New Zealand
A neat evergreen with a compact and cushion-like growth; it is a very effective subject for the rock garden, and grows freely in most situations. The crimson globular heads of spine-formed calyces form a conspicuous and ornamental feature of the plant. SYN. A. Novae Zealandiae. A. millefolia (myriad-leaved).* fl. inconspicuous. A very distinct species with finely-cut pale green leaves. The fruiting spikes of this are not collected in globular heads, as in the others, and their presence detract from its value as an ornamental plant. Otherwise, it is very graceful. A. myriophylla (many-leaved).* fl. green, small, in rounded spikes. June. l. pinnate; leaflets deeply cut. h. 6in. to 1ft. Chili, 1828 Small, fern-like. A. Novae Zealandiae (New Zealand). A synonym of A. microphylla. A. ovalifolia (oval-leaved). fl. green. Summer. h. 9in. Chilli, 1868. Good for rock gardens.
A. pulchella (pretty).* fl. inconspicuous. A pretty bronzy-leaved species, admirably suited for rockwork crevices, where space is no object. It grows very rapidly, and forms handsome tufts.
ACALYPHA (the name given by Hippocrates to the Nettle). ORD. Euphorbiaceae. Stove ornamental and variegated nettle-like leaved shrubs. Flowers greenish or reddish, inconspicuous, in erect or drooping bracted axillary or terminal spikes; those of the upper portion sterile, of the lower, fertile. The undermentioned only are those most worthy of cultivation. They are very easily grown, with ordinary stove treatment, and in a peat and loam compost. When well cultivated, the leaves of the hybridised varieties are highly coloured, but rather coarse than otherwise. Increased by cuttings under a glass in sandy soil, in stove heat, during April.
A. Macafeeana (Macafee's). l. red, blotched with bronzy crimson. 1877. A. macrophylla (large-leaved).* l. cordate ovate, russet brown, blotched with paler spots. The best and handsomest stove species.
A. marginata (margined). l. large, very hairy, ovate-acuminate, centre brown, with a distinct margin of rosy carmine, about 1/4in. wide. Fiji Islands, 1875. A. musaica (mosaic).* l. bronzy green, variegated with orange and dull red. Polynesia, 1877.
A. torta (twisted). l. dark olive, tinted green; margin cut into blunt, oblong segments. Samoan Islands. Remarkable for its curiously contorted foliage. It has erect stems, which are terete, and covered by the leaves in a very singular way.
A. tricolor (three-coloured). A synonym of A. Wilkesiana. A. Wilkesiana (Wilkes').* l. ovate-acuminate, curiously blotched, mottled, and splashed with red and crimson; ground colour coppery green. h. 6ft. to 10ft. New Hebrides, 1866. SYN. A. tricolor.
A. W. marginata (Wilkes's margined).* l. large, olive brown, margined with rosy carmine. Fiji Islands, 1875.
ACANTHOLIMON (from akanthos, a spine, and limon, sea lavender). ORD. Plantagineae. Dwarf hardy tufted evergreen plants, distinguished from allied genera in having sharp-pointed rigid leaves. They are of rather slow growth, thriving best in a sandy soil, and sunny position, on rock-work more particularly. The flowers are similar to Statice and Armeria. Increased by seeds (which germinate slowly), sown carefully on a warm but rather shaded border, and transplanted when large enough to handle; or by cuttings and very carefully made divisions. The cuttings should be made in late summer, and placed in a frame, to remain there during the winter. A. glumaceum (prickly).* fl. rose, spicate, about 1/2in. across, six to eight in a spikelet. Summer. l. densely packed and sharply pointed with spines. h. 6in. Armenia, 1851. Very compact and distinct. SYN. Statice Ararati. A. Kotschyi (Kotschy's). fl. white. A good species, but very rarely seen in British gardens.
