IN FLORIDA 167 



winter should rest, hence it is probable that they could be grown 

 generally over the state. They like rich soil, moisture and 

 shelter. 



Agapanthus umbellatus, African Lily. A fine bulbous-rooted 

 plant from the Cape region of Africa which bears umbels of hand- 

 some blue flowers in spring and early summer. I have never 

 succeeded with it but from reports it seems to do well elsewhere 

 in the state. 



Agave, Century Plant. A large genus of striking succulents 

 wholly from the warmer parts of America. In the north they 

 are grown in pots and tubs and require many years to bloom but 

 here they often blossom at four or five years. A few such as 

 A. americana sometimes do well in sheltered places to the north 

 limit of the state while A. sisalina is quite tender. Both are 

 cultivated in lower Florida with A. salmiana, A. densiflora, A. 

 macracantha, A. filifera and others. A. victoriae-reginae is a 

 gem. The flower stems should be cut down before the bulblets 

 ripen, otherwise one's whole garden will become overrun with 

 young plants. They grow in pine and hammock land. 



Ageratum. Plants cultivated in the north as annuals for their 

 heads of blue or white flowers. Here they sometimes become 

 established in grounds and take care of themselves and are usu- 

 ally perennial. 



Alocasia. Handsome tropical Aroids which require plenty of 

 heat, shade and moisture. A. macrorhiza and its variegated 

 variety are much used in lower Florida for tropical effects, the 

 former tolerating some sun; A. cuprea has lovely dark metallic 

 leaves, rich purple beneath; A. violacea has very dark leaves 

 tinted purple; A. sanderiana has deeply lobed leaves, white bor- 

 dered and veined. They make a fine show on the walls of fern 

 pools. 



Aloe. Succulent plants of which a few species are grown in 

 Florida. Schnabel reports that they are tender at Gainesville. 

 A. vera is the most commonly grown species and like the rest 

 needs a dry, sunny situation. 



Alpinia. Plants belonging to the Ginger family, of which a 



couple of species are sometimes planted in Florida. They have 



ong, lanceolate leaves and terminal spikes of odd flowers. A. 



