitary, terminal. August. l. lanceolate, entire. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Australia, 1799. Half-hardy annual. H. acuminatum, H. chrysanthum, and H. macrocephalum, are mere forms of this species.
H. b. aureum (golden). fl-heads golden-yellow.
H. b. bicolor (two-coloured). fl.-heads yellow. August. l. linear-lanceolate, acuminate, obtuse at the base, roughly ciliated; upper ones subulate. 1835. (B. R. 1814.) H. b. compositum (compound) is a fine "double" strain, with various-coloured flower-heads.
H. b. macranthum (large-flowered). fl.-heads white, rose coloured outside. (B. R. 1838, 58.) H. b. niveum (snowy).* fl.-heads white, yellow, large, solitary, terminal; scales of involucre white, conniving, ovate, mucronate. June. 1838. (B. M. 3857.) H. buphthalmoides (Buphthalmum-like). A synonym of H. scorpioides. H. ericaefolium (Health-leaved). fl.-heads, outer involucre rough; inner flesh-coloured. March to August. l. sessile, linear. h. 1 1/2ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1774. Greenhouse shrub. (B.M. 435, under name of Gnaphalium ericoides.) H. felinum (feline). fl.-heads purple. May and June. l. lanceolate, sessile, three-nerved, naked above, woolly beneath. h. 3ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1791. Greenhouse shrub. (B. R 243, under name of Gnaphalium congestum.) H. foetidum (foetid). fl.-heads light yellow. June to September. l. amplexicaul, entire, acute, downy beneath. Stem branched. h. 2ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1692. Greenhouse herb. (B. M. 1987, under name of Gnaphalium foetidum.) H. frigidum (frigid). fl.-heads silvery white, about 1/2in. in diameter. May. l. small, silky-hairy. h. 3in. Corsica, 1879. Plant elegant with decumbent branches. Half-hardy. (B. M. 6515.) H. grandiflorum (large-flowered). fl.-heads white; corymb stalked; involucre cylindrical. June to August. l. amplexicaul, ovate-oblong, three-nerved, woolly above. h. 3ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1731. Greenhouse sub-shrub. (A. B. R. 489, under name of Gnaphalium grandiflorum.) H. graveolens (strong-scented). fl.-heads yellow, small, disposed in clusters. l. linear, sessile. Tauria, 1877. Plant woolly, half-hardy, herbaceous. (R. G. 889.) H. Gunnii (Gunn's). A synonym of H. scorpioides.
H. Mannii (Mann's). fl. globose, 1in. across, numerous, disposed in a large convex umbel, 6in. to 8in. across, at the summit of the stem; involucre white, of numerous closely imbricated scales; disk-florets innumerable, bright yellow; pappus hairs slightly thickened upwards. September. l. close placed, spreading, lanceolate, acuminate, slightly tortuose. Stem brown, woody, naked below, becoming gradually herbaceous, and clothed with leaves upwards. h. 2ft. or more (in cultivation). Fernando Po and Cameroons, 1863. Greenhouse shrub. (B. M. 5431.) H. plicatum (folded). fl.-heads white, corymbose, large. l. narrow, tapering into a long stalk. Macedonia, 1877. Plant woolly, forming prostrate, spreading, greyish tufts. An excellent hardy herbaceous plant for clothing dry, stony banks. (R. G. 889.) H. scorpioides (scorpion-like). fl.-heads, involucre broadly hemispherical; bracts very numerous, the outer ones short, often tinged with brown, passing into the intermediate ones, of a bright yellow, usually narrow. l. from oblong-spathulate to linear, mostly acute, glabrous or scabrous above, loosely woolly underneath, the upper ones few and small. Stem ascending or erect, usually simple, often exceeding 1ft., and rather weak. Australia, 1838. Greenhouse herbaceous perennial. SYNS. H. buphthalmoides, H. Gunnii. H. Stoechas. Goldy-locks. fl-heads yellow, corymbose, crowded, shortly stalked. Summer. l. sessile, linear, obtuse, silvery underneath. Stems branching, spreading, covered with silvery down. h. 1ft. South Europe, 1629. Hardy evergreen sub-shrub.
