Loddigesii
(L. B. C. 1038, under name of L. tenella.) L. Loddigesii (Loddiges'). A synonym of L. ciliata.
L. oxycoccoides (Oxycoccus-like). fl. white, with reddish nerves, axillary and terminal, at the tops of the branches. July. l. alternate, reflexed, ovate-lanceolate, acute, thin, denticulated at the base. Stem erect or ascending, much-branched; branches diffuse. h. 6in to 12in. Cape of Good Hope, 1787.
L. sessiliflora (sessile-flowered). fl. blue, numerous, terminal and axillary, solitary, racemose. l. alternate, rarely opposite, numerous, very narrow, erectish or spreading. Stem ascending or erect, rather woody, mostly simple or branched. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. Cape of Good Hope.
L. tenella (delicate). A synonym of L. ciliata.
LIGULARIA (from ligula, a strap; referring to the florets). ORD. Compositae. A genus comprising about a score species of hardy herbaceous perennials, with handsome leaves, now included, by Bentham and Hooker, under Senecio. Ligularias require generally a free, moist soil, and prefer a rather peaty one. Propagated by divisions, in spring and autumn. Only the undermentioned species are worth growing.
L. japonica (Japanese). fl.-heads yellow, small, paniculate. Autumn. l. stalked, glabrous, green above, paler beneath; lower ones inciso-palmate, lobes unequally dentate; upper ones undivided, serrate. Japan. SYN. Erythochaete palmatifida.
L. Kaempferi aureo-maculata (Kaempfer's gold-spotted).* l. large, orbicular-cordate, dark green, glabrous, shining, irregularly blotched with yellow, or sometimes with white and rose. Stems thick, fleshy. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Japan. SYNS. Farfugium grande and Senecio Kaempferi aureo-maculata. (B. M. 5302.) L. macrophylla (large-leaved). fl.-heads yellow, borne in a dense, long, terminal spike. l. oval, very large, glaucous. h. 3 1/2ft. Caucasus. A very large and vigorous-growing perennial, and an excellent plant for sub-tropical gardening.
LIGUSTICUM (named from the country Liguria, where the officinal Lovage, L. Levisticum, abounds). ORD. Umbelliferae. A genus comprising about a score species of glabrous perennial herbs, dispersed over the Northern hemisphere. Flowers in compound umbels, often many-rayed; petals white, or rarely yellowish-white. Fruit ovate or oblong. Leaves pinnately or ternato-pinnately decompound. L. scoticum is sometimes employed as a potherb. It will grow in any ordinary soil, but is of no horticultural value. L. scoticum (Scotch). Lovage. fl., umbels of twelve to twenty rays, with a general involucre of two or three narrow bracts and more numerous ones to the partial umbels. Summer. l., lower ones on long stalks, deeply divided into three, each branch bearing three segments or one deeply three-lobed segment. Stem 1ft. to 2ft. high. Britain, &c.
LIGUSTRUM (the old Latin name used by Pliny, probably from ligare, to tie; referring to the use made of the flexible shoots). Privet. SYN. Visiania. ORD. Oleaceae. A genus comprising about twenty-five species of ornamental, hardy, evergreen or deciduous, glabrous shrubs or small trees, natives of Europe, temperate and tropical Asia, and Australia. Flowers often white, disposed in trichotomous or thyrsoid terminal panicles. Berry scarcely drupaceous. Leaves opposite, entire. The species and varieties are of easy culture in almost any soil and situation, such as the neighbourhood of large towns, where a smoky atmosphere prevails, in the shade, or under the drip of trees. The common Privet grows best in a moist and strong loamy soil, and attains the largest size in an open situation. Propagated by cuttings of the young shoots, or by seeds, in the same manner as advised for the Hawthorn (see Crataegus). The former method of propagation should be employed with varieties. L. amurense (Amur). A synonym of L. Ibota.
L. angustifolium (narrow-leaved). A garden synonym of L. Massalongianum. L. californicum robustum variegatum (Californian, robust, variegated). A synonym of L. ovalifolium variegatum.
L. compactum (compact). fl. white, in compound pyramidal panicles. Summer. l. elliptic-lanceolate, glabrous. Himalayas, 1874. SYNS. L. lancifolium, L. longifolium, and L. Simonii.
