INCARVILLEA 



THE BULB BOOK 



IPOM.EA 



to a tree called Icaco). Nat. Ord. 

 Oleaceae. — The only species that has 

 been introduced, and is still practi- 

 cally unknown, is I. Manni, a native 

 of the (Julf of Guinea. It is a hot- 

 house ])erennial with a large smooth, 

 roundisli, tuberous root-stock 6 to 12 

 ins. in diameter, from Avhich arise 

 slender climbing stems, bearing 

 opposite, elliptic, truncated leaves of 

 membranous texture. The small 

 silky yellow blossoms with protrud- 

 ing stamens appear about October, in 

 short cymes from the axils of the 

 leaves. (Jiof. Maij. t. 62G0.) 



This species will grow in sandy 

 loam and leaf-mould, and requires 

 plenty of heat and moisture. In- 

 creased by cuttings of the young 

 shoots in spring, inserted in bottom 

 heat under a bell-glass or frame. 



INCARVILLEA (in honour of Fere 

 iXIncarviUe^ a Chinese Jesuit mission- 

 ary, and correspondent of Bernard de 

 Jussieu). Xat. Ord. Bignoniacese. — 

 There are several species of Incar- 

 villea, some annuals and biennials, 

 but the only perennials of a tuberous 

 character are those here mentioned. 



I. Delavayi. — A charming hardy 

 herbaceous perennial, native of China, 

 with large fleshy, spindle - shaped 

 roots, and large leaves pinnately cut 

 into numerous elliptic, crenulate 

 segments. The large rosy-carmine 

 tubular flowers, spotted with yellow 

 and brown at the base, are borne in 

 loose trusses during the summer 

 months, on stems H to 2 ft. high. 

 {Rev. I fort. 1893, t. 544.) 



This species flourishes in ordinary 

 good garden soil of a gritty character, 

 and should be grown in sunny situa- 

 tions to secure the depth of colour in 

 the /lowers. It may be easily raised 

 from seeds sown in spring in gentle 

 heat, or by means of cuttings detached 

 from the tubers in spring, and inserted 



in sandy soil under a bell-glass or 

 light. 



I. grandiflora, also from China, is 

 like /. Delavayi, but has shorter 

 leaves and leaflets, also a shorter 

 flower-stem bearing a few rosy-red 

 flowers {Gard. Chron. 1898, xxiv. 8). 

 It is somewhat more tender than /. 

 Drlavayi, but is on the whole a finer 

 llowering plant. 



I. variabilis.- A native of W. China, 

 1 to lo ft. high, with pinnate leaves, 

 and loose erect racemes of small rose- 

 purple tubular flowers {Bot. Ma<j. 

 t. 76.-)!). 



IPOM.ffiA (/;w. Bindweed ; omoios, 

 similar). Xat. Ord. Convolvulaceai. — 

 This genus contains some 300 to 400 

 species according to various authori- 

 ties. They are divided into annuals 

 and perennials, some being hardy, 

 others requiring the protection of a 

 greenhouse or hothouse, but all alike 

 in having climbing and twining stems 

 like our Common Bearbind (Convol- 

 vulus), and beautiful funnel-shaped 

 flowers. Eepresentatives of the genus 

 are found in almost every part of the 

 subtropical and tropical world, conse- 

 quently cultural conditions vary. 

 There are comparatively few species 

 having tuberous root-stocks, those 

 mentioned here being amongst the 

 best known. They nearly all lose 

 their leaves and stems in winter, so 

 that they enjoy a period of repose 

 during that season. Very little or no 

 water is then required. In spring, 

 however, when growth recommences 

 plenty of moisture is necessary. A 

 compost of fibrous loam with a little 

 leaf-mould and sand suits most of them 

 perfectly. Propagation of the tuber- 

 ous species is effected by division of 

 the roots, or by cuttings from them in 

 spring, inserted in sandy soil under a 

 light. 

 I. Batatas.— The "Sweet Potato'"' 



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