190 



The Dictionary of Gardening, 



Billardiera — continued. 



free-growiiiK ami profuse-flowering species. SVN. B. ovalis. Sen 



Kig. 251. (B. M. 1507.) 



Fig. 251. Fruiting portion of Billardiera loxgiflora. 



B, mutabilis (changeable). A synonym of B. scandeni. 

 B. ovalis (iival-leaved). A synonym of B. longifiora. 

 B. scandens (climbing).* fl. cream-coloured, at length purpli.sh, 

 .solidary ; pedicels .same length as the flower. June to September. 

 I. lanceoI:ite-linear, entire. Branches, when young, villous. New 

 lIollaTul, 1795. .SVN.>4. /;. mulatiilus, B. angusti/olia. (B. M. 1313.) 

 BIIiIiBEBGIA (named after J. G. Billberff, a Swedish 

 botanist). Ord. Bromeliacem. A genus of handsome stove 

 plants. Flowers bome on lig-ht panicles ; calyx three- 

 parted ; corolla of three convolute petals, scaly at the base ; 

 stamens inserted into the base of the perianth. Leaves 

 harsh, rigid. These require much the same treatment as 

 recommended for Mchmea. The most suitable soil is a 

 mixture of peat, leaf soil, and loam in about equal parts, 

 to which is added some sharp sand, to keep it open and 

 porous. Free and perfect drainag-e is absolutely neces- 

 sary for the successful culture of this class of plants, and 

 a layer of moss shoiJd be placed over the crooks previous 

 to filling the pots with soil. Although fond of heat, 

 BUlbergias will, when in flower, bear removal to a cooler 

 house than a stove; and, if they are kept a little dry at 

 the same time, the change wiU greatly prolong their 

 blooming period. The stronger growing kinds thrive well 

 in rich, well-drained loam and leaf mould. Propagation 

 is effected by carefully taking off the suckers which 

 form at the base, after the plants have done flowering ; 

 but, before doing this, they should be allowed to attain 

 a good size. The suckers grow quickly when attached to 

 the parent stem, from which they derive theii' strength, 

 and feel the check less when severed ; besides which, they 

 become more mature, and are in better condition for root- 

 ing. The best method to adopt is as follows : Take the 

 sucker in the hand and gently tvrist it off the stem ; next 

 trim the base by the removal of a few of the lower 

 leaves, and then insert each sucker separately in a small 

 pot, in sharp soU. A bottom heat of about 80deg. 

 win greatly facilitate new root-growth ; failing this, 

 they will root freely in the temperature of a stove if 

 placed in a shaded position for two or three weeks, 

 after which they will bear increased light and sunshine 

 during the later part the day. See also iEchmea and 

 Amdrolepia. 



Billber^ia — continued. 



B. atnoona (plea.sing). fi. greenish-white, tipped with blue, 

 IcKiscIy pauicled ; Iiracts rose-coloured. .July to wiiitr-r. I. ligu- 

 lati', ahruptly acuminate, slightly spiny. It. 2ft. Hrazil, 1817. 

 (li. 11.311.) 



B. Baraquiniana (Baraquiu's).* fi. green ; spikes long, the 

 upper portion pendulous, Ijearing four or five largo, obloug-lauceo- 

 latc. bright sciirlet bracts at the base of the flowers ; the stem 

 above the bracts is hoary white. Early spring. I. ligulate, taper- 

 ing to a point, where, as well a-s at the edges, tlit.'y are armed with 

 sh.arp reddish spines, arched, transversely vuriegated with white 

 scurfy bars. A. IJft. Brazil, 1855. (I. H. 1864, 421.) 



B. chlorosticta (gTcen-spotted). Synonymous with B. Smimicrsn. 



B. Iridifolia (Iris-leaved).* fi. red and yellow, tipped with blue, 

 in drooping spikes ; rachis and bracts crimson. March. L lanceo- 

 Kite, ensiform, l.Jft., grey beneath. A. 1ft. Rio Janeiro, 1825. 

 (H. R. 1068.) 



B. Libonlana (I.ibon'.s).* fi., outer perianth segnients beautiful 

 coral rod, iibout half as lon^ as the inner ones, which are whitish 

 at the base, and a splendid purple upwards. Winter. I. in a 

 dense rosette. A. 1ft. Brazil, 1868. (B. M. 5090.) 



B. Ifietzei (Lietz's).* fi. in loose terminal racemes, each sub- 

 tended by lanceolate pink bracts ; sepals rosy pink, half as long 

 as the greenish corolla. I. tufted, ligulate, acute ; margin spiny. 

 Brazil, 1881. A double-flowered variety, with petaloid stamens, 

 is mentioned by M. Morren, which is interesting in being the 

 first double-flowered Bromeliad yet recorded. (B. H. 1881, 97.) 



B. marmorata (marbled).* /. deep blue ; calyces green, tipped 

 with blue ; bracts very large, leafy, oblong, bright scarlet ; panicles 

 erect, branched, much longer than the leaves. I. broadly ligulate, 

 sheathing at the base, truncate-mucronate at the apex ; edges 

 very regularly toothed, deep green, freely blotched and barred 

 with dull reddish-brown. (I. H. 2, 48.) 



B. Moreli (Morel's).* fi., sepals red, densely woolly, less than 

 half as long as the purplish-violet petals ; spike dense, drooping ; 

 bracts large, deep rosy red, much longer than the solitary sessile 

 flowers. February. I. arching, lanceolate, shining green on both 

 surfaces ; niargimil spines few and weak. h. 1ft. Brazil, 1848. 

 An excellent b.asket plant. SVN. B. Moreliana. (B. H. 1873, 1, 2.) 



B. Moreliana (Morel's). Synonymous with B. M&reli. 



Flowf.rs of Billbergia nutans. 



B. nntans (nodding), fi., sepals reddish ; petals yellowish-green, 

 both with a blue margin ; scapes slender, nodding, with a few 

 large rosy bracts, terminating in a short drooping spike. Winter. 

 I. numerous, long, narrow, ensiform, remotely spiny. A. IJft. 

 Brazil, 1868. See Fig. 252. (B. M. 6423.) 



B. pallescens (pallid). /. greenish-white ; ovary deeply grooved ; 

 spike pendulous ; bracts lanceolate, of a beautiful rose-pink. 

 Winter. I. dark green, and spotted on the upper surface, paler 