L. glabrum (glabrous). A synonym of L. japonicum.
L. Ibota (Ibota).* fl. white, salver-shaped; inflorescence spiciform. Summer. Berry round, shining, black. l. ovate or elliptic, obtuse, rarely lanceolate; principal nerve hairy beneath. Japan, &c. A pretty shrub, with slender terete twigs. (R. H. 1861, 352, under name of L. amurense.) L. I. villosum (villous). A synonym of L. sinense.
L. japonicum (Japanese).* fl. white, slightly fragrant. June. l. oblong-ovate, somewhat acuminated. h. 6ft. to 8ft. Japan, 1845. A robust-growing evergreen shrub, with large coriaceous leaves. SYNS. L. glabrum, L. Kellermanni, L. sieboldii, L. syringoeflorum.
L. j. macrophyllum (large-leaved). A form with larger leaves than the type. L. j. variegatum (variegated). l. margined and blotched with creamy-white. L. Kellermanni (Kellermann's). A synonym of L. japonicum. L. lancifolium (lance-leaved). A synonym of L. compactum. L. longifolium (long-leaved). A synonym of L. compactum. L. lucidum (shining).* fl. white, in much-spreading panicles. Autumn. l. oval, ovate-lanceolate, elliptical, or nearly rotundate. h. 8ft. to 12ft. China, 1794. A very pretty evergreen species. SYNS. L. magnolioefolium, L. strictum. (B. M. 2565.) L. l. coriaceum (leathery). fl. greenish-white. Summer. l. dense, glossy, dark green, leathery, ovate-oblong, obtuse. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Japan, 1864. A pretty dwarf-growing evergreen, but not so hardy as the type. L. magnoliaefolium (Magnolia-leaved). A synonym of L. lucidum. L. Massalongianum (Massalongi's).* fl. white, numerously disposed in dense, terminal, much-branched panicles, and having a peculiar odour. Summer. l. glabrous, linear-lanceolate, mucronate, very shortly stalked. h. 6ft. Khasia Hills, 1877. A much-branched evergreen shrub, with ascending warted branches. Garden names of this species are: L. angustifolium, L. myrtifolium, L. rosmarinifolium, and L. spicatum. (G. C. n. s., xvi. 149.) L. myrtifolium (Myrtle-leaved). A garden synonym of L. Massa-longianum. L. nepalense (Nepaul). A synonym of L. spicatum.
L. ovalifolium (oval-leaved).* fl. white; inflorescence thyrsiform. Summer. l. oval, oval-elliptic, or obovate, dark green above, lighter beneath, net-veined, shortly stalked. Japan. One of the hardiest and most floriferous of the Privets, more generally cultivated than L. vulgare on account of its larger, almost persistent, foliage.
L. o. variegatum (variegated).* Variegation a fine yellow in young leaves, passing into white as leaves get older. A vigorous, compact grower. SYN. L. californicum robustum variegatum. There are several other variegated forms of L. ovalifolium.
L. Quihoui (Quihou's). fl. white, in loose terminal panicles. Summer. l. dark green, oblong or oblong-ovate. Branches wiry, purplish, pubescent. China, 1868. (G. C. n. s., xviii. 277.) L. rosmarinifolium (Rosemary-leaved). A garden synonym of L. Massalongianum. L. Sieboldii (Siebold's). A synonym of L. japonicum. L. Simonii (Simon's). A synonym of L. compactum.
L. sinense (Chinese). fl. white, small; racemes coarctate. Summer. l. ovate-lanceolate, shining above and hairy beneath. h. 18ft. China, 1874. An evergreen or quasi-evergreen shrub, with slender pubescent branches. SYNS. L. Ibota villosum and L. villosum.
L. spicatum (spiked). fl. white, crowded, almost sessile, spicate, disposed in a thyrse, having the axis very hairy. Summer. l. elliptic, acute, hairy beneath, as well as the branchlets. h. 6ft. to 8ft. Nepaul, 1823. A hardy, deciduous species. SYN. L. nepalense. (B. M. 2921.) L. spicatum (spicate). A garden synonym of L. Massalongianum. L. strictum (upright). A synonym of L. lucidum.
L. syringaeflorum (Syringa-flowered). A synonym of L. japonicum. L. villosum (villous). A synonym of L. sinense.
L. vulgare (common). Common Privet. fl. white at first, but changing to reddish-brown, sweet-scented; racemes compound, coarctate. Summer. l. elliptic-lanceolate, glabrous. h. 6ft. to 10ft. Europe (Britain), North Africa. (Sy. En. B. 904.) There are numerous varieties of this most useful shrub, of which the following is an excellent selection: L. v. buxifolium (Box-leaved). A very distinct variety, differing from the type in its broader and more decidedly evergreen leaves. L. v. fructu-luteum (yellow-fruited). Somewhat denser in its habit than the type, presenting a very pretty effect in autumn and winter when covered with its bright golden fruit. SYN. L. v. xanthocarpum.
