20 6 Subtropical Gardening. 



Uhdea pyramidata. — This kind has been less cul- 

 tivated in England than the preceding, from which it is 

 distinct in appearance. It is of a lighter and fresher 

 green, and inclined to grow larger in habit, having more 

 of the aspect of a Malva in foliage. Useful for the same 

 purposes as the preceding kind, but not so valuable. 



*Veratrum album {White Hellebore).— A handsome, 

 erect perennial of pyramidal habit, 3^ ft. to 5 ft. high, with 

 curiously plaited leaves 1 ft. long and 6 ins. to 8 ins. broad, 

 regularly alternating on the stem and overlapping each 

 other at the base. The flowers, of a yellowish -white 

 colour, are borne in numerous dense spikes on the top 

 of the stem, forming a large panicle. The leaves being 

 handsome, it is worth a place in full collections of fine- 

 foliaged hardy herbaceous plants, and would look to 

 best advantage in small groups in the rougher parts of 

 the pleasure-ground and by wood-walks. Thrives best 

 in peaty soil, and is best multiplied by division, as the 

 seed is very slow and capricious in germinating, some- 

 times not starting until the second year, and it is some 

 years before the seedlings are strong enough to flower. 

 The root of this plant is exceedingly poisonous. V. 

 nigrum differs from V. album, in having more slender 

 stems, narrower leaves, and blackish-purple flowers. V. 

 viridiflorum resembles V. album in every respect, except 

 that its flowers are of a lively green colour. France. 



*Verbascum Chaixii. — Most of us know how very 

 distinct and imposing are the larger Verbascums, and 

 those who have attempted their culture must soon have 

 found out what far-seeding things they are. Of a bien- 

 nial character, their culture is most unsatisfactory : they 



