IN FLORIDA 173 



Curculigo recurvata is a plant whose leaves resemble those of a 

 young palm. It does well in good soil but is tender. 



Curcuma. Two or three species of this genus which have 

 flowers in close heads do well here in rich, moist ground. They 

 are probably tender. 



Cyanophyllum magnificum. A plant from tropical Mexico with 

 magnificent, large leaves which are richly colored, might grow in 

 moist hammock in the most tropical part of the state. It should 

 be tried. 



Dahlia. Reports from the northern part of the state show 

 that Dahlias do well there but further south they do not seem 

 to succeed. In this region they are occasionally cultivated in 

 rich soil. 



Daedalocanthus nervosus is a profusely blooming plant which 

 does excellently here, where it should be cut back to the base of 

 the stems when it is done flowering. All winter it bears spikes of 

 rich blue flowers in great abundance and should be well fertilized 

 to keep it in good condition. It is tender. 



Datura. Strong growing plants, often strong smelling, which 

 bear very large white, yellow or purple funnel-shaped flowers, 

 single or double. They are tender plants which ordinarily do 

 well in good moist soil, but they are subject to root knot. 



Dianthus. A crimson flowered carnation often does well here 

 but is subject to a blight which generally kills it. The Chinese 

 pinks succeed as annuals in winter. I should think that the 

 pinks would do finely in the cooler part of the state as they would 

 be hardy. 



Dieffenbachia. A genus of Aroids with superbly variegated 

 leaves, natives of Central and South America. Their juice is 

 extremely acrid and is said to produce speechlessness, and not 

 only that but swelling of the throat and burning agony for hours, 

 hence the native name "Dumb Cane." I planted a number of 

 these in the edge of my brackish swamp, confident that the land 

 crabs would not dare to touch them or if they did their careers 

 would be ended, but not the slightest injury came to them. 

 They munched my beautiful plants as cheerfully as a horse 

 would oats and even dug up and devoured the roots. They 