L. v. pendulum (pendulous). This variety has long weeping branches, and, when grafted as a standard on a stem 4ft. or 5ft. high, forms an elegant specimen for a small lawn.
L. v. variegatum (variegated). A very pretty form, having the leaves prettily blotched with a bright golden colour.
L. v. xanthocarpum (yellow-fruited). A synonym of L. v. fructuluteum. LILIACEAE. An extensive order of usually herbaceous perennials, very rarely annuals, sometimes frutescent and arborescent, natives of both temperate and tropical regions. Inflorescence mostly terminal, solitary, racemose, spiked, umbellate, or capitate, rarely panicled, furnished with scarious or spathaceous bracts. Leaves polymorphous, cauline, or radical. Root bulbous tuberous, fibrous-fascicled, or with a creeping rhizome. Liliaceae are remarkable for the beauty of their flowers. The following is a selection of the principal genera culvivated for ornament: Agapanthus, Fritillaria, Funkia, Hemerocallis, Hyacinthus, Lilium, Methonica, Scilla, Tulipa, Urginea, &c. Urginea furnishes a large bulb, which is used medicinally under the name of Squill. Certain species of Aloe yield an extremely bitter resinous juice, much employed in medicine. The genus Allium supplies the Onion, Leek, Chive, Shallot, Rocambole, and Garlic. The order comprises upwards of 180 genera, and about 2500 species.
LILIUM (the old Latin name, akin to Greek Leinon, a Lily). Lily. ORD. Liliaceoe. This well-known genus comprises about forty-five species of hardy, half-hardy, or greenhouse bulbs, natives of the temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere. Flowers large, showy, either solitary at the tops of the stems, or many (or few) in a loose raceme; perianth deciduous, funnel-shaped or sub-campanulate; segments free, variable in shape, erect, spreading or reflexed; stamens six, hypogynous; racemes rarely sub-ramose, often spreading or pendulous, rarely erect. Leaves very variable, from rotundate-cordate to lanceolate or linear, sometimes arranged in regular whorls, sometimes having bulblets in the axils. Stems erect, leafy, simple, or rarely branched at apex. Bulbs various, mostly presenting the usual type of fleshy, imbricated, lanceolate scales, but rarely thick, wrapped in large membranous tunics. The species are amongst the most beautiful and ornamental of cultivated bulbous plants, their stately habit and variously-coloured flowers (which are, in many cases, highly perfumed) rendering them indispensable subjects for greenhouse decoration, and for outside flower-garden embellishment. Nearly all the species and varieties may be termed hardy in most localities, if provided with a well-drained soil. As a precaution against injury to the bulbs from frost, it is well to cover them all the winter with a mound of ashes or cocoa-nut fibre, removing it again in spring. Valuable or scarce sorts should not be trusted outside permanently, unless their hardiness has been previously proved. The commoner and more plentiful species may be effectively employed for grouping or naturalising. Many of them are excellent border plants when in flower, being extremely attractive in mixed arrangements, if properly placed in respect of height. Many of the strong-growing Lilies are well adapted for planting amongst shrubs, where the latter are not too thickly placed. By growing a selection of species in pots, to flower at different times, a valuable addition to greenhouse decorative subjects is secured over a long period, in summer and autumn. Liliums are annually imported, in immense quantities, from Japan, particularly L. auratum. This is one of the best for pot culture, and one which succeeds well, planted outside, in peat beds, where the primary occupants, such as Azaleas, Rhododendrons, &c., preserve the bulbs from injury by frost in winter, and the tender flower-stems from cold and rough winds in spring. Evergreen shrubs such as those named, amongst several others, are surface-rooting, and their foliage shades the soil beneath from hot sun, and keeps it cool, in summer, these conditions being also most favourable to Lily culture. L. bulbiferum, L. giganteum, L. longiflorum, and L. speciosum, with each of the varieties of the last-named, are well adapted for culture, in pots, along with L. auratum.
