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.) MARIGOLD, or MARYGOLD (Calendula officinalis). A hardy annual, cultivated in kitchen gardens for the use of its flowers, which are gathered when open, dried slowly, and stored for use in soups, &c. Seeds should be sown in March or April, in drills 1ft. apart, and the plants thinned, in due course, to a similar distance. There are single and double-flowered varieties cultivated, both forming excellent mixed border plants, apart from their use referred to above. The half-hardy annual Marigolds employed in summer bedding and for mixed flower borders, belong to the genus Tagetes, the African being T. erecta, and the French T. patula. Lemon and orange-coloured varieties predominate in the African Marigolds, while the French sorts include, in addition to yellow, flower-heads of a rich velvety brown, beautifully striped and marked. Numerous dwarf strains are now obtainable, which, from their compact and floriferous habit, are very desirable and attractive garden plants. They are increased readily by seeds, which should be sown in a frame by the middle of April, and the seedlings afterwards transplanted outside. A moderately rich light soil is most favourable for Marigolds, and a space of about 9in. between the plants should be allowed in bedding arrangements.