An Encyclopedia of Horticulture. 



21 



ActSBa — continued. 



A. S. rubra (red). * This ililffis frum tliu type in havinj; I.ri;;Iit 

 ri'ii hollies, «liii*li aic disposed in dense cliisteis on spiUes 

 nvfrtoppiiiix tile fuliage. Nortb America. A very hamUornu 

 liardy perennial. 



ACTINISIiIiA (from aktin, a ray; small rayed). Svn. 

 Furailrniit. i)iiD. C'lmipoHtw. A small g-ouu-s of hardy 

 herbaceous plants, having radiate capitulcs. The only 

 species worth cultivating' is A. grandijiora. It thrives iu 

 an open border with a light soil. Increased by divisions 

 of tho root in spring. 



A. gri*£Lndiflora (larHe-flnwered).* jL-ftrads- ydlow, lar;re, and 

 liarid^i'Mif, 5in. in liiameter. Sunniier. A. bin. tu Liin. CnlMiado. 

 A very ptetty branched perennial, suitable for the alpine garden. 

 A. lanata (woolly). >V'- Erlophylluxn csespitosum. 



ACTINIDIA (from aktin, a ray: tin.' styles radiate 

 like the -spokes of a wheel). Ord. Tenisfnrmi(tce<v. A 

 genus of ornamental hardy deciduous climbing shrubs, 

 with axillary corymbs of flowers; sepals and petals 

 imbricate. Leaves entire. Excellent for trellis-work or 

 walls, and thriving best in a light rich soil. Increased 

 by seeds, layers, or cuttings ; the latter should be put in 

 under a hand light in autumn, in sandy soil. 



Actinio-pteris— continued. 

 moist atmosphere is also essential, and the plants may be 

 syringed two or three times a day. A mean summer 

 temperature of VSdeg. to SOdeg., with a night one of not 

 less than 65dng., is desirable. In winter, a mean tem- 

 perature of about 73tieg., and a night one of not less 

 than (Iihleg., should be maintained. 



A. radiata (rayed).* liti. densely tufted, 2in. to 6in. long, fronds 

 fan sliaped, lin. to liln. each way, composed of numerous dichoto- 

 Hiotis sejiuients, half line broad, those of the fertile frond longer 

 than tliose of the barren one. India, Ac. (very widely dis- 

 tril)uted), 1369. In fumi this elegant little species is a perfect 

 niiTiiatiiM> of the Kan I'ahn, Latam'a boihotimt. 



A, r. australis (soutliern)* /rnn<!s, .segments fewer, larger, 

 and sulndate at the pnint. J'lant nuicli larj;er and more vigorous. 



ACTINOCARPUS (from (dtin, a ray, and harpos, 

 fruit; referring to the curiously radiatecl fruit, resembling 

 a star Hsh). Oro. AlismacecB. Pretty little aquatic pe- 

 rennials, with habit and inflorescence of Alisma. Carpels 

 six to eight, connate at base, spreading horizontally. Ex- 

 cellent for naturalising in bogs and pools. Increased by 

 seeds and divisions during spring 

 A Damasonium (Damasonium). Ray Pod. jl. white, very 



Fig. 24. Actinidia volubilis. 



A Kolomikta (KoIumikUi).* Jl. white, solitary, axillary, or 

 cynupse, Ain. in diameter ; peiUincIes about ^in. long. Summer. 

 I. ovate-oblonf^, petiolate. rounded or sub-cordate at the base, and 

 tapering into a lung point, serrate ; the autumnal tints are very 

 handsunie, changing to white and red. N. E. Asia, 1880. Rarely 

 met with. 



A. polygama (polygamous). Jt. wliite, fragrant. Summer. /. cor- 

 date, .serrate, petiolate. Japan, 1870. Tiie berries of this species 

 are eililile. 



A. VolubUiS (twininji).* Jl. white, smalL June. I. oval on 

 flowering branehes. elliptic on climbing stems. Japan, 1874. A 

 Very free growing species. See Fig. 24. 



ACTINIOPTEB.IS (from aktin, a ray, and pferis, a. 

 fern ; the fronds are radiately cut into narrow segments). 

 Ord. Filices. Sori linear-elongated, sub-marginal ; invo- 

 lucres (:= indusia) the same shape as the sorus, folded over 

 it, placed one on each side of the narrow segments of the 

 frond, opening towards the midrib. A small genus of 

 beautiful and distinct stove ferns. They thrive in a com- 

 post of equal parts crocks and charcoal, about the size of 

 peas, which must be mixed with silver sand and a very 

 small portion of loam and peat. About half the pot should 

 be tilled with crocks, perfect drainage being necessary. A 



delicate ; each petal has a yellow spot at the b:ise ; scapes with 

 a terminal \unbel. June. /. radical, on long petioles, some- 

 times floating, elliptical, tive-nerved. A native aquatic. The 

 proper name of this plant is Damasonium nfellatuin. 

 A. minor (smaller).* This greenhouse species, also with white 

 flowers, from New South Wales, is smaller. 

 ACTINOMZSRIS (from aktin, a ray, and ineris, a 

 jiart ; referring to the radiated aspect of the plants). 

 8yn. Pferophiffon. Ord. Composifa;. A small genus of 

 herbaceous perennials allied to Ht^lianfhut-, but with com- 

 pressed and winged achenes. Flower-heads corymbose, 

 Coreopsis-like. Leaves ovate or lanceolate, serrate. They 

 are hardy, ornamental plants, and of easy cultivation, in 

 a loamy soil. Increased in spring, by seeds and division 

 of the roots, on a warm border, with or without hand 

 lights, or in cold frames. With the exception of A. helian- 

 thoides, they are but little known in this country. 

 A. alata (wing-stalked). Jl,-hcads yeUow. July. A. 3ft. America. 



1803. 

 A. helianthoides (sunflower-like).* jl-kcads yellow, 2in. across, 



July to September, h. 3ft. S. America, 1825. 

 A procera (tall).* jX.-heads yellow. September, h. 8ft. N. 

 Anierica, 1766. 