A. venustum (charming).* fl. rose, spicate, from twelve to twenty in each spike. Summer. l. broader than in the last, and glaucous. h. 6in. or 8in. Cilicia, 1873. A rare and handsome alpine. Larger than the preceding. ACANTHOPHIPPIUM (the derivation of this word is not apparent). ORD. Orchideae. A peculiar class of terrestrial stove orchids. Flowers rather large, racemose, few; sepals combined in a broad oblique pitcher, including the petals, which are adnate to the base of the column; column short, produced into a long foot. Pseudo-bulbs oblong. Leaves few, large, longer than the scapes. The best species are the two first-mentioned. They will thrive well in sandy peat, with a quantity of small stones, broken pots, or gravel. A great deal of heat and moisture are absolutely essential during the growing period. Propagated, as soon as growth commences, by dividing the pseudo-bulbs. A. bicolor (two-coloured).* fl. purple and yellow, about 2in. long, campanulate, produced in clusters of three or four together; petals oblong-lanceolate, acutish; lateral lobes of lip rounded. June. h. 9in. Ceylon, 1833.
A. Curtisii (Curtis's).* fl. same shape as above (except the lip), with numerous purple spots, light rose, and flush; column white, nail of lip yellow, keels yellowish, laciniae white with purple. Malay Archipelago, 1881. The five keels between the side laciniae distinguish it from the foregoing species and A. sylhetense.
A. javanicum (Javanese).* fl. yellow and red, with distinct longitudinal stripes; petals triangular; lip three-lobed; lateral lobes truncate; intermediate lobe constricted in middle, ovate, and tuberculate at the apex, fleshy on both sides at base, with truncate emarginate inflexed teeth. September. h. 1 1/2ft. Java, 1843.
A. sylhetense (Sylhet). fl. white, with many irregular spots and blotches towards the extremities of the outer portions. June. h. 9in. Sylhet, 1837. ACANTHOPHOENIX (from akantha, a spine, and phoinix, the Date Palm). ORD. Palmae. A very elegant stove palm, differing from Areca principally in habit, and requiring a light sandy soil and a summer temperature of 65deg. to 80deg., winter 55deg. to 65deg. Increased by seeds only; these germinate best in a moist bottom heat, and a well decomposed compost of one part loam, one of peat, one of leaf mould, and the remainder of sand. They may remain in this soil for two or three years.
A. crinita (hairy).* fl. spirally arranged, in threes, the central one being female. l. the fronds are arched, broadly ovate in outline, pectinately pinnate in division, with long linear acuminate segments, paler beneath. The stem is densely armed with black, needle-shaped spines, and much swollen towards the base. Seychelles, 1868.
ACANTHORHIZA (from akantha, a spine, and rhiza, a root). ORD. Palmae. A small genus of stove palms, differing from Trithrinax by the aerial roots of the trunk hardening into spines (which are horizontal or pointed upwards), and by the blade of the leaf being divided down to the petiole. They delight in a rich loamy soil, and are propagated by seeds, in a moist, sweet hotbed, in spring.
A. aculeata (spiny).* l. orbicular, palmately slit into numerous linear-lanceolate, glabrous segments, deep-green above, silvery beneath; petioles slender; the trunk is covered with a network of branching spines. Mexico, 1879. SYN. Chamaerops stauracantha.
A. Wallisii (Wallis's).* A recent introduction from tropical America, and not yet much cultivated; it is a tall palm with orbicular palmate leaves. A. Warzcewiczii (Warzcewicz's).* This differs from the preceding species by its more irregularly divided leaf blade, which is white below. Tropical America.
ACANTHOSTACHYUM (from akanthos, a spine, and stachys, a spike). ORD. Bromeliaceae. A monotypic genus of stove evergreen herbaceous plants; of easy culture in a compost of equal parts sand, decayed wood, and rotten leaves. Propagated by suckers, which strike readily in bottom heat. A. strobilacea (cone-fruited). fl. red and yellow; scape simple, long, scurfy; bracts coloured. June. l. radical, very long, in-curved, narrow, thick, pungent, channelled, spiny-toothed, covered with white scurf. h. 4ft. Brazil, 1840.