HELICODICEROS (from helix, helikos, spiral, dis, twice, and keras, a horn; in allusion to the basal divisions of the leaf twisting and standing erect, and thus somewhat resembling horns). ORD. Aroideae (Araceae). A hardy tuberous perennial herb, allied to Arum. It requires the protection of a frame in severe weather. For culture, see Arum.
H. crinitus (hairy-spathed).* fl. dark purple-brown; spadix cylindrical, shorter than the ovate, flat, brown spathe, which is hairy inside. April. l. pedate; lobes entire. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. Corsica, 1777. SYN. Arum crinitum. HELICONIA (from Helicon, a mountain in Greece, consecrated to the Muses). ORD. Scitamineae. A genus allied to Musa, containing about twenty-five species, all of which are natives of the tropical regions of the Western hemisphere. They are ornamental, but rarely-grown, stove herbaceous perennials, with inconspicuous flowers, borne on short spathes, and handsome foliage. Heliconias may be propagated from seed, but the best method is by division of the root-stock when growth commences in spring. Separate pieces may be inserted in 5in. pots, and grown on rapidly in a moist stove temperature, repotting into larger sizes as becomes requisite; or they may be planted out in the stove, if desired. A rich, loamy, open soil is best, and plenty of water should be applied during the growing season, withholding it when the plants die down, in winter. Shade must be given in summer, to prevent the sun injuring the foliage.
H. aureo-striata (golden-striped).* l. deep green, with the course of the parallel-curved veins from the costa to the margin traced out by yellow lines; elongate-ovate, cordate at the base. Stems striated with green and yellow. 1881. A noble plant. (I. H. n. s. 464.) H. bicolor (two-coloured). fl. white, tripped with greenish; ovaries and spathes scarlet. l. long-stalked, gracefully arching. Brazil. (R. G. 172.) H. Bihai (Bihai).* fl. red or orange-colour. July and August. l. on long petioles, ovate-lanceolate, some of which are slightly curved towards the edges. h. 12ft. West Indies, 1786. A handsome and graceful foliage plant. (B. R. 374.) H. brevispatha (short-spathed). fl. white; spike short, of not more than four or five orange-red spathes, of which the inferior one is flowerless; the rest are much smaller and gradually shorter upwards. Summer. l. oblong, rather obtuse at the base, much acuminated at the apex, quite glabrous; petioles short. h. 3ft. South America, 1861. A very singular plant. (B. M. 5416.) H. humilis (humble). fl. whitish-green, sessile; spathes five to seven, broadly boat-shaped, many-flowered, scarlet. l. oblong, acute at both ends; petioles long, exceeding the scape. Guiana, 1867. (B. M. 5613.) H. metallica (metallic). l. elegantly drooping and recurved, broadly lanceolate; central rib, margins, and curving veins of a dark bronzy-red, which is also the colour of the under surface; petioles distichous, bronzy-red. New Grenada, 1862. (B. M. 5315.) H. psittacorum (parrot-beaked).* fl. orange, in clusters upon short peduncles, within a lanceolate spathe. August. l. smooth, shining, alternate, lanceolate-elliptic, acuminate, many-nerved; footstalks membranous, sheathing the stem. Stem polished, straight, round; upper part naked; lower part clothed with leaves. h. 8ft. (in cultivation, 3ft). Jamaica, 1797. A beautiful plant. (B. M. 502.) H. triumphans (triumphant).* l. oblong-acute, dark green, picked out with narrow blackish stripes running from the midrib to the margin at distant intervals. Introduced to Europe from Sumatra, in 1883 (but probably of New World origin). (G. C. n. s., xix., p. 565.) H. vinosa (wine-red). l. large, broadly oblong, 1 1/2ft. long, acuminated, bright green above, purplish beneath; upper surface transversely plicate or ridged. Stem slender, greenish. Columbia, 1871.
