116 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING 
Crinum americanum with its lovely pure white flowers lights 
up the dreary Florida swamps and is hardy generally over the 
state. It produces its fragrant flowers the greater part of the 
year and may be readily transplanted. There are apparently 
two nearly related species growing in Dade County. 
Hymenocallis, Spider Lily. There are several species of this 
genus which are natives of Florida and all have flowers of delicate 
satiny texture. They look like little white umbrellas with the 
ribs projecting beyond the cover. The ribs are the stamens 
and the cover is a sort of crown which connects them. The 
large green, fleshy seed bulbs are often carried by sea from the 
West Indies and are landed on our shores where they germinate. 
Canna flaccida. A beautiful native Canna with yellow flowers, 
an inhabitant of wet lands throughout the state. It will do well 
in good soil that is not too dry. 
Thalia divaricata. A handsome bog plant growing throughout 
the state. It reaches a height of ten feet, with banana-like 
leaves three or four feet long, and bears elegant purplish flowers. 
It should be planted in deep, rich soil. 
Blepharigottis. A genus of terrestrial orchids that is well repre- 
sented in Florida and one that contains some very attractive 
species. I do not know whether any attempt has been made to 
cultivate any of them or not but they should be tried. B. ciliaris 
is especially fine. 
Hibiscus grandiflorus. A half shrubby plant growing in swamps 
near the sea coast throughout the state. It has hastate, lobed 
hoary leaves and very handsome large pink flowers with a deep 
red center. It is abundantly worthy of cultivation and might 
grow in moderately dry, rich soil. H. moscheutos is very much 
like the former but has ovate leaves. There are several other 
fine native Hibiscus and among them are H. coccineus with a 
deep red flower, H. militaris which is nearly glabrous and has a 
large, dark eyed pink flower, H. incanus having a yellow blossom 
with a crimson eye and H. aculeatus which is hispid all over, with 
lobed leaves and a yellow, purple-eyed flower. All are hardy 
throughout the state and are cultivated elsewhere. 
Verbena maritima. This plant grows wild in Dade County and 
bears charming purple flowers in profusion. There are two 
