MARICA 



THE EULB BOOK 



MAKICA 



The variegated form {varie(jnta) is 

 Itrobably better known in gardens as 

 J*hr)/nium variciintum. It is an 

 ornamental plant, Avitli leaves 

 elegantly variegated with oblique 

 bands of green and yellow. 



M. bicolor.— A pretty species, with 

 roundish leaves of a pale blue-green 

 with irregular blotches of deep and 

 shining green about half-way between 

 the midrib and edges, the under- 

 surface being rose-purple. {Ijot. Jicj. 

 t. 786 ; Lodd. Lot. Cat. t. 921.) 



There are several varieties of this, 

 the best being Devusiana, Kevchov- 

 eann, Mukoi/Kna, and Miissam/einnt. 



M. musaica. — A very distinct 

 species, with obliiiuely heart-shaped 

 leaves of a deep and shining green, 

 decorated with numerous whitish 

 transverse lines, which give a mosaic 

 appearance. 



M. Sagoreana has very jiale green 

 oblong leaves marked on each side of 

 the midrib with deep green, oblong, 

 oblique stripes. 



M. speciosa. — Leaves obliquely 

 elliptic, oblong, pointed, bright green 

 decorated with greenish-white bands. 



M. striata. — A dwarf kind about 

 6 ins. high, having pale green leaves 

 conspicuously striped and marked 

 with white and pale yellow. 



Several other plants called Marantas 

 are really Calatheas. M. major now 

 belongs to the genus Iscdnosiphox, 

 It has pretty, erect, green leaves. 



MARICA {maraino, to Hag or wilt ; 

 referring to the Heeting nature of the 

 Howers). Nat. Ord. Iridete.— A genus 

 with about a dozen species of herba- 

 ceous plants having short thickish 

 root-stocks, sword - shaped leathery 

 leaves arising fan-like in two rows, 

 and Heeting Howers of white, blue, or 

 yellow, somewhat resembling those of 

 some species of Iris in appearance. 



The Maricas (which now include 



the plants formerly known as 

 Cvpella) are best grown in a green- 

 house, and Hourish in a compost of 

 sandy loam, peat, and leaf-mould in 

 ccjual proportions. They are easily 

 increased by division of the root- 

 stocks, but seeds may also be sown 

 in gentle heat in spring. 



M. brachypus. — A beautiful West 

 Indian species having yellow flowers 

 transversely striped with reddish- 

 brown at the base. {Hot. Mag. t. 

 G380.) 



M. coerulea. — A Brazilian plant 

 about 3 ft, high, having blue or lilac 

 Howers striped with brown, yellow, 

 and white at the base, and produced 

 in May and June. {Hot. J fa;/, t. 561 2.) 



M. gracilis. — This species from 

 Central America grows about 2 ft. 

 high, and has white Howers striped 

 with yellow and brown at the base, 

 the inner segments being reHexed 

 and blue in colour. {Bot. Maij. t. 

 3713.) 



M. Helenae. — A Brazilian species 

 near M. cwruha, with blue and white 

 Howers nearly 5 ins. across. 



M. humilis. — A Brazilian plant, 

 1 to 2 ft. high, with whitish Howers 

 having four reddish-brown stripes on 

 the claw. {Lodd. Bat. Cab. t. 1801.) 



M. longifolia. — A native of Rio de 

 Janeiro, with yellow Howers striped 

 with brown. 



M. lutea. — A native of Brazil, 

 resembling M. humilis, but with 

 bright yellow Howers having five 

 deep red stripes on the claw. {Bot. 

 Mail. t. 3809.) 



M. Northiana {Monea Xorthiamt). 

 — A fine Brazilian plant over a yard 

 high, with large pure white flowers 

 variegated with yellow and brown on 

 the claw. {liut. Ma<j. t. 654 ; Flora 

 andSylva, February 1905.) 



M. occidentali.s. — A Peruvian 

 species, having fan-shaped tufts of 

 leaves, and white Howers, the inner 



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