HELICTERES (from helikter, a twisted bracelet; so called from the screw-shaped carpels). ORD. Sterculiaceae. A genus comprising about thirty species of pubescent or tomentose, stellate or branched, stove trees or shrubs, distributed over the warmer regions of both hemispheres, the majority being American. Flowers axillary, solitary or fasciculate. Capsules often stellato-tomentose. Leaves entire or serrate. The undermentioned is the species best known to cultivation in this country. Helicteres thrive in a mixture of loam and peat. Propagated by cuttings, taken off at a joint, and inserted in sand, under a glass, in heat.
H. Isora (Isora). fl. orange-red, axillary. September. l. much resembling, in form and substance, those of the Hazel Nut; when young, tomentose on both sides; the old leaves lose their subescence on the upper surface. h. 6ft. India, Australia, &c. (B. M. 2061.) HELINUS (from helinos, a tendril; in reference to its climbing habit). ORD. Rhamneae. A genus comprising two or three species of climbing shrubs, natives of Abyssinia and South Africa. Flowers umbelled. Leaves alternate, entire, cordate. Branches slender, angular. H. ovatus is a greenhouse shrubby climber; it requires rich, sandy loam, and plenty of pot room. Increased by seeds; and by half-ripened cuttings, placed in sand, in gentle heat. H. ovatus (ovate). fl. greenish, in umbels. l. stalked, suborbicular, mucronate, feather-nerved. Branches irregular; tendrils spiral. Natal, 1862. HELIOCARPUS (from helios, the sun, and karpos, a fruit; the valves of the capsule are elegantly ciliated around on all sides). ORD. Tiliaceae. A genus comprising four species of trees or shrubs, inhabiting tropical America. H. americanus, in all probability the only species yet introduced, is a stove evergreen shrub, thriving in sandy loam and fibry peat. Half-ripened cuttings will root, during summer, in sand, under a bell glass. H. americanus (American). fl. purple, small, disposed in cymes. July. l. cordate, serrate, three-lobed, simple. h. 14ft. to 20ft. 1733. HELIOPHILA (from helios, the sun, and phileo, to love; in reference to the plants growing in sunny situations). ORD. Cruciferae. A genus containing (according to Sonder) sixty species of annual herbs or sub-shrubs; but the number is considerably reduced by Bentham and Hooker. All are natives of South Africa. Racemes elongated. Leaves very variable. Stem round, branched. The annual species are the only sorts grown in our gardens; and these are of easy culture. Seeds should be sown in the open border, during March or April; or, for an earlier display, in March, in frames, and afterwards planted out. H. amplexicaulis (stem-clasping). fl. varying from white to purplish, small. June to September. l., lower ones opposite; upper ones alternate, cordate, stem-clasping, oblong, entire. h. 9in. 1774.
H. coronopifolia (buckhorn-leaved). fl. blue-violet, spreading. June to September. l. pinnate-parted; lobes linear, quite entire. h. 1ft. to 2ft. 1778.
H. pilosa (hairy). fl. blue. June and July. l. hairy; lower ones lanceolate, pinnatifid; upper ones linear, quite entire. h. 6in. to 12in. 1820. (B. M. 2526, under name of H. stricta.) H. p. incisa (incised). l. linear-cuneate, trifid at the point, rarely five-fid; lobes linear or acuminate. (B. M. 496, under name of H. arabioides.) HELIOPSIS (from helios, the sun, and opsis, like; in allusion to the appearance of the flowers). ORD. Compositae. A genus comprising about six species of hardy herbs, perennials--with the exception of a couple of species of unintroduced annuals--two of which are from North America, and the third from Central and South America. Flower-heads rather large; corolla yellow. Leaves petiolate, all opposite or the upper ones rarely alternate. For culture, see Helianthus.
H. laevis (smooth). fl.-heads about 3in. across, terminal, on long stalks. Autumn. l. ovate-lanceolate, coarsely serrate. h. 3ft. to 6ft. North America, 1714. (B. M. 3372.) There is a variety, scabra, having a somewhat hoary involucre and roughish foliage.
