8 



The Dictionary of Gardening, 



ACANTHISFHIPFinM (the derivation of this word 

 is not apparent). Ord. Orchidew. A peculiar class of 

 terrestrial stove orehiils. Flowers rather large, racemose, few ; 

 sepals combined in a broad oblique pitcher, including the 

 petals, which are adnate to the base of the column ; column 

 short, produced into a long foot. Pseudo-bulbs oblong. 

 Leaves few, large, longer than the scapes. The best 

 species are tlie two first-mentioned. They will thrive well 

 in sandy peat, with a quantity of small stones, broken pots, 

 or gravel. A great deal of heat and moisture are absolutely 

 essential during the growing period. Propagated, as soon 

 as growth commences, by dividing the pseudo-bulbs. 



A. "bicolor (twrt-cnldnri'd).* Ji. purple and yellow, about 2iii. Inn-i, 

 cainp;iiiiilati', I'viMlured in clusters of three or four tniictlKT : 

 petals I'ljldiii; laiKa'ulatt*, .acutish; lateral lobes of lip louiukal. 

 •Tuiif. /(. 9in. Ceylon, 1833. 



A. Curtlsil (Curtis's).* fl. same shape as above (except the lip), 

 with nuineious purple spots, light rose, and flush ; cohniiii 

 white, nail of lip yellow, keels yellowish, lacinije white with 

 purple. Malay Archipelaso, 1881. The five keels between the 

 side lacinia" distinguish it from the foregoing species and A. 

 sylhetense, 



A. javanicum (Javane.se).* fl. yellow and red, with distinct 

 longitudinal stripes ; petals triangular ; lip three-lobed ; lateral 

 lobes truncate ; intermediate lobe constricted in middle, ovate, 

 and tuberculate at the apex, fleshy on both sides at base, 

 with truncate emarginate niflexed teeth. September, h. lift. 

 Java, 1843. 



A. sylhetense (Sylhet). /. white, with many irregrdar spots and 

 blotches towards the extieniities of the outer portions. June. 

 A. 9in. 8ylhet, 1837. 



ACANTHOIiIBIOIT (irora altant'hos,^. spine, and limon, 

 sea lavender). Ord. Planfaginea-. Dwarf hardy tutted 

 evergreen plants, distinguished from allied genera in having 

 sharp-pointed rigid leaves. They are of rather slow growth, 

 thriving best in a sandy soil, and sunny position, on rock- 

 work more particularly. The iiowers are similar to Statice 

 and Aiineria. Increased by seeds (which germinate slowly), 

 sown carefully on a warm but rather shaded border, and 

 transplanted when large enough to handle: or by cuttings 

 and very carefully made divisions. The cuttings should be 

 made in late summer, and placed in a frame, to remain 

 there diiring the winter. 



A. gliunaceum (prickly).* A. rose, spicate, about ^in. across, 

 six to eight in a spikelet. Sunnner. t. densely packed and 

 sharply pointed with spines, k. 6in. Armenia, 1851. Very com- 

 pact and distinct. SVN. Statice Ararati. 



A. Kotschyi (Kotschy's). fl. white. A good species, but very 

 rarely seen in British gardens. 



Fig. 7. Acanthoumon venustum. 



A. venustum (charming).* fl. rose, spicate, from twelve to twenty 

 in each spike. Summer. I. broader than in the last, .and glaucous. 

 h. bin. or Sin. Cilicia, 1873. A r.are and handsome alpine. 

 Larger than the preceding. See Fig. 7. 



ACANTHOFHCENIX (from alcantha, a spine, and 

 j)?ioint>, the Date Palm). Ord. Palnuc. A very elegant 

 stove palm, differing from Areca principally in habit, and 

 requiring a light sandy soU and a summer temperature 

 of 65deg. to 80deg., winter 55deg. to 65deg. Increased 

 by seeds only ; these germinate best in a moist bottom 

 heat, and a well decomposed compost of one part loam, 

 one of peat, one of leaf mould, and the remainder of sand. 

 They may remain in this soil for two or three years. 



A. crinita (hairy).* fl. spirally arranged, in threes, the central one 

 being female. /. the fronds are arched, broadly ovate in outline, 

 pectinately pinnate in division, with long linear acuminate seg- 

 ments, paler beneath. The stem is densely armed with black, 

 neetlle-shaped spines, and much swollen towards the base. Sey- 

 chelles, 1868. 



