OE E TEN EN ee ET 
AN ENCYCLOPÆDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 193 
Iresine—continued. 
in in. pots in August, and place them in any close 
frame. They soon root, and the plants thus obtained 
. should be kept rather dry throughout the winter, and in 
a temperature of about 55deg. An increase of heat and 
moisture, about March, will cause the production of 
strong cuttings. Iresines are rather tender; consequently, 
they should not be planted out before the beginning of 
June, except in warm localities where there is no danger 
from late spring frosts. A warm season is best for 
bringing the foliage to perfection, particularly that of 
I. Herbstii. I. Lindeniit is one of the most distinct 
sorts, and an invaluable bedding plant. 
Greenfly and Red Spider are troublesome insects, 
especially in winter and spring, when the plants are 
indoors. The former may be destroyed by fumigation; 
and frequent syringings will greatly tend to prevent Red 
Spider from becoming established. 
I. Herbstii (Herbst’s).* Z. opposite, somewhat cordate, deeply 
two-lobed at the apex, and concave ; upper surface dark maroon ; 
midrib and primary veins broadly margined with carmine ; under 
side deep crimson. Stem and branches bright carmine, almost 
transparent, h. 12in. to 18in. South Brazil, 1864. SYN. Achy- 
ranthes Verschafeltii. (B. M. 5499.) 
H. acuminata (acwninated). A handsome form, with sharply 
acuminated leaves, (F. M. 441.) 
Fig. 322. IRESINE HERBSTII AUREO-RETICULATA, showing Habit 
and detached Portion of Inflorescence with Leaf. 
I. H. aureo-reticulata (golden-netted).* This variety has deep 
vinous-red stems, leafstalks, and principal veins; the surface of 
the — being green, blotched with gold, See Fig. 322. 
(F. M ; ; 
s, ,, J * rich 
Teed ed wh a cocteal teh A ane one T 
very handsome and compact-growing plant. ; : 
IRIARTEA (named in h r of Juan Iriarte, a 
Spanish botanist). Syn. Deckeria. ORD. Palmee. This 
genus contains about five species of stove palms, rarely 
seen in cultivation, and rather difficult to grow. Ac- 
cording to Mr. Williams, Iriarteas should be potted in 
a compost of nearly all sand and loam, and plunged in 
a tank of water, without which they are not likely to 
succeed. Propagated by imported seeds. 
I. deltoidea (deltoid).* Z. pinnate; pinne about 2in. broad, 
sessile, erose K the apex ; apical segments much the largest, 6in. 
“2 ld Tika Tank aot oeiay a a im eth. Plant spineless. 
; a 7, robusta. : 
Peru. An elegant species. SYN. J. 
I. exorhiza, See Socratea exorhiza. 
I. preemorsa (bitten off). See premorsus, 
I. robusta (robust). A synonym of I. deltoidea. 
IRIDEZ. A natural order of monocotyledonous plants. 
Perennial herbs. Flowers regular or irregular, terminal, 
in a spike, corymb, or loose panicle, rarely solitary, each 
furnished with two (rarely more) spathaceous bracts, 
usually scarious; perianth’ superior, petaloid, tubular, six- 
fid, regular or sub-bilabiate ; stamens three, inserted at the 
base of the outer row of the perianth; anthers innate, 
Vol. IL. 
Tridem—eronii. © 
opening on the back. Leaves usually all radical, equitant, 
distichous, ensiform or linear, angular, entire, flat, or folded 
longitudinally, the cauline ones alternate, sheathing. Iridex 
inhabit both warm and perate regions, and abound at 
the Cape of Good Hope. They possess fragrant, stimn- 
lant, and acrid properties. Illustrative genera are: Crocus, 
Gladiolus, Tris, Inia. 
IRIS (the Greek name for the rainbow, used as a title 
of this plant since the time of Hippocrates). Including 
Evansia, Gynandriris, Hermodactylon, Oncocyclus, Xiphion, 
&c. ORD. Iridee. A genus of about a hundred species 
of mostly hardy herbaceous plants with creeping or 
tuberous rootstocks, natives of Northern temperate regions, 
Flowers in sheaths; perianth six-cleft; segments in two 
rows; three outer ones reflexed, often bearded at the base ; 
three inner ones erect, usually smaller than the others; 
 perianth tube short; stamens three, inserted at the base 
of the outer row of the perianth; anthers innate ; style 
with three petal-like divisions. Capsule leathery, trigonous, 
dehiscing loculicidally. Leaves chiefly radical, equitant, 
sword-shaped or linear. | 
The numerous species and varieties of Iris, now in cul- 
tivation, comprise a large and most interesting group 
of hardy plants, remarkable alike for their curiously- 
constructed and quaintly-marked flowers, and for the 
peculiar manner in which many beautiful colours are 
blended in them. A large proportion of the commoner 
species do not’ need more than ordinary attention to — 
secure a profusion of flowers annually; but there are 
several which require special treatment, and can then | 
rarely be induced to flower. These are, however, well 
deserving of special attention, on account of the beau- 
tiful markings and combination of colours the limited 
number of flowers they bear more particularly exhibit. 
There are two large and distinct sections into which the 
Iris is usually divided according to its habit of growth, 
and these are distinguished by the one haying long bulb- 
like corms, and the other creeping fleshy root-stocks or 
rhizomes. For convenience, they may be termed the 
bulbous and rhizomatous sections, and a reference* made 
to each separately, as the proper treatment varies some- 
what considerably with several of the species. The flower- 
ing season of the Iris is principally spring and early 
summer; but, with an assortment of the numerous meo ie 
cies and varieties in each section, it may be red 
throughout almost the whole year. Height in the plants 
varies from 2in. or 3in. in some species, to 3ft. or 4ft. 
in others; and a great diversity of habit is lso repr 
ripe, preferably in pans or boxes, which may be placed 
E. Be 
— fo 
Fig. 323. DEHISCING CAPSULE OF IRIS. 
in a cold frame. Fig. 323 shows the way in which the 
seed capsule bursts, when ripe, for discharging its con- 
2c 
