(Jreeiikoiuie and Stove tiaidt 



297 



que 

 de. 



ing with insecticif 



PTERIS. 



A genus of pretty Ferns, including stove, 

 greenhouse, and hardy species. Many of 

 them are of elegant habit, and especially 

 adapted for decorative use in combination 

 with other plants, as also in a cut state for 

 mixing with flowers. Variegation of a 

 decided character is rare among Ferns, but 

 it is found in Pteris more distinct than 

 in others — for example, the beautiful little 

 P. tricolor, with P. Argyrcea and P. cretica 

 albo-lineata. 



For propagation and cultivation, see 

 Ferns, general details of culture. 



STOVE SPECIES. 



P. aspericmdis. East Indies. 



P. nemoralis variegata. Bourbon. 



P. rubricaidis. 



P. tricolor. Malacca. 



GREENHOUSE SPECIES. 



P. argyrcea. East Indies. 



P. cretica. Candia. 



P. cretica albo-lineata. Java, 



P. hastata. South Africa. 



P. scaherula. New Zealand. 



P. serrulata. India. 



P. serrulata Applebyana. 



P. serrulata cristata. Japan. 



P. serrulata cristata lacerata. 



P. serrulata Dixonii. 



P. serrulata Leyii. 



P. umbrosa. Australia. 



PTYCHOSPERMA. 



A genus of greenhouse Palms, few in 

 number but remarkable for their elegant 

 appearance. When they have attained a 

 medium size they rank among the most 

 stately objects that can be introduced to a 

 conservatory ; what is still more in their 

 favour is their ability to thrive w'ith much 

 less warmth than most Palms. 



For propagation and cultivation, see 

 Palms, general details of culture. 



P. Alexandrce. A handsome species, in 

 either a small or mature state. The leaves 

 are pinnate, the pinn?e droop slightly, 

 which combined with the evenly arched 

 form of the entire leaf gives the plant a 

 plume-like appearance, such as is not 

 surpassed by any in cultivation. From 

 Queensland. 



P. Cunninghamii (syn: Seafoi-thiaelegans). 

 In general appearance this is so like P. 

 Alexandrge that an intimate acquaintance 

 with the two plants is necessary to dis- 



tinguish one from the other. The young 

 leaves of this kind have not the reddish- 

 brown tint that is present in P. Alexandrse, 

 but in other resjiects they are so near alike 

 that it is not neces.sai'y to include both in 

 the same collection. New Holland. 



P. rupicola. A stately, distinct-looking 

 species, with broad pinnate leaves, the 

 pinnte much wider than in the last-named 

 kinds. A native of Ceylon. 



PULTEN^A. 



An extensive genus of. low -growing 

 evergreen greenhouse shrubs, with great 

 sameness in the flowers, as most of the 

 species are yellow. 



They succeed with treatment such as 

 given for Boronias, which see. 



The undermentioned are the most de- 

 .sirable : — 



P. cordata. Flowers yellow, produced 

 in sjiring. A native of Van Dieman's 

 Land. 



P. elliptica. Yellow ; a spring bloomer. 

 From New Holland. 



P. ericoides. Yellow and red ; also a 

 spring bloomer. Swan River. 



REIDIA GLAUCESCENS. 



An elegant and very singular stove 

 plant, with erect habit of growth like that 

 of most of the Aralias. In general appear- 

 ance the leaves are like those of some of 

 the Mimosas. The flowers, which in them- 

 selves are insignificant, are produced singly, 

 one to each of the leaflets, giving the plant 

 a most remarkable appearance. It is best 

 adapted for confining to a small state, such 

 as in 5 or 6 inch pots, for table decoration. 



It is increased by cuttings, and gro\vTi 

 on afterwards in the way advised for stove 

 Aralias, requiring heat like them, which 

 see. A native of Java. 



RESEDA ODORATA. 



(Mignonette.) 



This fragrant flower is everywhere a 

 favourite. 



It is easily raised from seed sown at 

 different times in the year, according to 

 the season it is wanted to flower. It is 

 most acceptable in winter. There are 

 dift'erent ways of treating it so as to have 

 it in bloom during the dull season ; either 

 by growing several small plants in 6-inch 

 pots or by large examples grown singly in 

 good-sized pots, usually described as tree 

 Mignonette. To have'^the latter in good 

 condition the seeds should be sown in 

 spring, three or four together in 3 or 4 



