Marica
(from maraino, to flag; referring to the ephemeral nature of the flowers). ORD. Irideae. A genus of about nine species of stove or greenhouse herbaceous perennials, of which one inhabits Western tropical Africa, and the rest are natives of Eastern tropical America. Perianth with three spreading outer, and three smaller inner, segments. Leaves coriaceous, elongate, ensiform. Rhizomes short. The few species in cultivation are very pretty plants, and thrive in a well-drained, rich compost of turfy loam, a little well decomposed manure, and a liberal proportion of sand. When in a growing state, and at flowering time, plenty of water must be supplied. Propagated readily by division of the rhizomes, inserting each portion in sand, in a high bottom heat. When both shoots and roots are emitted, the young plants may be potted singly, and treated similarly to established plants. See also Cipura.
M. brachypus (short-stalked).* fl. yellow, barred at the base with horizontal brownish-red stripes. l. in a distichous rosette, ensiform, 1 1/2ft. long. West Indies, 1871. A very fine stove species, resembling M. Northiana in general appearance. SYN. Cypella brachypus. (B. M. 6380.)
M. caerulea (blue).* fl. blue; claws of outer and inner perianth segments yellowish, barred with transverse bands of brown and orange; scape many-flowered, erect; spathe not viviparous; stigmas united, petal-like. May and June. l. bright green, 3ft. to 6ft. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, acuminate. h. 2ft. Brazil, 1818. Stove. (B. R. 713.) SYN. Cypella caerulea (under which name it is figured in B. M. 5612.)
M. gladiata (sword-shaped). A synonym of Bobartia gladiata.
M. gracilis (slender).* fl., outer segments of the perianth white or bluish, and variously marked at the base; inner ones small, strangely curved, and spotted with reddish-brown, disposed on viviparous scapes. Summer. l. 1in. or more broad, tapering. h. 2ft. Brazil, 1830. Stove. (B. M. 3713.) M. humilis (dwarf). fl., limb of outer perianth segments whitish, with transverse bars of yellow and brown at the base; inner segments, upper portions blue and white, lower yellow, barred with orange-red. l. bright green, ensiform, bluntly acuminate. Brazil, previous to 1825. Stove. (L. B. C. 1081.)
M. h. lutea (yellow). A synonym of M. lutea.
M. lutea (yellow).* This species much resembles M. humilis, but may be distinguished by the following points: fl., outer segment brighter yellow, with five (instead of four) bars of a redder colour; the ends of the inner ones white, with green bars (instead of plain purple). April. l. narrower and straighter. Stem short, bracteate; bracts inclosing the ramules longer and straighter. h. 6in. Brazil, 1840. Stove. (B. M. 3809, under name of M. humilis lutea.)
M. Northiana (North's).* fl., outer segments of the perianth white, yellowish, and elegantly mottled with deep red at the base; inner ones curved, barred with blue at the apex, and veined with red at the base. June. l. 2ft. long, 2in. wide. h. 4ft. Brazil, 1789. A very handsome stove species, but rarely seen in cultivation. (B. M. 654.)