Luculia
(from Luculi Swa, its native name). ORD. Rubiaceae. A genus comprising two species of very ornamental and fragrant-flowered greenhouse ever-green shrubs, the one from the Himalayas, the other from the Mountains of Khasia. The best-known and most generally cultivated species is L. gratissima. This is a very handsome plant, amenable to pot culture, but it thrives best in the beds or borders of a conservatory where plenty of room can be afforded. It succeeds in a compost of fibrous loam, peat, and silver sand. The roots should be inclosed in an area of about 3ft. square, with thick slates or a narrow wall, and they must not be disturbed after planting time. Large quantities of water may be applied throughout the summer, but none should be given between the pruning time in December, and April, the season for starting. Old-established plants may be cut hard back when the flowers have faded, as the new growths bear flowers the next autumn on their points. Propagation may be effected by imported seeds, which germinate freely if sown in sandy soil, and placed in a little heat, during spring or summer. The method of increase usually recommended is that of inserting cuttings of young shoots, about Midsummer, under a bell glass, subjecting them for the first two or three weeks to a gentle bottom heat. Although it is possible to propagate Luculias from cuttings, it is by no means a generally successful method, unless the conditions under which the cuttings are placed regarding shade and temperature, are just suitable to their requirements. Seedling plants grow fast, if properly attended to, but seldom bear flowers before the second or third year.
L. gratissima (very grateful).* fl. rose-coloured, somewhat fleshy, sweet-scented; corolla tubular; cymes terminal, many-flowered. Autumn. l. elliptic, acuminated, glabrous above, villous on the veins beneath. Branches terete, pubescent. h. 9ft. to 16ft. Temperate Himalayas, 1823. (B. M. 3946; S. B. F. G. 145.) L. Pinceana (Pince's).* fl. white, larger and more fragrant than the above species. May to September. Khasia Mountains, 1843. This plant resembles L. gratissima in general habit, but has smaller, narrower, more coriaceous leaves, with more numerous nerves, and quite glabrous. The best character, however, to distinguish between the two species is the presence in L. Pinceana of a raised callus on each side of the sinus of the corolla lobes. (B. M. 4132.)