HELIOTROPIUM (old Greek name used by Theophrastus, from helios, the sun, and trope, a turning; according to the ancients, it turned with the sun). Heliotrope; Turnsole. ORD. Boragineae. A large genus (about 150 species have been described, although, in all probability, not more than 100 are entitled to specific rank) of ornamental, strigose, greenhouse or hardy annual herbs or sub-shrubs, rarely shrubs, widely dispersed throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions, with eight species reaching to Europe. Flowers blue or white, small, in circinate, secund spikes; corolla salvershaped. Leaves alternate, rarely sub-opposite. H. peruvianum and its varieties are amongst the most popular of cultivated plants, on account of the fragrant smell emitted by their flowers. The plants do not require any great amount of heat, but none are more quickly injured by cold, especially when this reaches the freezing point. They may be grown as dwarf decorative subjects, in small pots, or treated as large pyramid and standard specimens. Some of the varieties are very dwarf, and are useful for summer bedding. Old specimens of taller-growing ones are frequently found trained on the back wall of a warm greenhouse. Cultivation. Heliotropiums, or Heliotropes, as they are more popularly called, may be readily increased from seeds or cuttings; the latter method being adopted with named varieties. Young growing points make the best cuttings; and early spring, or the month of August, is a good time for inserting them. If old plants are grown in heat, cuttings from them root quickly in a close frame, and their points may afterwards be used for increasing stock in preference to others not growing so vigorously. The young plants should be potted off singly, and grown on in a temperature of about 60deg., repotting in larger sizes as becomes requisite, and according to the shape or size of plant required. Cuttings intended for standards should be inserted in the autumn, and kept growing all the winter, with a single stem, until they reach the desired height, when the points may be stopped, and the side branches will soon form a head. Old plants may be grown as standards several years in comparatively small pots, by reducing and potting up again in new soil each year. The heads may be trained on trellises, or the branches merely tied in to each other. Large pyramids can be grown in one year by an autumn insertion of cuttings, and due attention. They should be transferred to the full-sized pots as soon as possible, in proportion to their growth, and each trained to a pyramid trellis of any ordinary size. Small decorative plants may be grown to flower in 5in. or 6in. pots, by keeping them pinched when young. Cuttings of varieties used for bedding, should be taken about the middle of August, inserted rather thickly in pots or pans, and placed in a close frame. These should be kept as a stock for spring propagating, and may then be thrown away, as young plants are preferable. Being extremely tender, none should be planted out until June, when the bedding season is nearly over. Standards or others, intended for winter flowering, are best placed outside in a warm position, in summer, to thoroughly ripen them. They should be housed by September, and kept in a temperature of about 55deg. in winter.
H. convolvulaceum (Convolvulus-flowered)* fl. white, sweet-scented, opening at night, generally opposite the leaves and terminal, short-peduncled; corolla limb ample, angulate-lobed. Summer. l. lanceolate, or sometimes nearly ovate, and sometimes linear, short-petioled. h. 2ft. New Mexico, 1867. An extremely showy hardy annual plant. (B. M. 5615.) H. corymbosum (corymbose).* fl. lilac; spikes terminal, aggregate, corymbose; sepals long, subulate. May to September. l. oblong-lanceolate. h. 4ft. Peru, 1808. Greenhouse shrub. (B. M. 1609.) H. curassavicum (curacoa). fl., corolla limb ample, five-lobed; throat white, with a yellow eye, open; spikes mostly in pairs or twice-forked, densely flowered. June and July. l. linear-lanceolate, glaucous, smooth, opposite and alternate. h. 9in. West Indies, 1731. Stove sub-shrub. (B. M. 2669.) H. indicum (Indian).* fl. bluish; spikes mostly single, dense-flowered, becoming 9in. to 1ft. long. June to August. l. ovate or oval, rather cordate, on margined petioles, obscurely serrate or undulate. h. 1ft. West Indies, 1713. Stove annual. (B. M. 1837.) H. luteum (yellow). fl. green, yellow, hypocrateriform. June to October. l. stalked. Stem shrubby. h. 6ft. North Africa, &c., 1779. Greenhouse. (B. R. 464, under name of Tournefortia fruticosa.) H. peruvianum (Peruvian).* Common Heliotrope; Cherry Pie. fl. very fragrant; spikes terminal, branched, by threes and fours, rarely compound. l. petiolate, oblong-lanceolate, wrinkled, repand, hairy. Stem shrubby. Peru, 1757. Greenhouse. (B. M. 141.) H. Voltaireanum (Voltaire's). fl. violet. A fine dwarf-growing hybrid. Greenhouse.
