Libonia
(named after M. Libon, a traveller in Brazil). ORD. Acanthaceae. This genus is now included, by Bentham and Hooker, under Jacobinia; but, as the plants are well known by the former name, their culture, &c., are here given. Libonias, when well grown, are very ornamental and free-flowering plants for greenhouse decoration. They are readily propagated by cuttings, inserted in any close frame during spring and early summer. L. floribunda is a species largely grown for winter flowering--a purpose for which it proves a very useful subject. Old plants, from which it is intended to propagate, should be placed in a little heat, early in spring, to start new growth, and the cuttings should then be inserted in sandy soil, and kept close until rooted. They may be potted off singly afterwards, and grown, throughout the summer, in a frame, where plenty of air may be admitted, to induce a sturdy and short-jointed growth. Turfy loam, with about its bulk of leaf soil, or well-decayed manure, added, is a suitable compost; and 5in. or 6in. pots are generally large enough for the plants to flower in. A light shading may be applied in hot weather; but full sun must be admitted in early autumn, to thoroughly ripen the wood for flowering. Some persons prefer planting out in frames, early in June, in prepared soil, and lifting again in autumn. If kept close for a few days, after being potted up, the plants soon become re-established, and the plan answers well. Old plants may be cut back after flowering, and grown, under similar routine treatment, several years in succession. It is advisable to raise a few young ones annually, for replacing any that become leggy. Libonias require an intermediate temperature when flowering; they must also be kept well watered, or the result will be a loss of nearly all the leaves. Red spider frequently attacks them, and, when once allowed a footing, is only with difficulty eradicated. Frequent syringing throughout the summer will generally prove an effectual preventive against much injury being caused.
L. floribunda (bundle-flowered).* fl. scarlet, yellow tipped, tubular, drooping, very abundant; calyx five-cleft; corolla funnel-tubular; limb erect, bilabiate. l. elliptic-oblong. Brazil, 1862. A very ornamental plant. (B. H. 1863, 2.) L. Penrhosiensis (Penrhose).* A very elegant plant, obtained by crossing L. floribunda with Jacobinia (Sericographis) Ghiesbreghtiana. It has much brighter and deeper-coloured flowers than its parent, and the leaves are more acute. It is an exceedingly useful decorative plant, freely producing its fine showy flowers, which are of a bright rich crimson, passing into fiery red, in the depth of winter. (R. H. 1876, 50.)