ACAK'THOBHIZA (from al;antha,a, spine, and rhiia, 

 a root). Ord. Palni(E. A small genus of stove palms, 

 differing from Trith rina.r by the aerial roots of the trunk 

 hardening into spines (which are horizontal or pointed 

 upwards), and by the blade of the leaf being divided 

 down to the petiole. They delight in a rich loamy 

 soil, and are propagated by seeds, in a moist, sweet 

 hotbed, in spring. 



A. aculeata (spiny).* {. orbicular, palmately slit into numerous 



linear-lanceolate, glabrous segments, deep-green above, silvery 

 beneath ; petioles slender ; the trunk is covered with a network 

 of branching spines. Mexico, 1879. SVN. Chanuerops staura- 

 cantha. 



A. Wallisll (Wallis's).* A recent introduction from tropical 

 America, and not yet much cultivated ; it is a tall palm with 

 orbicular palmate leaves. 



A. Warzcewlczil (Warzcewicz's).* This differs from the pre- 

 ceding species by its more irregidarly divided leaf blade, which 

 is white below. Tropical America. 



ACANTHOSTACHYUM (from alanthos, a spine, and 

 siac/iys, aspike). Ord. BromeUacew. A monotypio genus of 

 stove evergreen herbaceous plants ; of easy cultui'e in a com- 

 post of equal parts sand, decayed wood, and rotten leaves. 

 Propagated by suckers, which strike readily in bottom 

 heat. 



A. strobilacea (cone-fruited), fl. red and yellow ; scape simple, 

 long, scurfy ; bracts coloured. June. t. radical, very long, in- 

 curved, narrow, thick, puniieut, channelled, spiny-toothed, covered 

 with white scurf. A. 4ft. 'Brazil, 1840. 



ACANTHUS (from akanthos, a spine; several species 

 being spiny or prickly). Bear's Breech. OuD. AcanthacecB. 

 A group of stately, ornamental perennial plants, mostly 

 hardy, remarkable for their vigorous growth and beautiful 

 foliage. Flowers sessile, crowded, spicate ; corolla tubular, 

 one-lipped ; lip three lobed. To attain perfection they 

 require a deep soil, and a situation fully exposed to the 

 sun. They will, however, thrive moderately well in 

 common soil and partial shade. The habit being generally 

 a bold one, they are most suited for isolated tufts, 

 backgrounds of mixed borders, and the wild garden. 

 Propagated by seeds, sown in gentle heat, or by division 

 of the roots, in autumn or early spring. 



A. carduifolius (thistle-leaved), fl. blue. August, h. 3ft. 



fape of (_iood Hope, 1816. Greenhouse species. 

 A. hispanicus (Spanish), fl. white. August. I. large, shining, 



and deeply cut. It. 2ft. Spain, 1700. 

 A. longifolius (long-leaved). *./(. purple, rose, in the axils of the 



bracts, which are oval, acuminate, spiny, of a reddish hue, 



funning a spike nearly 1ft. long. June. I. radical, 2ft. to 3ft. 



long ; iiuiuert.uis. h. 5ft. to 4ift. Daliuutia, 1869. 

 A. lusitanlcus (Portugal) Synonymous with A.mollUlati- 



foliUfi. 



A. mollis (soft).* fl. white or rose, sessileintheaxilsof thedeeply- 

 toutlied bracts : spikes about l^ft. Summer, i. sinuated, unarmed, 

 heart-shjiped in outline, 2ft. long by 1ft. broad, h. 3ft. to 4ft. 

 It.aly, 1548. 



A. m. latlfollus (broad-leaved).* A variety of A. mollis, but 

 ]ari;er and more robust in every part. This very handsome form 

 is probably the best gi'own ; it is one of the most suitable for slil)- 

 tropical gardeninti. A warm sunny spot is needful. SV.\. .1. luai- 

 tanicus. Sec Fig. 8. 



A, montanus (nK>untain).* fl. rose. August, h. 3ft. West 

 Africa, 1865. A shrubby species. 



A. niger (black), fl. purplish white. July to September. I. 

 siuuate;l, unarmed, glabrous, shiiimg gi'een. A. 3ft. Portugal, 

 1759. 



