144 



The Dictionary of Gardening, 



Atra^ene — continued. 



leaflets stalked, cordate, lanceolate, acuminated, entire or some- 

 what lobed, or serrated. North America, 1797. .SvN. Clematis 

 verticUlarin, 



A. austrlaca (.\ustrian). .Synonymous with A alpina. 



A. macropetala (large-petaled).* /. hlue. Manchuria, 1870. 



A. sibirica (.siljcrian). Synonymous with A. alpina. 



ATRIFLEX (from a, not, and traphein, to nouriBh). 



Oracli. Ord. Chemtpodiarem. A genus of, for tho mo.st 



part, uninteresting weeds, of very varialjle form and haliit, 



and liaving tlio calyx, whiuli encloses tho fruit, eiJarging 



after flowering. For culture, xee Orach. 



A. hortensis (sarden). An annual species from Tartary, of no 

 value as an ornamental plant, lint cunsiik-recl a very desirable 

 substitute for spinach. The leaves must be sjathered for use when 

 younR. The variety A. h. alrd-.-iuiitjuinca \s a very pretty 

 form, bavins handsome crimson leaves', and ((I'owing to a height 

 of about 4ft. It is well worth growing with such plants a-s 

 Amaranlhits, Ac. 



ATROFA (name of mythological origin). Belladonna; 

 Dwale. Okd. Solnnacew. A small genus, having a cam- 

 panulate regular eoroUa, and a leafy persistent calyx. The 

 berries of tliis native herbaceous perennial are exceed- 

 ingly poisonous. The plant is of no horticultural value. 



Fio. 190. Flower op Atrop.4 Belladonna. 

 A. Belladonna. Ji. gi'een and purple, solitary, pedunculate, 

 drooping. Sununer. Berries about the size of a small cherry. 

 I. ovate, acuminate, tin. to Sin. long. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Britain. 

 See Fig. 190. 



ATTAIiEA (from nHaJus, magnificent ; referring to the 

 beauty of the genus). Okd. Palmaceae. A genus of hand- 

 some stove palm trees, distinguished from other genera in 

 having the pinnaj arranged vertically, and not horizontally. 

 The leaves spring up almost perpendicularly at the base, 

 but in the upper part arch over. The piimaj stand at right 

 angles to the rachi-s — which is very narrow in proportion to 

 its thickness — and while those of the lower side of the arch 

 hang straight down, those of the upper side point straight 

 up. They thrive well in a mixture of peat and loam in 

 equal quantities, and enjoy a copious supply of water. 

 Summer temperature, 65deg. to 80deg. ; winter, 55deg. to 

 60deg. All the species are robust trees ; but, although 

 several have been introduced, few appear to be generally 

 grown. 



A. amygdalina (Almond-fruited).* I. pinnate, 3ft. to 6ft. long ; 

 pinn.T? 12in. to 18m. long, and about lin. broad ; terminal lobe 

 broad and bifid, rich dark gi-een. Stem slender. New Grenada. 

 One of the best. SvN. A. nuci/era. 

 A. Cohune (Cohune).* I. erect, ultiniatclv spreading, pinnate, 

 furnished with from three to four dozrn dark gi-een pinna?, some- 

 times 18in. in length ; petioles rounded, and dark brown below, 

 flat and green npon the upper side. Plant unarmed, h. 50ft. or 

 more in its native habitat. Honduras. 

 A. compta (decked), h. 22ft. Br.azil, 1820. 

 A. excelsa (tall).* A. 70ft. Brazil, 1826. 



A. ftanifera (rope-bearing). The Piassaba Palm. ;. vivid deep 

 gTeen, very oriiainenfcd, and of econondc value in Brazil. 1824 

 The sheathnig bases of the leafstalks .sei.arate into a coarse black 

 frmge, whicli is collected and exported to Europe, being used in 

 the manufacture of brooms, brushes, &c. 

 A. nuclfera (nnt-bearing). A synonym of A. amygdalina. 

 A. speciosa (showy).* h. 70ft. Brazil, 1825. 

 A. spectabilis (remarkable). U. 70ft. Brazil, 1824. 



ATTENUATED. Tapering gradually to a point. 

 AUBEKGIITE, or EGG PLANT (Sulannm melon- 

 gena, variety ui-iijerwm). These plants, besides being use- 

 ful for culinary purposes, are very ornamental, and present 

 an attractive appearance on walls or trellises, or in the 

 flower garden ; and, as they do well in any ordinary rich 

 garden soil, if the position is warm, they give a good 

 variation to the general run of plants used for decorative 



Aubergine — continued. 

 effects. The Black-fruited kind is particularly suited for 

 this purpose. Sow the seeds in a gentle heat, in the 

 middle of April. As soon as tho seedlings are large enough 

 to handle, prick off into 4in. pots, replacing in heat till tiioy 

 root out freely. Gradually harden off by June, and then 

 transfer to the positions where they are to grow. Let 

 the plants be at least 2ft. apart, and place a strong stick to 

 each one to support the fruit when it comes. For trellises, 

 select the more moderate-sized varieties. In hot, dry 



Fig. 191. l-'iti him, iiuanch of Round Aubergine. 

 weather, the application o£ liberal supplies of liquid manure 

 tends to increase the size of the fruit, and also to make the 

 foliage more vigorous and handsome. Where very largo 

 fruit are needed for show or other purposes, it is well to 

 remove all but the best one on the plant, and, by careful 

 feeding with liquid manure, specimens of from 101b. to 121b. 

 weight can be had. The foliage should not be pinched, as 



Fig. 192. Fruiting Branch of Long Aubergine. 

 this would prevent the free swelling of the fruit. Auber- 

 gines are not so much grown in England for culinary 

 purposes as in France and Italy, where they are largely 

 used in stews and .soups. The following are the most 

 desirable varieties: New York Purple, the largest kind 

 grown, and although not as ornamental as the next, is quite 

 as useful ; Black-fruited, large black fruit, with blackish 

 violet leaves ; and White-fruited, the sort most generally 

 cultivated. See Figs. 191 and 192. 