ACANTHUS (from akanthos, a spine; several species being spiny or prickly). Bear's Breech. ORD. Acanthaceae. A group of stately, ornamental perennial plants, mostly hardy, remarkable for their vigorous growth and beautiful foliage. Flowers sessile, crowded, spicate; corolla tubular, one-lipped; lip three lobed. To attain perfection they require a deep soil, and a situation fully exposed to the sun. They will, however, thrive moderately well in common soil and partial shade. The habit being generally a bold one, they are most suited for isolated tufts, backgrounds of mixed borders, and the wild garden. Propagated by seeds, sown in gentle heat, or by division of the roots, in autumn or early spring.
A. carduifolius (thistle-leaved). fl. blue. August. h. 3ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1816. Greenhouse species.
A. hispanicus (Spanish). fl. white. August. l. large, shining, and deeply cut. h. 2ft. Spain, 1700.
A. longifolius (long-leaved).* fl. purple, rose, in the axils of the bracts, which are oval, acuminate, spiny, of a reddish hue, forming a spike nearly 1ft. long. June. l. radical, 2ft. to 3ft. long; numerous. h. 3ft. to 4 1/2ft. Dalmatia, 1869.
A. lusitanicus (Portugal). Synonymous with A. mollis latifolius. A. mollis (soft).* fl. white or rose, sessile in the axils of the deeply-toothed bracts; spikes about 1 1/2ft. Summer. l. sinuated, unarmed, heart-shaped in outline, 2ft. long by 1ft. broad. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Italy, 1548. A. m. latifolius (broad-leaved).* A variety of A. mollis, but larger and more robust in every part. This very handsome form is probably the best grown; it is one of the most suitable for subtropical gardening. A warm sunny spot is needful. SYN. A. lusitanicus.
A. montanus (mountain).* fl. rose. August. h. 3ft. West Africa, 1865. A shrubby species.
A. niger (black). fl. purplish white. July to September. l. sinuated, unarmed, glabrous, shining green. h. 3ft. Portugal, 1759.
A. spinosissimus (most spiny).* fl. rosy, sessile, on a very handsome spike, with acute, recurved spines. Autumn. l. laciniate, pinnatifid, blistered, spiny; spines white. h. 3 1/2ft. South Europe, 1629. A. spinosus (spiny).* fl. purplish, spicate; sepals spiny. Summer. l. deeply and regularly cut, each division terminated by a short spine. h. 3ft. to 4ft. South Europe.
ACER (from acer, hard or sharp; wood is extremely hard, and was formerly much used for making pikes and lances). Maple. ORD. Sapindaceae. A genus comprised, for the most part, of handsome hardy deciduous shrubs, or trees, adapted for forming shrubberies, plantations, &c. Flowers greenish, except where mentioned. A. Pseudo-platanus is one of our most useful forest trees. Several of the species produce very useful timber, sugar is one of the constituent parts of the sap of all of them, and is obtained in large quantities from A. saccharinum, in North America. They all prefer a some-what sheltered position. The most satisfactory soil is one free, deep, loamy, and well drained; the latter is especially desirable with some of the Japanese varieties. The varieties of A. japonicum, and palmatum are well worth growing in pots for conservatory decoration. Propagation: By seeds, sown either in autumn or spring, covering them not more than a 1/4in. deep; the common varieties may be sown outside, while the rarer ones should be sown in a frame. By layers, and by grafting; the latter method is adopted with many of the rarer species and varieties, especially the variegated kinds; they are also readily increased by budding in summer.
A. austriacum (Austrian). Synonymous with A. campestre austriacum. A. campestre (field)* Common Maple fl. on erect racemes. May. fr. wings of fruit much divaricated. l. small, cordate, with five-toothed lobes. h. 20ft. Britain. A small tree with rough bark, full of deep fissures; wood often beautifully veined, when it is highly valued.
