58 



The Dictionary of Gardening, 



Alstromeria— continued, 

 the oUl soil aw is practicable should be removed, without 

 seriously disturbing: the roots, and the plants shifted into 

 larger or the same sized pots, according to their condition. 

 Alstriimerias were at one time much more largely grown 

 than they are at present, and the genua was represented 

 in nearly every garden. 



Fig. 66. Alstromeria adrantiaca, showing Habit and Flower. 



A. aurantlaca (golilen).* Jl. oranfie; two upper perianth seg- 

 ments huu'cnlate, streaked with red; arranged in a five to six 

 stalked umbel, hcHiiiii;' ten to fifteen blooms. Summer and au- 

 tumn. I. numerdus, liiieiu-elliiilical, obtuse, glaucous, twisted and 

 turned back at thu b;is.>. ubniit 'IMn. long. A, 3ft. to 4ft. Chili, 

 1831. A varialile but veiy sliuwy species, quite hardy. See Fig. 66. 



A. caryophyllsea (<-l.)vo-like scent).* Jl. scarlet; very fragrant, 

 periunth two-Hpjied ; peduncles longer than the involucre. 

 February and March. I. spathulate-olUong. Stem erect, k. Sin. 

 to 12in. Brazil, 1776. This stuve species requires perfect rest in 

 winter. Syn, A. Litjtu. 



Fig. 67. Flower of Alstr5meria Pelegrina. 



A. chilensis (ChUian).* fl. blood-red or pink, large, the two 

 upper interior petals longer and narrower, variegated with yellow 

 lines ; in pairs on a five to six stalked umbel. Summer and 

 autumn. I. scattered, obovate, spathulate ; upper ones lanceolate, 

 twisted at the base, mitmtely fringed on the edges, glaucescent. 

 h. 2ft. to 3ft. Chili, 1849. Hardy. There are many varieties 

 of this species, varying in colttur from a rosy white to a deep 

 orange or reil. 



A. densiflora (thickly-flowered).* fi., perianth scarlet, dotted 



Alstromeria— n)((/i>n(ed. 



with lilaik sjiots in?:ide toward.s the base; umbels many-flowered, 

 dense ; pedicels jjuliescent, r;irety bracteated. I. alternate, ovate, 

 shurtly :u.niniin:ite, jiultesceiit underneath. Stem climbing, gla- 

 Virous, J'eru, 1865. Temier species. 



A. Flos Martini (St. Martin's flower). Synonymous with 

 A. iiulrlira. 



A, Hookeri (Houker's). Synonymous with A. SlmsU. 



A. Ligtu (l.igtu). Synonymous with .(4. ca/7/opAi/?;a;a. 



A. Pelegrina (the native name).* _rf. white, or pale yellow, striped 

 with rose, and yelluw sjiut on each se;:nient ; pedicels (ine-fluwrred, 

 on a six or more stalked umltel. Summer. I. lanceolati-, twisted at 

 the base. ^j. 1ft. ChUi, 1754. Rather tender. See Fig. 67. 



A. p. alba (white).* Lily of the Incas. fi. white. Perhaps this 

 is the most chaste of all the Alstromerias, and more tender than 

 nmuy others ; it should have a specially warm spot, or the protec- 

 tion of glass. 1877. 



A. peruviana (Peruvian). Synonymous with A. versicolor. 



A. psittacina (parrot-like).* ft. bright crimson at the base, 

 gTeenish upwards, spotted with purple ; upper perianth segments 

 slightly hooded, hence the specific name ; umbels many-flowered ; 

 peduncles angidar. Septendier. L oblong-laneeol;"itf, acute, 

 twisted at the base. Stem erect, spotted, h. 6ft. JNlexico, 1829. 

 Hardy. 



A. p. Erembaulti (Erembault's). fl. white, spotted with 

 purple. August, h. 2ft. 1833. A beautiful but rather tender 

 hybrid. 



A. pulchella (pretty). Synonymous with A. Simsii. 



A. pulchra (fair).* St. Martin's Flower. /. in umbels of from 

 four to eight in each ; the lower perianth segments purplish 

 outside, and edges of a sulphur-white ; the upper part nf the 

 upper .segments of a fine yellow, dotted with deep red spots, the 

 lower part of a flesh colour : pedicels twisted. /. linear lanceo- 

 late. Stem erect, h. 1ft. Chili, 1822. A beautiful species, but 

 one requiring protection. SvNS. A. Fhs Martini, A. triadnr. 



A. rosea (rosy). A synonym of A. Simsii. 



A. Simsii (Sims's).* fl. brilliant yellow, with red streaks, very 

 showy ; umbels many-flowered ; peduncles two-flowered. June. 

 I. spathulate, ciliated. Stem weak. /(. 3ft. Chili, 1822. Tender 

 species. Syns. A. Hookeri, A. pulc/wUa, A. rosea. 



A. tricolor (three-coloured). A synonym of A. jmlckra. 



Fig. 68. Alstromeria versicolor, showing Habit and Flower. 



A. versicolor (various coloured).* fl. yellow, with purple marks ; 



lowest segment the broadest ; umbel of usually three shortly- 

 stalked blooms, veryfloriferous. Late summer. Mineardanceolate, 

 sessile, scattered, h. 2ft. to 4ft. Peru, 1831. This is a very robust 

 species, with several beautiful varieties, which are both easily 

 obtained and very cheap. Syn. A. peruviana. See Fig. 68. 

 A. V. niveo-marginata (snowy-margined).* fl. rose, crimson 

 and white, with green tips and black spots. I. lanceolate, stalked, 

 white-edged. 1875. A charming but scarce variety. 



AIiTERNANTHUKA (in allusion to the anthers 

 being alternately barren). Ord. AmaranthacecB. Well 

 known ornamental -leaved half-hardy plants, with incon- 

 spicuous flowers in axillary heads. Some of the under- 

 mentioned species and varieties belong, technically 

 speaking, to Telanfhera, in which genus the five stamens 

 are inseparate below, and alternate with as many sterile 

 filaments. They are so universally known in gardening 

 under the present generic name, that we have here in- 

 cluded them for convenience' sake. Where Alternantheras 

 are used in large quantities (and if they are to be used 

 effectively, a considerable number must be provided), their 

 economical propagation becomes a matter of importance. 

 A good colour can only be secured by growing them in 



