An Encyclopedia of Horticulture. 



85 



The arrangement of flowers on an 



ANTHOTAXIS. 



inflorescence. 



ANTHOXANTHUM (from anfhos, a flower, and 

 xanthus, yellow). Spring Grass. Calyx of two valves, 

 glumaceous, one-flowered ; corolla donble, each of two 

 valves : the exterior awned ; the interior small, awnless : 

 stamens two, not three, as is usually the case with grasses. 

 Ord. Graminece. A pretty native hardy perennial, of 

 easy culture in common garden soil. 



Fig. 107. Anihoxantuum odoeatum. 



A. odoratum (sweet), fl. panicle spiked, oblong, dense, becoming 

 dullish yellow. I. short, pale green, h. lit. The pleasant 

 smell of new-made Hay is cliieHy owing to this plant, which in 

 drying emits an odour similar to that of Asperula odorata. See 

 Fig. 107. 



ANTHUItinM (from anthos, a flower, and oiira, a 

 tail ; referring to the inflorescence). Ord. Aroidew. Flowers 

 densely disposed on a cylindrical spjidix, at the base of which 

 is a large bract-like spathe, that ultimately bends back- 

 wards. Leaves of various shapes. This very large genua of 

 handsome stove and greenhouse plants is remarkable both 

 for the peculiar inflorescence and often noble leaves, and is 

 distinguished in structure from all the European members 

 of the order in the flowers being hermaphrodite. Fibry 

 peat, loam, sphagnum, broken crocks, or charcoal, and 

 silver sand, form the most suitable compost. In preparing 

 the peat, it should be broken up into small lumps, and then 

 have most of the earthy matter knocked out of it by giving 

 it a few raps with a stick, or by shaking it about in a sieve. 

 To this, after so treated, add about one-fourth its bulk of 

 sphagnum, and about half its bulk of fibrous loam, and 

 just a sprinkling of fresh broken crocks, or small pieces of 

 charcoal and sharp silver sand. In placing them in 

 the pots — which must be well drained — carefully spread 

 out the roots and work the mixture among them, keep- 

 ing the plant well up, so that when finished it stands 



Antkurium — continued. 

 clear above the rim of the pot at least 2in. or 3in., and 

 forms a kind of mound or hillock. They must then be 

 kept freely syi-inged or watered, and placed in a moist 

 atmosphere, where they can enjoy a temperature ranging 

 between 60deg. and 70deg., or a few degrees lower for 

 the less tender species. Raising plants from seed requires 

 patience. About a year elapses from the time the flowers 

 are fertilised — which should be done artificially — before the 

 seed ripens, and often another to get up plants. Sow as 

 soon as ripe in shallow, well-drained pans or pots, filled 

 with the potting mixture, and cover slightly, and place in a 

 close, moist propagating case, where a temperature of from 

 75deg. to 85deg. is maintained, or they may be covered 

 with bell glasses. The principal thing is to keep the 

 air about them constantly humid, and the material in 

 which they are sown in a uniformly moist condition ; 

 if this is done, the young seedlings will make their appear- 

 ance in due course. When these are of sufficient 

 size to handle, they should be pricked off in the same 

 sort of compost, and be kept close and moist till they 

 get a start, after which gradually inure them to more air. 

 January is the best month of the year wherein to propagate 

 these plants by divisions. This is done by carefully turn- 

 ing them out of their pots and shaking out what soil 

 they have amongst their roots, which must be tenderly 

 dealt with, so as not to bruise or injure them. 

 This done, they may then be pulled apart, and as many 

 plants made as there are separate crowns, or the mass may 

 be simply halved or quartered, according to the stock re- 

 quired. Treat now as recommended above for potting. 

 They are all moisture-loving plants, and must have a 

 copious supply of water at all times, although, of course, 

 much less during the winter than spring and summer 

 months. There is no season of the year when they can 

 be handled for any pui-pose with less risk or cheek than 

 January. A moderate moist stove heat is advisable for 

 them generally. The species enumerated are selected from 

 nearly 150, and will be found to be a very representative 

 collection. See also Spathiphyllum. 



A. acaule (^stemles-s).* ji., spadix bhie in a young state, 

 borne on lou^ footstalks, sweetly scented. Spring. I. broad, 

 oblong, acuminate, 1ft. to 3ft. in length, erect, arranged in a 

 rosulate manner, dark shining gTeen on the upper surface, some- 

 what paler beneath. West Indies, 1853. A noble species. 



ANTUUllIUM ANDBEANUM. 



A> Andreanum (Andre's).* jt., spadix about Sin. long, yellowish, 

 with a broad central band of wliite ; spathe open, cordate-ovate, 

 orange red, leathery, 5hi. to 4in. across, and 6iu. to Sin. long ; 

 surface irregularly cnn ngated. I. ovate-lanceolate, deeply cor- 

 date, green. Columbia, 1876. A very beautifiU species. See 

 Fig. 108. 



A. BaUeri (Baker's).* fi., spathe small, gxeen, refiexed; the 

 spadix, wherein lies the plant's principal beauty, exhibits a lovely 



