Myrsiphyllum
(from Myrsine, Myrtle, and phyllon, a leaf; leaves aromatic). ORD. Liliaceae. A small genus of greenhouse, deciduous twiners, natives of the Cape of Good Hope, now included, by Bentham and Hooker, under Asparagus. Flowers greenish, on nodding pedicels, two or three together at the base of the leaves, from the axils of small white scales; perianth persistent, bell-shaped. Leaves ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, obliquely cordate at the base. The species most generally grown is M. asparagoides, which thrives best if planted in a warm part of the greenhouse, and in a prepared bed of loam and leaf soil, where the slender growths can be trained up a pillar or rafter. Plenty of water should be given when the plants are growing. Propagation may be easily effected by seeds, by cuttings, or by divisions of the root. M. asparagoides (Asparagus-like).* fl. greenish or white. June. l. small, bright glossy green. Branchlets very pretty, spray-like; these are largely employed in the composition of wreaths, bouquets, &c. 1702. SYN. Medeola asparagoides. (B. M. 5584.)