An Encyclopedia of Horticulture. 



151 



Azara — contitiited. 



They thrive well in a compost of loam, leaf soil, and sand. 

 Ripened cuttings root readily if placed in sand, under glass, 

 in slight heat. - It is helioTod that all the species enume- 

 rated will prove hardy if a slight winter protection in 

 midland and northern counties be afforded. This preoautioi: 

 will be unnecessary in more southern parts. 



A. dentata (toothed). A. yellow ; corymbs sessile, few-flowered. 



June. I. ovate, serrated, scabrous, tonientose beueath : stipules 



leafy, unequal in size. ^i. 12ft. Chili, 1830. (B. R. 1728.) 

 A. Gillesii (Gilles').* fl. bright yellow ; panicles axillary, densely 



packed. Spring, l. large. Holly-like, ovate, coarsely toothed, 



smooth, h. 16ft. ChUi, 1859. (D. M. 5178.) 



BABIAITA (from babianer, the Dutch for baboon ; in 

 reference to the bulbs being eaten by baboons). Obd. 

 IridacecE. A genus of very ornamental bulbous plants 

 confined to the Cape of Good Hope, with the exception of a 

 single species, which is found in Socotra. Flowers occa- 

 sionally fragrant, and generally characterised by their rich 

 self-colours, or the striking contrast of very distinct hues in 

 the same flower ; perianth regular and symmetrical, with six 

 ovate divisions (tube varying in length). Stems from 6in. 

 to 9in. high, arising from a small bulb-like corm, and bear- 

 ing tapering plaited leaves, which are usnaUy more or less 

 densely covered with long hairs ; the scapes are racemose. 



Fig. 199. Azara microphylla, showing Habit, and Foliage (hall natural size). 



A. Integrlfolla (entire-leaved).* Jl. yellow, on numerous short 

 axillary spikes, of an aromatic fragrance. Autumn. /. obovate or 

 oblong, entire, smooth ; stipules equal, permanent, h. 18ft. Chili 

 (about Conception), 1832. The variegated -leaved form, although 

 rare, is very ornamental. The variegation consists of greenish- 

 yellow, with a blotch of dark green, and in a young state edged 

 with deep pink. 



A* microphylla (small-leaved).* Jl. greenish, corymbose, suc- 

 ceeded by numerous small orange-coloured berries. Autumn. 

 I. small, distichous, obovate, obtuse, dark-shining green, h. 12ft. 

 Chiloe and VaMavia, 1873. This shrub is very ornamental as a 

 standard, and also excellent for covering walls. Quite hardy. 

 See Fig. 199, for which we are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and 

 Sons. 



each bearing about six or more simultaneously expanding 

 flowers. They may be successfully grown in pots. By this 

 plan there is, perhaps, less danger of loss, and their flower- 

 ing season can be prolonged considerably. A light sandy 

 compost, with a small proportion of well-decayed manure, 

 is required, and thorough drainage is also most essential. 

 Use 48 or 60-sized pots, placing four or five oorms in the 

 former, and two or three in the latter, and keep moderately 

 dry until they commence to form roots. October is the 

 best time to pot. As soon as the plants appear above 

 ground, water may be carefully given, and the supply pro- 



