112 BRECK'S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



spikes of blue, purple-blue, and white or yellow flowers. 

 There are many species, all handsome perennials. 



All of them are violent poisons when taken into the 

 system, but harmless to handle. The root is more active 

 than the other parts of the plant, and has sometimes been 

 eaten by mistake, with fatal effects, and death has occurred 

 from eating the young shoots in salad. The plants are 

 used in medicine. 



Aconitum Nap^llus. "Wolfsbane, or Monkshood. Is a 

 well -known inhabitant of the garden, flowering in July 

 and August. It is increased by parting the roots, which 

 are of a tuberous character, every piece of which will 

 grow. This should be done soon after they have finished 

 flowering ; the stalks should be cut down at the same 

 time. They like shade and moisture. 



A, variegatum. Is a beautiful species, throwing up 

 spikes with branches, continuing in bloom a long time. 

 Flowers, light-blue, edged with white ; 3 feet high. 



A. Japonic-urn, from Japan, has dark-blue flowers, in 

 spikes 3 or 4 feet high ; a handsome plant. 



A* Sieboldij has large blue flowers, which are produced 

 on spikes two feet high, and one of the latest flowering. 



A. rostratUHi) is a very tall growing species, 4 or 5 feet 

 high, with dark-purple flowers on lax panicles. 



A. uncinatum, a North American species, except in fo- 

 liage resembles A. Japonicum. There are many other 

 species, all hardy and handsome. 



ACROCLINIUM. 



Acroclinium roseum, and its varieties atro-roseum and 

 album, are very pretty half-hardy annuals ; with light 

 rose, dark rose, or pure white flowers. These are a im- 