Varieties. Of the numerous varieties in cultivation, the subjoined list is a good selection, most of them being of continental origin. For reference and selection, the list is further divided into classes, according to the colour of the flowers and foliage. Those marked with an asterisk are recommended either for their general floriferous habit or for their highly-perfumed flowers.
ADELE, flowers dark lilac, trusses very large; leaves light green, rough; vigorous, free-flowering habit. BOUQUET PERFUME, flowers dark, trusses medium size; very dwarf floriferous habit; an excellent variety. BUFFON, flowers pale lilac, trusses medium size; tall free-growing habit. FLEUR D'ETE, flowers lilac, trusses medium; foliage dark green; rather shy-flowering. MADAME BARBEY, flowers pale-coloured, trusses small; foliage pale green. MADAME DE BLOUAY, flowers pale lilac, trusses large; foliage pale green. MADAME E. SCHILLER, flowers dark-coloured, trusses small; leaves long, narrow. MADAME JUBBINGER, flowers and leaves very dark; floriferous habit; good. MADAME M. KOPFF, flowers whitish-lilac, trusses medium; leaves rough. MADAME P. ATHLES, flowers dark-coloured, trusses large, very freely produced; foliage very dark; good. MISS NIGHTINGALE, flowers dark lilac; dwarf floriferous habit; one of the best for bedding. M. VILGRAIN, flowers pale lilac, trusses immense; very free. ROSE CLAIR, flowers dark, trusses rather small but very plentiful; foliage intensely dark. WHITE LADY, flowers whitish-lilac, becoming nearly white under glass, trusses very large, free; fine variety for winter flowering.
Class I. Foliage and Flowers dark-coloured. *MADAME JUBBINGER, *MISS NIGHTINGALE, *ROSE CLAIR.
Class II. Foliage and Flowers pale-coloured. *BUFFON, MADAME BARBEY, MADAME DE BLOUAY, MADAME M. KOPFF, *M. VILGRAIN, *WHITE LADY.
Class III. Foliage green, Flowers dark-coloured. *ADELE, *BOUQUET PERFUME, FLEUR D'ETE, MADAME E. SCHILLER, *MADAME P. ATHLES.
HELIPTERUM (from helios, the sun, and pteron, a wing; referring to plumed pappus). Including Astelma and Rhodanthe. ORD. Compositae. A genus comprising forty-two species of half-hardy annual or perennial herbs, rarely small shrubs, of which twelve are from South Africa, and the rest from Australia. The genus is closely allied to Helichrysum, but is distinguished from it by having the hairs of the pappus plumose or feathery, instead of pilose (rough). Helipterums may be raised from seeds, sown rather thickly in the open ground, about the end of March. A rather rich soil and warm position should be selected. H. Manglesii is a pretty and useful subject for pot culture. Seeds of it should be sown early in March, and placed in a warm house; when the young plants are large enough to handle, they should be pricked off, about eight in a 5in. pot, and grown on until they flower. This species may also be grown, with others, in the open ground.
