DECORATIVE PLANTS 33 



To avoid errors in ordering plants from dealers, the 

 scientific name should be used if the plant is so desig- 

 nated in the lists. 



In descriptions of plants the names of parts of flowers 

 are frequently given. The single geranium is a good 

 plant to use as a type. The flower is formed by alter- 

 nating whorls, or cycles, of modified leaves. The outer 

 whorl is the calyx. Each of the five separate parts of 

 the calyx is known as a sepal. Inside the calyx is the 

 corolla, consisting of five parts, each of which is 

 known as a petal. The corolla incloses the stamens, the 

 fertilizing organs of the flower. In the center of the 

 flower is the seed-bearing orgao, or pistil. In some 

 geraniums there are several whorls of the corolla, and 

 such flowers are known as double flowers. 



THE ASPIDISTRA 



The aspidistra is the hardiest of all plants for house 

 decoration and is well adapted to north windows or to 

 corners where there is little or no direct sunlight. The 

 leaves are strap-shaped or lanceolate, and the color is deep 

 green or variegated. The arching habit of the leaves 

 makes the plant attractive when placed on a small stand. 

 After it has become of suitable size, it may be kept in a 

 corner of a room in a six-inch pot for three or four years 

 without being repotted. During July and August it 

 should be kept on a porch or under a shade tree where 

 it will have direct sunlight during a part of the day. 



