HELIOTROPE. 187 
HELIOTROPE. 
About 84 different species of these shrubs are known and 
botanically identified. They are found chiefly in tropical and 
subtropical regions and a few are acclimatized to the temperate 
countries of Europe, where they are valued and cultivated on 
account of their fragrant blossoms, being readily propagated from 
seeds and cuttings. In private gardens and for commercial culti- 
vation, preference is generally given to the Heliotropium Peruvianum 
(Linn.) (syn. H. odoratum, Meench). This is a native of Peru 
and was introduced into Europe in 1757. It requires a rich soil 
and a sunny situation. In England, if grown in a conservatory 
and given free root-room by being planted in the ground, it will 
form a bush 8 or 10 feet high and flower throughout the year, but 
if grown out in the open air will be killed by the first winter. Its 
purple spikes of flowers are terminal and spirally revolute. There 
is a hybrid variety with larger flowers. In the South of France 
it will attain almost the size of the English “‘ May tree” and form 
a hedge. It is grown to rather a large extent for its exquisitely 
perfumed flowers. To extract the perfume, the system of maceration 
is employed; the flowers must be used immediately after being 
gathered, and the melted purified grease kept at as low a tempera- 
ture as possible, no more heat being applied than just sufficient to 
maintain the grease in a liquid state. The flowers are strained 
out and changed every 24 hours until the grease is saturated, it is 
then exhausted or washed with alcohol, as before described. 
The plant called “‘ Winter Heliotrope ” is the Tussilago fragrans 
(syn. Petasites fragrans and Nardosmia fragrans), sometimes 
called “Fragrant Coltsfoot.” It is a native of the South of 
Europe and a hardy plant in England, commencing to fiower 
early in December. The fragrance of its purple flowers, which 
are produced in great abundance, is very similar to that of 
the heliotrope in a mild form. This plant will thrive in any 
situation, even in the shade, but it prefers a damp clay soil. 
It requires no cultivation at all, as it spreads so freely as 
to be practically irrepressible; in fact it becomes a nuisance 
and difficult to eradicate. If once established, its strong running 
roots rapidly make a tour of the garden and send up shoots in the 
paths and other places where not wanted, covering everything and 
