THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 2o7 



APHELANDEAS. 



{TTtth Coloured Illusfrai ion of ApJielandra fascinator.) 

 BY GEOEGE GOKDON. 



|HE magnificent Acantbad which forms the subject of 

 the colouied plate of this month's number of the 

 Flobal World, differs from the majority of ornamental 

 leaved plants in combining with its beautiful leafa"-e a 

 most brilliant inflorescense, and therefore presents a 

 most attractive appearance, even when not in flower. Aphelandra 

 fascinator was discovered so recently as 1872 in the half-shaded 

 forests of New Granada ; and, thanks to the facility with which it 

 can be propagated, has become sufficiently plentiful to admit of its 

 being oflered by all the leading nurserymen. The leaves, as a glance 

 at the accompanying illustration will show, are of a rich, deep olive 

 green, overlaid with silvery bands on the upper surface ; and on the 

 under side are of a rich purple violet. The flowers are of a dazzling 

 vermilion scarlet, and when held up in the full light, have the 

 appearance of being powdered Avith gold. The plant is of a free, 

 vigorous habit, and the flower-spikes of strong plants attain a very 

 large size. Like other members of the same genus, it produces its 

 flower-spikes during winter and autumn, when from their surpassing 

 brilliancy they are most to be desired. It may, in brief, be described 

 as one of the most valuable of recently introduced stove plants, and 

 well deserving a place in the most select collection. 



The genus to which this superb species belongs is by no means 

 extensive; yet there are several others well deserving of the atten- 

 tion of amateurs possessing the convenience of a plant stove ; and it 

 may be suggested with advantage, that a few of the weedy coleus 

 and caladiums with which amateurs not unfrequently crowd these 

 structures, should be removed to make way for them. 



Aphelandra aurantiaca, introduced from the state of Tabasco as 

 far back as 184<7, is very beautiful ; but it is quite surpassed by 

 A. aurantiaca lioezU, introduced some twenty years afterwards. 

 The latter has handsome deep glossy green leaves, which, in the 

 winter, are surmounted with fine spikes of bril.iant orange scarlet 

 flowers. 



A. nitens is a near ally to the preceding, but it is sufficiently 

 distinct to render it desirable to have both in the same collection. 

 The leaves of this fine species are of a deep brownish green, and 

 highly polished on the upper surface, and deep vinous purple under- 

 neath. The flower-spikes attain a large size under good cultivation ; 

 and as the flowers are of a deep rich vermilion scarlet, they in 

 combination with the dark shining foliage, present a most eftective 

 appearance during the winter months. It was introduced from 

 Gruayaquil, in New Granada, and is in every way a most desirable 

 acquisition. 



The cultivation of these charming Acanthads is by no means 

 difficult, for they are readily propagated by means of cuttings, and 



September. 17 



