ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PLANTS 217 



drained position, and are slow of growth and not easy to propagate. 

 The best method is by working plenty of sand and cocoa fibre well 

 into the tufts in early autumn, having previously carefully torn some 

 of the branches, at a junction, so as to half sever them. After this 

 treatment water well to settle the soil. By spring many of the 

 growths so treated will be found to have rooted. Cuttings are 

 uncertain. The best time to take them is in August and September. 

 Tearing them off with a heel^ insert without further preparation in 

 very sandy loam. 



The following are the only varieties in cultivation, but none, with 

 the exception of A. glumaceum, are at all common. 



A. acerosum. — Sunny, sheltered corner. Light, well-drained soil. 

 Close-tufted habit, forming a cushion of spiny, grey, glaucous leaves. 

 Very slow-growing. Rosy-pink flowers on stems 6 inches high in 

 July. Propagate as already described. Hardy. A rare and attractive 

 species ; the grey, glaucous, spiny leaves rather remind one of the 

 foliage of Dianthus caesius, but, on touching, they will be found to 

 be armed with sharp spikes. 



A. androsaceum. — Soil and aspect same as last. A dense tufted 

 species. Leaves, grey, glaucous, spiny. Bright pink flowers with a 

 shade of purple in them, on sprays 4 inches high. Flowers in July. 

 Propagate as described. Hardy. A very good and choice rock 

 plant of easy culture ; will spread over the ledge of a rock. Owing 

 to the pliant nature of the leaves, the rosettes appear to be less 

 spiny than in the case of ^. venustum^ which it resembles. 



A. armenum. — Hot, sunny aspect and well-drained soil. Spiny 

 foliage and pink flowers on sprays nearly 6 inches high. 



A. glumaceufn. — Sunny aspect and light, well-drained soil. 

 Forms spiny cushions of narrow dark-green leaves 6 inches high. 

 This is the most vigorous grower of the family. Bright rose- 

 coloured flowers, six to eight in a spikelet, with bracts rather like 

 a Thrift. Flowers June to August. Propagated by cuttings or 

 layers as described. Quite hardy. The best known of the family, 

 and should be in every rock garden, where, in any suitable position, 

 it will thrive well. 



A. cephalotes. — Well-drained soil in a sunny position. Rosettes 

 less compact than most species, and composed of narrow spiny 

 leaves. Globose heads of rosy-pink flowers. A rare species, but 

 well worth cultivating. 



A. Kotschyi. — Requires same soil and aspect as other kinds. 

 Rather broader spiny leaves than most of the others, and about 

 4 inches high. White flowers freely produced. 



A. libanoticum. — Dry, well-drained, sunny position. Dense in 

 growth and very woody. Pink flowers. 



A. venustum (syn. A. laxijiorunt). — A sheltered, sunny aspect. 