A. c. austriacum (Austrian).* fl. much larger than those of the species. fr. smooth. Lobes of leaves somewhat acuminated. SYN. A. austriacum. A. c. collinum (hill-loving).* fl. smaller. fr. smooth. Lobes of leaves obtuse. France.
A. c. hebecarpum (downy-fruited).* fr. clothed with velvety pubescence. A. c. laevigatum (smooth-leaved). l. very smooth and shining. A. c. nanum (dwarf). Dwarf habit.
A. c. tauricum (Taurian).* l. larger and less divided than in the species. A. c. variegatum (variegated).* l. beautifully variegated with blotches and stripes of white or whitish yellow; very distinct.
A. circinatum (circinate).* fl. deep red, umbellate. April. l. seven to nine-lobed, serrulated. h. 5ft. to 6ft. North West America, 1827. A very beautiful species, having pendulous branches clothed with leaves, which change into a bright scarlet colour in the autumn.
A. creticum (Cretan). fl. on few-flowered erect corymbs. May. fr. smooth, with the wings hardly diverging. l. cuneated at the base, acutely three-lobed at the top. h. 4ft. Levant, 1752. Nearly evergreen.
A. dasycarpum (thick-fruited).* fl. conglomerate, on short pedicels, apetalous. April. l. truncate at the base, palmately five-lobed, with blunt recesses, and unequally and deeply-toothed lobes. h. 40ft. North America, 1725. SYNS. A. eriocarpon, A. tomentosum, A. glaucum, and A. virginianum. A. Douglasii (Douglas). Synonymous with A. glabrum.
A. eriocarpon (hairy-fruited). Synonymous with A. dasycarpum. A. Ginnala (Ginnalian).* fl. on compound, crowded, erect racemes. Amur River. This is generally classed as a variety of A. tartaricum, but its habit is much more graceful, and in this form the leaves are prettily cut and lobed, whilst the leafstalks and midrib are more deeply coloured.
A. glabrum (smooth).* fl. corymbose, on short two-leaved branchlets, greenish-yellow. June. l. roundish-cordate, deeply three to five-lobed, or partite; the lobes bi-serrate, of a light green. h. 15ft. to 30ft. North West America. SYNS. A. Douglasii, A. tripartitum.
A. glaucum (glaucous). Synonymous with A. dasycarpum. A. heterophyllum (various-leaved).* fl. corymbose. May. l. small, ovate, entire, and three-lobed, slightly serrated, smooth, h. 4ft. Levant, 1759. An evergreen. SYN. A. sempervirens.
A. ibericum (Iberian). fl. corymbose. May. l. bluntly threelobed; lobes with one or two teeth, lateral ones marked with the middle nerve to the insertion of the petiole. h. 20ft. Iberia, 1826.
A. japonicum (Japanese).* fl. deep purplish-red, large. April. l. many-lobed, in early spring very light green. h. 20ft. Japan, 1863. The varieties of this species, although not well fixed in many cases, rank amongst the most handsome of the deciduous small shrubs grown, but often change in character as they attain any considerable size. Plants from 1 1/2ft. to 3ft. high are very useful in cool conservatories, and in the highly kept grounds surrounding the house.
A. laurifolium (laurel-leaved). Synonymous with A. oblongum. A. Lobelii (Lobel's). l. very slightly heart-shaped, irregularly toothed, five-lobed; lobes more or less abruptly pointed.
A. macrophyllum (large-leaved).* fl. on erect, compound, racemes. May. l. digitately five-palmate, with roundish recesses; lobes somewhat three-lobed. h. 60ft. Northern California, 1812.
A. monspessulanum (Montpellier).* fl. on few-flowered corymbs, erect. May. l. cordate, three-lobed; lobes almost or quite entire, equal. h. 10ft. to 20ft. South Europe, 1739.
A. montanum (mountain). fl. on compound, erect racemes, May. l. cordate, three or slightly five-lobed, unequally and coarsely serrated. h. 18ft. Canada, 1750. SYN. A. spicatum.