H. canescens (hoary). This is the correct name of the plant described in this work as Astelma canescens (which see). (B. M. 420, under name of Xeranthemum canescens.) H. Cotula (Cotula-flowered). fl.-heads yellow, or white with a yellow eye; involucral scales radiating, scarious, oblong or oblong-lanceolate; pappus hairs thickened upwards, very plumose; achenes smooth. May. l. scattered (opposite in very young, weak plants), 1in. long, filiform, terete. Stem terete, generally much branched from the base, but sometimes single; branches very slender. h. 6in. to 24in. West Australia. Annual. (B. M. 5604.) H. gnaphalioides (Gnaphalium-like). fl.-heads, peduncles terminal, 2in. to 3in. long, cottony; involucre broadly cylindrical, of several imbricated reddish scales, cottony; receptacle faveolated; florets yellow, tubular, perfectly five-toothed. June. l. alternate, 2in. long, linear, almost filiform, waved, semi-cylindrical on the back, grooved in front, downy. Stems decumbent at base, throwing up numerous erect, downy branches. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1824. Perennial. (B. M. 2710, under name of Gnaphalium modestum.) H. Humboldtianum (Humboldt's).* fl.-heads small, numerous, in dense terminal corymbs; involucre cylindrical; outer bracts closely imbricate, with very short, squarrose, scarious tips; inner ones with slightly woolly-ciliate claws, and radiating, rather rigid, petal-like laminae, of a bright yellow, passing (when dry) into a metallic green. l. linear or linear-lanceolate, acute. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Western Australia, 1863. An erect woolly-white or at length nearly glabrous annual. SYN. H. Sandfordii (under which name it is figured in B. M. 5350).
H. incanum (white). fl.-heads large; involucral bracts yellow, pink, or white; peduncles leafless. l. linear, crowded at the base of the stem. h. 9in. Australia. Plant dwarf, tufted, branching, downy. Half-hardy annual. (B. M. 2881.) H. Manglesii (Mangles').* fl.-heads showy, on long peduncles bearing a few scarious scales; involucre hemispherical, when fully out the outer bracts sessile and scarious, the inner ones with a narrow claw and oblong, radiating, petal-like lamina, varying from a pale to a rich pink, and sometimes deep purple at the base; florets yellow or purple. l. ovate-oblong or broadly-lanceolate, clasping the stem with rounded auricles. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. Western Australia. An erect, glabrous, corymbosely branched annual. (B. M. 3483, 5283, 5290; B. R. 1703; S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 295, under name of Rhodanthe Manglesii.) H. Sandfordii (Sandford's). A synonym of II. Humboldtianum. H. speciosissimum (very showy). This is the correct name of the plant described in this work as Astelma speciosissimum which see). (A. B. R. 51, under name of Xeranthemum speciosum.) HELLEBORUS (from Helleboros, the old Greek name used by Theophrastus; probably of foreign origin). Helle-bore. ORD. Ranunculaceae. A genus comprising about a dozen species of ornamental hardy, erect, perennial herbs, inhabiting South Europe and Western Asia. Flowers white, greenish, yellow or purple, rather large, solitary, or paniculate; sepals five, regular, usually persistent; petals small, tubular. Leaves palmate or pedate, leathery. Hellebores thrive in almost any ordinary garden soil, but a rich loam, with a moist, rather shady, perfectly drained situation, suits them best. A top-dressing of good rotten manure, about the end of March, after the plants have finished flowering, is very beneficial. Hellebores should be planted so that they may be conveniently shaded when in flower, as, being usually produced in winter and early spring, the blossoms--the white sorts especially--are damaged with mud splashes. H. niger and its varieties, popularly known as Christmas Roses, are largely cultivated for the use of their flowers, in a cut state, in mid-winter. The roots may be lifted, and placed in a gentle heat, under glass; but they should not be forced much. The flowers will be better, if only the protection of a frame or hand glass is afforded them, in the open ground; or they may be improved by cutting, and allowing them to expand in water, in a warm house. All are easily increased by root divisions, but the stock should be strong and healthy. Seeds may also be sown so soon as ripe; but this mode of propagation is very slow, and scarcely worth the trouble involved, unless new varieties are desired.
H. abchasicus (Abchasian). fl. green or purplish, nutant, about 2in. across; sepals oval, waved, not overlapping each other, petals numerous; anthers yellow. January to March l. about 1ft. in diameter, with five to seven spathulate-lanceolate, widely spreading, smooth, toothed leaflets. h. 1ft. Caucasus. Evergreen.
