42 PERENNIALS. \_Mctrcll. 



rentina is the orris root of the druggists. They are all 

 of easy culture in any loamy soil inclining to moisture. 

 The bulbous species will be treated of in September or 

 October, Corolla six-petalled, three erect and three re- 

 clined alternately ; proceeding from spathes or sheaths with 

 flowers in succession. 



Liatris is a genus of native plants, containing several 

 fine species, L. squarrosa, large purple heads of beautiful 

 flowers ; L. elegans ; L. paniciddta. L. macrostachya, 

 now L. spicata, is a fine large growing species. They 

 have syngenesious purple flowers in long close spikes, dif- 

 fering from other spiked flowering genera by blooming 

 first at the extremity. They grow best in strong heavy 

 soil. 



Lychnis. Three species are very desirable in the 

 flower borders. L. chalcedonica has bright scarlet crowned 

 flowers ; the double scarlet variety is splendid ; there is 

 also a double white variety ; L.fulgens and L.flos-jovis. 

 They ought to be frequently lifted, and planted afresh, or 

 they will dwindle to nothing. The best time is when they 

 begin to grow. There is a plant known in our collections 

 as Lychnis JJos-cuciili, ragged Robbin or French Pink, 

 which is now Jlgrostemma flos-cuciili; it is a fine and 

 showy border plant with double red flowers, a double white 

 variety of it has been recently introduced of the same cha- 

 racter, with the additional quality of blooming the whole 

 season. They delight in a light rich soil. 



Lythrums, A few species flower well, and have small 

 pink blossoms in great profusion, L. aldtum, L. virgdtum, 

 L. diffusum, and L. lanceolatum. They will grow in any 

 common garden soil if not too much shaded ; and flower 

 from June to September. 



Mimiilus, Monkey-flower. A few species may be cul- 

 tivated. They will grow in any soil or situation. M. lii- 

 teus and M. rivularis are the best. M. moschdtus has a 

 very strong musk scent, to many agreeable. The former 

 two have large gaping flowers, of a golden yellow, and beau- 

 tifully spotted with purple in the interior : they all grow 

 in moist situations. 



Mondrdas, a fine native genus and showy. The foliage 

 of several of the species is aromatic, and resembles mint. 

 M. didyma has long scarlet ringlet flowers, in headed 