A. Negundo. See Negundo aceroides.
A. oblongum (oblong). fl. on compound racemes, pale yellow. February. l. oblong-lanceolate, acuminated, quite entire. h. 20ft. Nepaul, 1824. SYN. A. laurifolium.
A. obtusifolium (obtuse-leaved). fl. drooping, corymbose. May. l. rounded, bluntly three-lobed, crenately serrulate, about the length of the petioles. h. 15ft. Crete.
A. Opalus (Opalus). A synonym of A. opulifolium.
A. opulifolium (Guelder-rose-leaved).* fl. on nearly sessile corymbs. May. Ovaries and fruit smooth. l. cordate, five-lobed; lobes obtuse, bluntly and coarsely toothed. h. 8ft. France, 1823. SYN. A. Opalus. A. o. obtusatum (bluntish).* A larger, strong growing, round-headed tree, with dark green leaves, which are covered with a whitish or rusty tomentum on the under surface.
A. palmatum (palmate-leaved).* fl. on five to seven-flowered umbels. May. l. palmately divided into five to seven lobes beyond the middle; lobes oblong, acuminated, serrated. h. 20ft. Japan, 1820.
A. p. atropurpureum (dark purple).* A vigorous handsome plant, with bold dark purple foliage. Japan.
A. p. crispum (crispy or waved).* l. green, with red stalked, convoluted edges. Japan, 1871. Very distinct, and like a miniature Lombardy poplar in habit of growth.
A. p. dissectum (finely-divided).* fl. red, on terminal-stalked racemes, five to six-flowered. May. l. nine to ten parted; lobes oblong, acuminated, deeply serrated. h. 30ft. Japan, 1845.
A. p. ornatum (beautiful).* Very ornamental, having finely cut deep red leaves, with lighter midribs. Japan, 1871. This variety is also known as dissectum.
A. p. palmatifidum (palmatifid).* l. very finely palmately divided, the lobes cut down quite to the midrib, of a beautiful light green colour. 1875. A. p. reticulatum (netted).* l. palmately seven-lobed; lobes unequal, sharply serrate, emerald green, with dark green veins. Japan, 1875. A very elegant variety, with slender branches.
A. p. roseo-marginatum (rose-margined).* l. freely divided, the lobes deeply cut, light green, margined with rose. Japan, 1874. A very distinct and charming variety.
A. p. sanguineum (blood-red).* l. deeply five-lobed, the lobes serrated, of a deep reddish-crimson colour, much brighter than the variety atropurpureum. 1874. This presents a very striking contrast to the last. A. p. septemlobum (seven-lobed).* fl. purplish, on numerous flowered umbels. Spring. l. varying much, from palmately five-lobed, with toothed undivided lobes, to deeply seven to nine-lobed, with more or less finely cut divisions. Japan, 1864. There are numerous beautiful forms of this variety. There are many varieties of this much varying species, but we have only mentioned those best known; many are only known by their native names, and there is some doubt as to their distinctive characteristics. They are all extremely handsome.
A. pennsylvanicum (Pennsylvanian).* fl. in long drooping, simple racemes. May. l. cordate, three-lobed, acuminated, finely and acutely serrated. h. 20ft. Trunk elegantly striped with white lines. North America, 1755. SYN. A. striatum.
A. pictum (painted).* fl. corymbose, stalked. l. five to seven-lobed; lobes triangular or oblong, entire, acuminated. h. 15ft. to 20ft. Temperate Asia, 1840. A. p. connivens (converging), A. p. marmoratum (spotted), A. p. rubrum (red), and A. p. variegatum (variegated), are varieties differing principally in the colouring of the leaves. All are very desirable. A. platanoides (plane-like).* The Norway Maple. fl. on nearly erect stalked corymbs. May, June. l. cordate, smooth, five-lobed; lobes acuminated, with a few coarse acute teeth. h. 50ft. Europe, 1683. A very ornamental hardy tree, growing with great rapidity when young. It prefers a deep, well-drained soil. A. p. aureo-variegatum (golden-variegated).* l. variegated with yellow. Europe, 1383. This, to retain the variegation, requires to be propagated by budding or grafting. The same remarks are equally applicable to the other varieties.
