368 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



simplicity and utility in the nomenclature of plants. Thus, " the Canary'' or ™ Irish" 

 ivy is in this classification designated Hedera grandifolia ; and the Colchican 

 ivy, more generally known as H. Regneriana, is named H. coriacea. 



Thirdly, as to the varieties. These, if estimated by their names, number con- 

 siderably over two hundred. After a first general revision, and the obliteration of 

 a number of most ridiculous synonymes, there remained about one hundred kinds. 

 These were carefully classified and compared, the most distinctive being renamed, 

 unless it happened that the names they already bore were deemed suitable. There 

 remained no less than fifty varieties, sufficiently separated by their characters to 

 justify the places assigned them in the classification. All others have been 

 cancelled, and the collection comprises the selected fifty kinds only. 



Hedeka helix (Linnseus), the European ivy. The pedicels* and calyx are 

 covered with white stellate hairs, with six to eight rays each. 



A. Scandent green-leaved forms of H. helix. — Helix major, the largest leaved 

 British ivy ; Helix minor, the smallest leaved British ivy. These are the two 

 commonest climbing ivies in all the northern parts of Europe. Heterophylla, a 

 beautiful variety, intermediate between the scandent and the fruiting form, but has 

 never yet flowered. It was raised from seed at Stoke Newington. Gracilis, a 

 very slender form of H. helix. Tortuosa, a variety characterized by its twisted 

 leaves. Lobata major, a robust variety, with leaves distinctly lobed. Rugosa, 

 a robust variety with corrugated leaves. Lucida, commonly known as Hedera 

 helix poetica, or the Poet's ivy; it is remarkably glossy, and the noblest variety in 

 this section. Nigra, the leaves are nearly black. Contracta, variously known as 

 " Sagittffifolia," " Taurica," etc., etc. Scutifolia, a small variety with shield- 

 shaped leaves. Cinerea, known in gardens as " Himalaica ;" it has the most 

 decidedly grey-tinted leaves of any in this section. Triloba, a small variety, 

 almost uniformly three-lohed. Palmata, this is the " Hedera helix palmata" of 

 gardens. Crenata, the " crenata" of gardens. Digitata, the " digitata" of 

 gardens. Angnlaris, a peculiarly angular-leaved form, which is occasionally met 

 with labelled " Taurica." Pedata, an exceedingly distinct form, known in gardens 

 as " chrysocarpa ;" but as it is unquestionably a scandent form, the leaves of which 

 will become less deeply lobed or absolutely entire when it attains a fruiting state, 

 such a name is inadmissible — it belongs, in fact, to the fruiting form, and not to 

 this peculiarly pedate kind. Minima has the smallest leaves of all ; in general 

 configuration they resemble those of pedata, but the two plants are quite distinct, 

 more especially in winter, when pedata has a deep green hue, and minima is of a 

 brownish purple. 



B. Scandent variegated-leaved forms of H. helix. — Discolor, the " Hedera 

 helix minor marmorata" of gardens. Sulphurea, a sulphur-tinted variety, known 

 as "marginata canescens." Chrysophylla, a fine golden-hued ivy, which being 

 popular has a multitude of garden names, the most common being " aurea densa 

 minor," and " canariensis aurea marmorata." Chrysophylla palmata, a palmate 

 leaf with yellow variegation. Marginata grandis, Marginata major, Marginata 

 media, Marginata minor, Marginata rubra, a group of five distinct and beautiful 

 varieties, the leaves of which are margined with creamy variegation. The last in 

 the group acquires a deep red tint in winter. The names by which these five are 

 severally described in garden catalogues are sufficient in number to serve for fifty 

 varieties, and sufficiently ridiculous to be unfit for any. " Hedera helix minor 

 marginata Cullisii," the garden name of the variety now designated "marginata 

 rubra," affords an example of the necessity of a thorough revision of the names. Sub- 

 marginata, the last in this section, is characterized by a line-like whitish margin. 

 The five constituting the marginata group proper, have broad band-like margins. 



C. Arborescent green-leaved varieties of H. helix. — Baccifera nigra, the 

 common fruiting form of H. helix. Baccifera nigra crenata, a wrinkled-leaved 

 variety of the last. Baccifera lutea, the yellow- berried ivy. Baccifera alba, 

 the white-fruited ivy. 



D. Arborescent variegated-leaved varieties of H. helix. — Argentea major, 

 a remarkably fine variegated tree ivy. Argentea minor, similar to the last, but 

 ■with smaller leaves. These are counterparts of the marginate varieties in section 

 B, but as they cannot be placed in that section because of their arborescent 

 character, they are not regarded as marginate, but as silver-leaved ivies, and thus 

 their names separate them from the group to which, by their colours, they are 



