IN FLORIDA 183 



probably even greater difference than this in our region so that 

 our hammocks are finely adapted to these plants. They may be 

 fastened to trees in the same way as recommended for Orchids. 

 Water should be kept out of the leaf bases of most of the Brom- 

 eliads until they are established. 



Aechmea. About sixty species of plants from Tropical Amer- 

 ica belonging to the Bromeliads or Pineapple family. A.fulgens 

 is a superb plant of which I have a fine example ; its broad leaves 

 end abruptly; they are purplish green above and purple below 

 and in summer bear heads of coral red calyces with blue corollas, 

 A. mariae-reginae has broad green leaves; the scape is clothed 

 with pink bracts and the flowers are blue tipped but change to 

 crimson. 



Aeschynanthus. Tropical plants, mostly epiphytes, often 

 climbing and bearing brilliant small flowers. A. grandiflorus is 

 doing well for me. 



Anthurium. Some of these are more or less epiphytic and can 

 be grown on the trunks of trees in damp hammocks or the walls 

 of fern pools. 



Begonias. A number of these grow on moist, rocky walls in 

 tropical forests. 



Billbergia. A large tropical genus, several species of which are 

 luxuriating on my trees. B. nutans has drooping flowers, sepals 

 reddish, petals yellowish green, both with blue margins, blooming 

 at intervals through the year. I have other unnamed species. 



Camguata lingulata, Heart of Fire. The leaves are pale, 

 grayish green when the plant is at rest but when the flower stem 

 springs up they turn a brilliant red until the season of blooming 

 is over, then becoming green again. 



Cryptanihus zonatus. A prettily variegated plant, the leaves 

 being reddish green barred with silvery bands and silvery below. 

 C. acaulis has undulated leaves which are greenish red with 

 two longitudinal paler stripes, the whole with metallic shadings, 

 a very beautiful plant. 



Epiphyllum truncatum is a well-known window and conserv- 

 atory plant in the north, where it is called Crab's Claw and 

 Christmas Cactus. Here it thrives on trees in the hammock. 



