Woodwardia Xan thosoma Y^tcca . 209 



slender, stinging bodies. These are so thickly produced 

 as to give the stems a glistening appearance. W. urens 

 is another species often planted, but decidedly inferior 

 to either of the foregoing, except in power of stinging, 

 in which way it is not likely to be surpassed. 



Woodwardia. This noble genus of ferns is of 

 great and peculiar use in the subtropical garden, where 

 their broad and beautifully arching fronds make very 

 effective objects, especially when planted in a vase, on 

 the top of a stump, or small mound, a little above 

 the level of the eye. The principal species are : W. 

 orientalis, W. radicans, W. japonica, W. virginica, and 

 W. areolata. Of these W. orientalis and W. areolata 

 are hardy, and the others nearly so. They may be used 

 as effectively in the conservatory in winter as in the 

 open garden in summer. 



Xanthoso sagittaefolium. A Brazilian plant 

 with very much the habit and appearance of Caladium 

 esculentum, but not so valuable, having arrow-shaped 

 leaves, of a dark-green colour, supported on rather 

 slender stalks. Another equally handsome and large 

 species is X. violaceum, the leaves and leaf-stalks of 

 which are suffused with a delicate violet hue, slightly 

 inclining to hoariness. Positions and treatment similar 

 to those recommended for Caladium esculentum. They 

 should only be tried in the warmer parts of the country, 

 and not be placed in the open air till the beginning of 

 June. 



Yuccas. Among all the hardy plants ever introduced 

 into this country, none surpass for our present purpose 



p 



