+ 
AN ENCYCLOPADIA 
OF HORTICULTURE. 85 
ANTHOTAXIS. The arrangement of flowers on an 
inflorescence. 
ANTHOXANTHUM (from anthos, a flower, and 
awanthus, yellow). Spring Grass. Calyx of two valves, 
glumaceous, one-flowered ; corolla double, each of two 
valves: the exterior awned; the interior small, awnless; 
stamens two, not three, as is usually the case with grasses. 
ORD. Graminee. A pretty native hardy perennial, of 
easy culture in common garden soil. 
W 
‘Wh 
XW 
| 
F1G. +107. ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM. $ 
A. odoratum (sweet). anicle spiked, oblong, dense, becomi 
dullish yellow. Z sang pte green. Ř. lft. The pleasan 
smell of new-made Ha; chiefiy owing to this plant, which in 
drying emits an odour similar to that of A odorata. 
Fig. 107. 4 j 
ANTHURIUM (from anthos, a flower, and oura, a 
tail; referring to the inflorescence). ORD. Aroideæ. Flowers 
densely disposed on a cylindrical spadix, at the base of which 
is a large bract-like spathe, that ultimately bends back- 
wards, Leaves of various shapes. This very large genus of 
handsome stove and greenhouse plants is remarkable both 
for the peculiar inflorescence and often noble leaves, and is 
istinguished in structure from all the European members 
the order in the flowers being hermaphrodite. Fibry 
peat, loam, sphagnum, broken crocks, or charcoal, and 
silver sand, form the most suitable compost. In preparing 
the peat, it should be broken up into small lumps, and then 
have most of the earthy matter knocked out of it by giving 
it a few raps with a stick, or by shaking it about in a sieve. 
_ To this, after so treated, add about one-fourth its bulk of 
sphagnum, and about half its bulk of fibrous loam, and 
just a sprinkling of fresh broken crocks, or small pieces of 
charcoal and silver sand. In placing them in 
the pots—which must be well drained—carefully spread 
out the roots and work the mixture among them, keep- 
ing the plant well up, so that when finished it stands 
- 
* 
al 
Anthurium—continued. 
clear above the rim of the pot at least 2in. or 3in., and 
forms a kind of mound or hillock. They must then be 
kept freely syringed or watered, and placed in a moist 
atmosphere, where they can enjoy a temperature ranging 
between 60deg. and 70deg., or a few degrees lower for 
the less tender species. Raising plants from seed requires 
patience. About a year elapses from the time the flowers 
are fertilised—which should be done artificially—before the 
seed ripens, and often another to get up plants. Sow as 
soon as ripe in shallow, well-drained pans or pots, filled 
with the potting mixture, and cover slightly, and place in a 
close, moist propagating case, where a temperature of from 
75deg. to 85deg. is maintained, or they may be covered 
with bell glasses. The principal thing is to keep the 
air about them constantly humid, and the material in 
which they are sown in a uniformly moist condition ; 
if this is done, the young seedlings will make their appear- 
ance in due course. When these are of sufficient 
size to handle, they should be pricked off in the same 
sort of compost, and be kept close and mbist till they 
get a start, after which graduallyinure them to more air, 
January is the best month of the year wherein to propagate 
these plants by divisions. This is done by carefully turn- 
ing them out of their pots and shaking out what Ù 
they have amongst their roots, which must be tende1 
dealt with, so as not to bruise or injure them. 
This done, they may then be pulled apart, and as many 
plants made as there are separate crowns, or the mass may 
be simply halved or quartered, according to the stock re- 
quired. Treat now as recommended above for potting. 
They are all moisture-loving plants, and must have a 
copious supply of water at all times, although, of course, 
much less during the winter than spring and summer 
months, There is no season of the year when they can 
be handled for any purpose with less risk or check than 
January. A moderate moist stove heat is advisable for 
them generally. The species enumerated are selected from 
nearly 150, and will be found to be a very representative 
collection. See also Spathiphyllum. ' ; 
A. acaule (stemless).* fl., spadix blue in a state, 
borne on ai prar: agi "spri “tg i broad, 
oblong, acuminate, lft. to 3ft. in length, erect, arranged in a 
rosulate manner, dark shining mon the surface, some- 
what paler beneath. West Indies, 1853. A noble Apoda. ; 
Q 
Fic. 108. ANTHURIUM ANDREANUM. 
A. Andreanum (André’s).* fl, gye about 3in. long, yellowish, 
with a broad central band of white ; spain opem, cordate-o 
rface irr col ted. Z ovate-lanceolate, deeply cor- 
date, green. Colambia, 6. A very beautiful species. 
Fig. ; 
Bakeri 3 he small, green, reflexed; the 
ag Ao m O ipee ai a beauty, exhibits a lovely 
