194 Sttb tropical Gardening. 



numerous, in clusters. For the positions suited to this 

 plant see the introductory remarks on the genus. 



Solarium Quitoense. — A half-shrubby native of Peru 

 and the neighbourhood of Quito, seldom growing higher 

 than 31 ft. in cultivation. The stem is spineless, 

 covered with a soft down, and of a delicate green colour 

 suffused with violet, which exhibits iridescent changes. 

 The leaves are broad, stalked, obcordate, with toothed 

 angles, and of a fine green colour, with violet downy 

 veins. Flowers rather large, white, tinged with lilac on 

 the top when in bud, in short clusters. It requires a 

 warm position and a w r arm season to bring out its best 

 qualities. 



Solarium robustum. — A Brazilian species with a 

 vigorous much-branching stem more than 3 ft. high, and 

 furnished with very sharp and strong spines and densely- 

 set, long, reddish, viscous hairs. The leaves, which are 

 very large, are of a rich brown colour on the upper surface 

 and oval-elliptical in form, with 8 or 9 oval-acute lobes, 

 the upper ones nearly triangular ; and the midrib and 

 principal veins, which are of a brown colour, are closely 

 set with spines similar to those on the stem. The flowers 

 are white, with orange stamens, and are borne in unilateral 

 clusters. The berries are round, of a brown colour, and 

 the size of a small cherry. As a foliage-plant this is 

 a subject of considerable merit, and one of those most 

 suitable for our climate. It requires a warm sunny aspect 

 in a position which will be at the same time airy and 

 sheltered from strong winds. 



Solarium Sieglingii. — A large and handsome kind, 

 which forms a small tree about 13 ft. high after some 



