Latania
(its native name at Mauritius is Latanier). Bourbon Palm. ORD. Palmae. A small genus (three species have been described) of very handsome stove palms, natives of the Islands of the Mauritius. Flower-spikes branching, sheathed in incomplete spathes, producing males and females on different plants. Stems marked with circular scars, and bearing at the summit a tuft of fan-shaped leaves. The species thrive in a compost of two parts of rich loam and one of peat, to which may be added a small quantity of sand. The drainage must be at all times perfect. Propagated by sowing seeds in a compost similar to that mentioned above, and placing in a moist, gentle heat. L. aurea (golden). A synonym of L. Verschaffeltii.
L. borbonica (Bourbon). See Livistona chinensis.
L. Commersonii (Commerson's).* l. cuneate-flabellate, very deeply incised, gracefully recurved; segments margined with a reddish-chocolate-coloured band, and edged with fine teeth-like spines; petioles long and smooth, of a deep chocolate-red. Stem smooth and slender. h. 7ft. Mauritius and Bourbon, 1778. A very handsome and distinct species. SYN. L. rubra.
L. glaucophylla (glaucous-leaved). A synonym of L. Loddigesii. L. Loddigesii (Loddiges').* l. bright green, with a glaucous hue, palmate, plaited, from 2ft. to 4ft. from point of attachment to the margin, split down about one-third their length into broad segments; petioles from 2ft. to 8ft. in length, stout, spreading, very glaucous-green, slightly tinged with red in young plants. h. 10ft. Round Island, 1823. A very large and handsome species. SYN. L. glaucophylla.
L. rubra (red). A synonym of L. Commersonii.
L. Verschaffeltii (Verschaffelt's).* l. flabelliform and roundish, very deeply incised, erect, but somewhat spreading, deep glaucous-green; ribs of a golden colour; petiole smooth, of an orange tint, from 2ft. to 4ft. long. Stem stout. h. 7ft. Rodriguez Island. SYN. L. aurea. (I. H. 1859, 229.)