Lisianthus
(said to be derived from lysis, dissolution, and anthos, a flower; a name given to the plant on account of the medicinal virtues it possesses of dissolving humours, being a powerful cathartic). Sometimes spelt Lisyanthus. ORD. Gentianeae. A genus comprising about fifty species of greenhouse or half-hardy herbs or shrubs, natives of tropical America. Flowers blue, purple, white, or yellowish-green, showy, erect or nodding, in terminal cymes; corolla funnel-shaped; tube shortly cylindrical at base; limb oblique, or equally five-lobed, often shorter than the tube, obtuse or acute, twisted. Capsules nodding, or rarely erect. Leaves opposite, sessile or petiolate, narrow, rather fleshy-coriaceous, rarely broad, membranaceous. The species of Lisianthus, and also those of Eustoma, which are more frequently referred to as belonging to the same genus, are amongst the most difficult of plants to cultivate successfully. They are very handsome when in flower, and, consequently, well repay for the devotion of a little more than ordinary attention, with a view to bringing them to perfection. Some of the species are only of annual duration, and may be increased by seeds; others, of a shrubby habit, may be propagated from cuttings. Eustoma Russellianum, the plant generally known and grown in gardens as Lisianthus Russellianus, is more frequently seen than any of the species of the latter genus. If not a biennial, it should be treated as such, by preparing plants one season to flower the next. The seeds are very minute, and should be sown, in spring, on the surface of some light soil, merely covering by laying a pane of glass over the pot, and keeping it shaded in a situation where there is a little bottom heat, until germination takes place. When large enough to handle without injury, the young plants may be placed singly in small pots, using, at this and subsequent times, a compost of loam, leaf mould, and peat, in about equal quantities, with an addition of some charcoal or sharp sand. A bed where there is a slight bottom heat from fermenting material, is the best place for the plants throughout the summer. They should be wintered in a warm green-house, choosing a light position, and watering very carefully. Early the following spring, they should be returned to a little bottom heat, and, when started into growth, be placed in 8in. pots for flowering. Mildew often proves very destructive, and must be guarded against. L. princeps is a very distinct and fine plant, rarely seen in cultivation.
L. acutangulus (acute-angled). fl. green, yellow, pendulous; peduncles dichotomous, panicled. January to May. l. connivent at the base; lower ones cordate, upper ones ovate. Stem fistular, acutely tetragonal. h. 3ft. St. Martha, 1845. Annual. (B. M. 4324.) L. exaltatus (exalted). A synonym of Eustoma exaltatum. L. Oerstedi (OErsted's). fl. greenish-yellow, whitish at the edge, unilateral, nodding, disposed in terminal racemose panicles; corolla infundibuliform, oblique l. opposite, elliptic or obovateoval. Nicaragua, 1871. Evergreen. L. princeps (chief).* fl. rich scarlet, melting into yellow at either end, with an emerald-green five-lobed limb, about 3in. long; disposed in clusters of four at the ends of the drooping twigs. l. ovate, acuminate, deep green, opposite. New Grenada. Evergreen.
L. pulcher (fair).* fl. scarlet, pendulous; panicles terminal, trichotomous; stamens exserted. August. l. petiolate, elliptic-lanceolate. Branches bluntly tetragonal. h. 5ft. New Grenada, 1847. Evergreen. (B. M. 4424.) L. Russellianus (Duke of Bedford's). A synonym of Eustoma Russellianum.