A. p. laciniatum (cut-leaved).* l. deeply and variously cut, green and yellow. A. p. Schwedleri (Schwedler's).* l. very large, deep bronzy-red. A vigorous grower, and most effective.
A. p. variegatum (variegated).* l. variegated with white. There are several other varieties, but of less importance than the foregoing. A. Pseudo-platanus (Mock-plane tree).* Sycamore. fl. on rather compound pendulous racemes. May. l. cordate, with five acuminated unequally-toothed lobes. h. 30ft. to 60ft. Europe. There are few deciduous trees so well adapted for standing singly in rough exposed situations. A deep, soft, dry soil is most suitable for it, but it will grow in soils of very opposite qualities. A. P. albo variegata (white-variegated).* A very beautiful form, in spring especially. l. white and green.
A. P. flavo variegata (yellow-variegated). l. variegated with yellow. A. P. longifolia (long-leaved).* l. more deeply cut, and the petioles much longer than in the species.
A. P. purpureum (purple).* l. purple underneath. The tree, when slightly ruffled by the wind, alternately appearing clothed in purple and pale green. Numerous other varieties of more or less excellence are grown. A. rubrum (red).* Scarlet Maple. fl. scarlet, handsome, conglomerate, corymbose. l. cordate at the base, deeply and unequally toothed, palmately five-lobed, with acute recesses. Branches and fruit also scarlet. h. 20ft. Canada, 1656. A variety with leaves splashed with yellow is rare. An excellent species, thriving well in damp, swampy situations, and is commonly increased by layers.
A. rufinerve (red-nerved).* "The leaves vary both in size and outline, from 2 1/2in. to 4in. each way; three to five-lobed, with irregularly toothed margins, glabrous above, but with reddish hairs along the nerves beneath. The young branches are conspicuous on account of the bluish-grey glaucescence with which they are covered."
A. r. albo-limbatum (white-margined)* differs only from the species in having a very distinct white margin-not always constant. Japan, 1869. A. saccharinum (Sugar Maple).* fl. yellow, on drooping corymbs, on short peduncles; pedicels pilose. April. l. cordate, smooth, palmately five-lobed; lobes accuminated, sinuately toothed. h. 40ft. N. America, 1735. A. s. nigrum (blackish).* fl. on sessile corymbs, nodding. April, May. l. cordate, with the recess closed; palmately five-lobed. h. 40ft. North America, 1812.
A. Semenovi (Semenov's).* A slender and graceful species, with leaves closely resembling those of A. Ginnala, but smaller. Turkestan, 1879. A. sempervirens (evergreen). Synonymous with A. heterophyllum. A. spicatum (spiked). Synonymous with A. montanum.
A. striatum (striated). Synonymous with A. pennsylvanicum. A. tartaricum (Tartarian).* fl. white, on crowded, erect, compound racemes. May. l. more or less cordate, acuminated, serrated, with obsolete lobes. h. 20ft. 1759. This species is one of the first to expand its leaves in spring. A. tomentosum (tomentose). Synonymous with A. dasycarpum. A. tripartitum (three-parted). Synonymous with A. glabrum. A. Van Volxemii (Van Volxem's). fl. not known in England. l. palmately three to five-lobed, very large, light green above, silvery and quite glabrous beneath. Caucasus, 1877. Distinct and fine.
A. villosum (hairy). fl. fragrant, on lateral racemes. April. Buds, fruit, and young leaves, silky, villous. l. cordate, five-lobed, villous beneath as well as the petioles; lobes ovate acute. h. 50ft. Himalaya, at high elevations. Not hardy.
A. virginianum (Virginian). Synonymous with A. dasycarpum. ACERAS (from a, without, and keras, a horn; the lip having no spur). ORD.