Datisca — Diccntra . 123 



and then it could if necessary be shifted into a larger pot 

 or small tub. 



*Datisca cannabina. — A distinct and gracefully- 

 habited herbaceous plant from 4 ft. to 6 ft. high. The 

 long stems are clothed with large and handsome pinnate 

 leaves, and the yellowish-green inflorescence appears 

 towards the end of summer. The male plant has long 

 been known as a very strong, graceful, and effective 

 herb. The female plant, however, remains green much 

 longer than the male, and when profusely laden with 

 fruit, each shoot droops and the whole plant improves in 

 aspect. It should not be forgotten in any selection of 

 hardy plants of free growth and imposing aspect. From 

 seed will probably be found the best way to raise it, and 

 then one would be pretty sure of securing plants of both 

 sexes. 



Dicksonia antarctica. — A very noble evergreen 

 tree-fern, with a stout trunk, which varies considerably in 

 thickness, and attains a height of 30 ft. or more. The 

 fronds, which form a magnificent crown 20 ft. or 30 ft. 

 across, are lance-shaped, much divided, of a shining dark 

 green on the upper surface, and paler underneath, from 

 6 ft. to 20 ft. long, beautifully arched, and becoming 

 pendulous with age. Perhaps the hardiest of tree-ferns, 

 and therefore most suitable for placing in the open air in 

 summer in sheltered shady dells, from the middle of May 

 to the beginning of October. 



*Dicentra (Dielytra) eximia. — A plant with dense 

 and very graceful foliage, far more so than any other 

 member of the order in cultivation ; and valuable as a 

 flowering plant too, as the brightly-coloured flowers 



