THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



the list short, Gladiokis. including the species from which the 

 hybridist has evolved our garden races of Gladioli. These well- 

 known names are a sufficient reminder of our indebtedness. Of 

 none, not even Gladiolus, have the full uses Ijeen made and many 

 have been quite neglected. All are remarkable for the brilliancy 

 of their blossoms ])ut not a few are shy to flower under our gray 

 northern skies. 



Most of the Cape bulbs are found in the dried, rocky parts, 

 but the Watsonias are partial to acid soils and the different species 

 of Gladiolus are found under a variety of climatic conditions. 

 Certain species like G. alatus, G. cuspidatus and G. angustus are 

 confined to the western part of the Cape where winter rains pre- 

 vail ; others like G. purpiireo-auratus and G. dracocephaliis to Natal 

 with its heavy summer rains ; a few, like G. psitt acinus and G. 

 Saundersii are common to both regions. Some, as for example, 

 G. cardiimlis and G. splciidcns, are native of those parts where 

 the annual rainfall is fairly equally distributed but is not excessive. 

 Lastly there is G. prhnuUmis, a child of the mist, whose home on 

 the banks of the Zambesi River is constantly bathed in the spray 

 from the wonderful Victoria Falls, which are four hundred feet 

 high and a mile wide. 



The familiar Calla or Arum Lily (Zantcdeschia aeihiopica) is 

 common in swampy places and alongside rivers from the Cape 

 Province northward to central Africa and so, too, is a pretty, 

 blue-flowered Waterlily (Xymphaca stcllata), likewise the well- 

 known Cypcrus iitilis and the Cape Pond Weed (Aponogeton 

 distachyum ) . Under a variety of conditions the Lion's Tail 

 (Leonolis Lconurns) flourishes, but more particular are the Parrot 

 Flowers, Strelitsia regina, S. aiignsta and S. parznfolia, relatives 

 of the Banana but with crest-like, brilliant inflorescences rich in 

 honey and much visited by birds. 



Among the riches of the Cape flora it is difficult to pick and 

 choose judiciously, but I think this miscellany may be brought to an 

 end by mention of a group, more familiar the world over perhaps 

 than any individual plant yet referred to, namely the common 

 "Geranium" and "Pelargonium" of gardens. The parents of the 

 bedding Geranium, Ivy-leaf Geranium and show Pelargonium are 

 Cape plants and so. too, are the scented-leaf Geraniums. It is 



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