Propagation. Liliums may be increased by seeds, by offsets, and sometimes by small bulblets which form in the axils of the leaves; the bulb scales, too, may be turned to account in propagating rare or distinct varieties. Seeds should be sown, when ripe, in well-drained pans of sandy peat, then slightly covered with similar soil and a layer of moss, and placed in a cool frame. They do not vegetate, as a rule, for several months; and, as it takes from four to six years to grow from seed bulbs large enough to produce flowers, the process is a slow one. The usual method of increase is by offsets, which are produced, in many instances, in great abundance round the old bulb, or amongst its scales. More than one flower-stem is often produced, and this has a tendency to cause the formation of a bulb for each, which may be detached for propagating purposes. Offsets vary in size, according to the species; they should be planted a few inches apart, in a prepared bed, and encouraged to grow quickly into flowering sizes. L. bulbiferum and L. tigrinum bear, in the axils of the leaves, quantities of bulblets, illustrations of which are shown in Fig. 410. They may be easily collected in summer, and, if planted like offsets, will soon grow, and eventually form flowering bulbs. Cultivation. Where soils are light and naturally well drained, the few special requirements of different Lilies may be readily met by the addition of fresh soil at planting time--heavier or lighter, as the case may be. Nearly all the species prefer peat, and, where plenty of this is obtainable, some may, with advantage, be used, along with loam and leaf mould, or some other light manure. L. candidum prefers rather heavy loam, which should be of a good depth. It succeeds best on such soil when left alone for years in succession without being disturbed at the root. The beautiful pure white flowers of this common species are very attractive, early in summer. L. tigrinum, and its varieties, succeed in almost any position, as they are extremely hardy; the quality and size of their flowers are, however, very much superior when the soil is made rich, and plenty of water is given in summer. L. Humboldtii, L. Martagon, L. monadelphum, and L. Washingtonianum, amongst others, prefer moderately heavy loamy soil; L. Catesboei, L. Leichtlinii, L. paradalinum, L. philadelphicum, and L. tenuifolium, may be recommended for planting in peaty soil in moist situations. Liliums prefer a partial shade, but not a position overhung with trees. Protection from high winds is also an important point with plants growing to such a height as these. Early autumn, after the stems have ripened off, is the best time for lifting or replanting. Lily bulbs should not be allowed to lie out of the ground, or be exposed to the weather, longer than can possibly be helped. They are, as described above, mostly composed of a number of fleshy scales which contract and become withered under the drying influence of the open air. This alone is a sufficient explanation of the numerous failures with purchased bulbs--the length of time they may have been stored in the seedsmen's shops. From 4in. to 6in. is a suitable depth for planting. A number of roots proceed from the stem above the bulb each year, and a less depth than this would not allow of their being covered with soil. A mulching of rotten manure, and plenty of water, are of great assistance in developing the flowers, if applied as soon as they are sufficiently advanced to be seen. The flower shoots should not be cut off before they have thoroughly ripened.
Cultivation in Pots. As previously remarked, a few of the Liliums are indispensable conservatory plants, and must, consequently, be amenable to culture in pots. Loam and peat, in about equal parts, with some charcoal or sharp sand added, will be a suitable compost. Potting should be performed when the bulbs are at rest in autumn. Those which are imported are largely cultivated in this way, but they seldom have the strength and solidity of those which are home grown; the latter are, however, much more expensive. A very large proportion of the imported bulbs of L. auratum never live to flower. Unfortunately, they have the appearance of being sound, and of good quality, on arrival; but the possibility of their being collected and packed in an immature state, and the injurious effect consequent on travelling, have each their evil results in causing the bulbs to rot when they are placed in soil. It is best to defer purchasing until towards spring, as then there is a likelihood of the bulbs being at least better ripened, and in a more suitable condition for starting quickly. They should be placed singly in well-drained pots, half filled with light soil, and be only partially covered. The cause of evil, to be frequently looked for and removed, is the presence of a fungus amongst the scales, which causes them, and also the base, to get rotten. A little dry, pounded charcoal should be shaken amongst the scales, and placed beneath each bulb, when potting. Only a slight syringing occasionally will be required until growth commences--a time which will be indicated by the appearance of roots, and the formation of a shoot in the centre. The pots may then be filled up, or the bulbs transferred to larger ones, if those in which they are already placed are less than 6in. in diameter. In either case, deep potting should be the aim, as it is very important that the upper roots should be in contact with good soil. As the flowering stage arrives, liquid manure may be given with advantage, but it should not be applied previous to this. Any imported Liliums should be treated at first as above described; those which are home grown do not usually require such precautions to induce them to start. After flowering is over, the plants should be placed in the open air, water being gradually withheld as they begin to ripen. Those intended for late summer flowering may be grown in a shady position outside, after the middle of