IN FLORIDA 173 
Curculigo recurvata is a plant whose leaves resemble those of a 
young palm. It does well in good soil but is tender. 
Curcuma. Two or three species of this genus which have 
flowers in close heads do well here in rich, moist ground. They 
are probably tender. 
Cyanophyllum magnificum. A plant from tropical Mexico with 
magnificent, large leaves which are richly colored, might grow in 
moist hammock in the most tropical part of the state. It should 
be tried. 
Dahlia. Reports from the northern part of the state show 
that Dahlias do well there but further south they do not seem 
to succeed. In this region they are occasionally cultivated in 
rich soil. 
Daedalocanthus nervosus is a profusely blooming plant which 
does excellently here, where it should be cut back to the base of 
the stems when it is done flowering. All winter it bears spikes of 
rich blue flowers in great abundance and should be well fertilized 
to keep it in good condition. It is tender. 
Datura. Strong growing plants, often strong smelling, which 
bear very large white, yellow or purple funnel-shaped flowers, 
single or double. They are tender plants which ordinarily do 
well in good moist soil, but they are subject to root knot. 
Dianthus. A crimson flowered carnation often does well here 
but is subject to a blight which generally kills it. The Chinese 
pinks succeed as annuals in winter. I should think that the 
pinks would do finely in the cooler part of the state as they would 
be hardy. 
Dieffenbachia. A genus of Aroids with superbly variegated 
leaves, natives of Central and South America. Their juice is 
extremely acrid and is said to produce speechlessness, and not 
only that but swelling of the throat and burning agony for hours, 
hence the native name “Dumb Cane.”’ I planted a number of 
these in the edge of my brackish swamp, confident that the land 
crabs would not dare to touch them or if they did their careers 
would be ended, but not the slightest injury came to them. 
They munched my beautiful plants as cheerfully as a horse 
would oats and even dug up and devoured the roots. They 