H. atrorubens (dark-red). fl. deep purple when young, with the edges and centre ultinately dull purple; sepals roundish, about 1in. long. March. l., radical ones pedate; cauline ones almost sessile, palmate. Stems branched, two to four-flowered. h. 18in. South Europe, 1820. (B. M. 4581.) H. caucasicus (Caucasian). fl. pale green; sepals much imbricated, about 1 1/2in. long. l. very glossy, oblong, 3in. to 4in. broad. h. 1 1/2ft. Caucasus, 1853.
H. c. punctatus (dotted). A garden hybrid, with rosy-coloured dotted sepals. H. colchicus (Colchican). fl. deep bright purple; sepals somewhat round and flat, much imbricated; stamens yellow. January to March. l. very large, pedate, dentate, distinctly veined. Stems three to six-flowered. h. 18in. Asia Minor. (R. G. 293.) H. foetidus (foetid). Bear's Foot. fl. green, nearly 1in. across, disposed in panicled cymes; sepals edged with brown, which turns to a purplish tint. December to April. l. alternate, persistent, dull green, small, pedate; segments linear, shallowly, inciso-serrate. h. 2ft. Europe (Britain). Very distinct and ornamental.(Sy. En. B. 45.) H. lividus (livid). fl. pale green, ten to twenty in a deltoid corymb; sepals nearly flat and spreading. March. l. trifid, glabrous; segments oblong-lanceolate, acute, sharply toothed. Stems erect, bearing eight or ten leaves crowded near the base, below the inflorescence. h. 1 1/2ft. Corsica. (B. M. 72.) H. niger(black).* Christmas Rose. fl., when protected by glass, pure white, 2in. to 3in. across; scapes stout, leafless, one to four-flowered. Winter. l. radical, large, pedate, persistent; segments oblanceolate-rhomboid, shallowly incised. h. 6in. to 18in. Central and Eastern Europe, Western Asia, 1596. The roots of this species are occasionally used in medicine. 213. (B. M. 8.) There are two or three varieties of this fine species: altifolius usually known as major, and also as maximus, has very large flowers, measuring about 4in. across; it is one of the best of the genus. angustifolius (SYN. minor) has both foliage and flowers smaller than the typical species, and comes into bloom much earlier. There is also a form having foliage distinctly margined with white.
H. odorus (sweet-scented). fl. green, sweet-scented, drooping, 2in. across; corymb three or four-flowered. February to April. l. pale green, veined with white, one or two in a tuft to a flowering stem, pedate; segments six to eight, lanceolate, regularly toothed. h. 1 1/2ft. Eastern Europe, 1817. (B. R. 1643.) H. o. purpurascens (purplish). fl. purplish-red, about 2in. across; sepals roundish, imbricated, incurved at the edges; stamens and anthers creamy-white. Stem one or two-flowered. h. 6in. to 10in. Hungary, 1817. H. olympicus (Olympian).* fl. purplish; sepals round, about 1in. long and broad. Spring. l. digitate-pedate, or palmate, with five to seven linear-oblong, smooth, dentate-serrate lobes. Stems two or three-flowered. h. 2ft. Greece, 1840. (B. R. 1842, 58.) H. orientalis (Eastern). fl. rose-coloured, large; sepals much imbricated, spreading; flowering stems with two to six blossoms, and large, deeply palmately cut, foliaceous bracts. February to May. l. shortly pedate, persistent, pubescent beneath; segments seven to nine, oblanceolate-oblong, not palmately cut, serrate. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Greece, 1839. Several forms, usually described as species, are mere varieties of H. orientalis. Among others, the following may be enumerated: antiquorum differs from the type by its glabrous leaves, produced two in a tuft; flowers white, softly toned with pink and grey. guttatus, flowers 2in. across, white; sepals spotted with purple; leaves two in a tuft, with a flowering stem. Some of the hybrids of H. orientalis are: elegans, iridescens, and punctatus.
H. viridis (green). fl. bright green; flowering stem with five or six distinct blossoms, and large, deeply palmately cut, foliaceous bracts; sepals roundish-ovate. Spring. l. pedate, with crowded, oblanceolate, serrated segments. h. 1 1/2ft. Europe (Britain), &c. (Sy. En. B. 44.)