l62 HOUSE PLANTS 



SO much so that you look a second time to 

 see whether they do not belong to the cereus 

 tribe of cactuses. 



The crown of thorns (Euphorbia splen- 

 dens), is covered with short, stout, sharp 

 spines. The young growth is always covered 

 with leaves and the bright red bracts, sur- 

 rounding the flowers, are in evidence most of 

 the year. In order to keep the plant within 

 bounds it must be trained on a form. 



THE FIG MARIGOLDS 



Another class of plants which will prove 

 very interesting indeed, are the fig marigolds 

 (Mesembryanthemum). The leaves of the 

 various species assume very peculiar shapes 

 and the colour varies from a light glaucous 

 green to very dark green. Some of the 

 species flower freely, e. g., tricolorum and 

 Pomeridianum, two annuals. 



M. cordifoliuniy var. variegatuniy is a half- 

 hardy, variegated form which is well worth 

 growing as an edging for beds in summer or 

 for rockeries. 



APICRA, HAWORTHIA, GASTERIA 



The apicras, haworthias, and gasterias 

 have curiously shaped leaves. Those of the 



