MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 101 
Aeschynanthus Lamponga which is displayed in the 
floral orchid alcoves, is a native of Sumatra. The flowers 
are produced in clusters at the end of pendant branches and 
are covered with very fine silky hairs. The calyx is tubular 
or vase-shaped and purplish brown in color from the interior. 
The bright scarlet corolla gradually emerges until it is twice 
the length of the calyx when fully open, and the yellow 
throat with its dark-colored markings emphasizes the gaping 
effect of the corolla. It is this latter characteristic which 
— the name to the genus, Aeschynanthus being derived 
rom the Greek words, aischyne, shame, and anthos, flower. 
Being of epiphytic habit, the plant is best grown in hang- 
ing baskets, as exhibited at the Garden. The growin 
medium consists of equal parts of orchid or fibrous peat an 
sphagnum moss. The temperature should be 65-70° F., and 
since heat and moisture are essential requirements, the condi- 
tions will be ideal if grown with the pitcher plants (Ne- 
penthes). 
Propagation may be accomplished either by seeds or cut- 
tings, the latter being preferable. These should be made 
in the spring by dividing the long trailing stems in sections 
about three inches long, and laying or inserting these in a 
mixture of finely chopped sphagnum moss and sand. They 
should then be placed in the propagating case, or the pan 
should be covered with a Bell jar and kept fairly moist. If 
conditions are favorable they will readily root, after which 
they may be transferred into the permanent baskets. When 
the young growths begin to me over the edge of the basket 
they aboaid: b be carefully pegged to the side until the peat 
is entirely covered. The new growths should then be allowed 
to hang down and in time will produce the remarkable 
scarlet Hotears Two years, however, will elapse between the 
cutting stage and the flowering period. 
The genus Columnea is named in honor of Fabius 
Columnea, or more correctly Fabio Colonna, an Italian of 
noble family and author of several botanical books published 
in the sixteenth century. The genus embraces upwards of — 
one hundred species, but representatives are very rarely 
grown except in botanical gardens. Like the Aeschynanthus 
it is epiphytic in habit and is usually grown in association 
with orchids. The various species are native to Mexico, 
Colombia, Guiana, Brazil, and the West Indies. 
Columnea Schiedeana, which is frequently in flower at the 
Garden, is a herbaceous climbing plant and a native of 
Mexico and Panama. Both the stem and the oblong- 
lanceolate leaves are clothed with silky hairs. The flowers, 
