INTRODUCED PLANTS AND ANLMALS. 251 



from tliere the single species with three well-marked varieties have been dis- 

 triljiited all over the world to be developed into more than a hundred cultivated 

 forms and sub-varieties. While most of the forms have been given names, the 

 practice among botanists is to I'egard thciu iill as belonging to one species.^-^ A 

 majority of the best known forms may be found growing in Honolulu gardens. 



These beautiful plants, with their many forms of odd and handsome foliage 

 of the most brilliant coloring, are to be seen in profusion everywhere. The colors 

 range from almost pure white to light and deep yellow, orange-pink, red-crimson, 

 and all these joined in the most remarkable combinations. In some eases one 

 color predominates, in others every possible combination is represented. But a 

 close study of the form of the leaves will demonstrate that three principal types 

 exist, namely, those with ovate, short-stalked leaves, those with narrow and 

 spatulate leaves, and those with narrow and often cork-screw twisted leaves. 

 Planted in clumps and masses the efl'ect produced by the combination of their 

 rich colors is charming. riiev are often used to advantage as hedges and are 

 made in one way or another to give color to almost every lawn. 



The garden varieties of Coleus are also a legion, and many of them or their 

 near generic relatives thrive in the city and occasionally escape, as on Hawaii, 

 into the wooded stretches along the roads and lanes. A very de'ep-red, large- 

 leafed foliage plant of this family is in general favor. It is planted in rows to 

 form hedges about gardens and is wonderfidly varigated in foliage. 



Hedge Plants. 



The hedge jdant that is most conspicuous and, happily, the mo,st com- 

 mon in Hawaii is the Hibiscus. (_)f this splendid shrub about six forms and in- 

 numerable varieties are in general cultivation. Of the common varieties, miles 

 and miles of hedges have been made. These are among the first objects to attract 

 the attention of tourists and visitors, and one never tires of the display of blos- 

 .soms of all sizes and colors that line the street. There are at least four native 

 species, two or more of which have been cultivated to some extent by Hibiscus 

 enthusiasts. Slueh has been done here and elsewhere along the line of producing 

 new varieties by cross-breeding, so that every color from white, yellow, salmon 

 to deep red, in double and single blossoms, are abundant. It is to be hoped that 

 this splendid shrub may become so popular as to "be regularly adopted as the 

 ''City Flower" of Honolulu. As the hedges of scarlet and pink Hibiscus are ever 

 a delight to the eye a keen rivalry may well develop among householders in the 

 production of rare forms, since new varieties are easily produced by cross 

 pollcnization. 



Ki. 



A plant that is connuon in the mountains and is often iilanted in hedges is 

 the ki ^-^ plant, the Dracaena, or more properly the Cordyline of botanists. There 

 are several cultivated varieties, especially one with wine-red leaves that are com- 



