io8 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



MUCUNA 



Tropical Leguminosae, with showy purple, red, or 

 greenish-yellow flowers in axillary racemes, most of the 

 species being tall, twining shrubs. Several are in cultiva- 

 tion, but they are rarely met with except in botanic 

 gardens. The pods of M. pruriens and M. prurita are 

 densely covered with short, intensely irritant hairs, hence 

 their name of Cow-itch or Cow-age. M. utilis is known as 

 the Velvet Bean. M. imbricata has great, drooping racemes 

 of large, blackish -purple flowers, like bunches of black 

 grapes. Mucunas require to be planted out in good loam, 

 in a warm house, and trained near the glass. Propagation 

 by seeds, or cuttings of half-ripened young wood. 



MUEHLENBECKIA 



M. complexa is a semi-hardy climber from New Zealand, 

 with thin, wiry stems, which form a dense interlacing 

 mass, small roundish leaves, and green, inconspicuous 

 flowers. It requires a sunny position in well-drained or 

 sandy soil, and can be planted to clothe a pillar or as a 

 trailer in the rock garden. M. adpressa^ from Australia, 

 has larger, heart-shaped leaves and long racemes of whitish 

 flowers. Both can be cultivated in a cool greenhouse ; 

 they require slight protection in cold winters if outdoors. 

 Propagation by cuttings in early summer. 



MUTISIA 



Climbing South American Compositae, chiefly known to 

 gardeners because a few of the species are semi-hardy in 



