32 LINUM LIQUIDAMBAR 



LINUM ARBOREUM, Linnaus. TREE FLAX. LINAGES. 



A low, compact, evergreen, glabrous shrub from 9 ins. to 2 ft. high, 

 more in hotter countries. Leaves of a conspicuously blue-white colour, 

 i to 2 ins. long, \ to ^ in. wide; broadest near the apex, tapering thence 

 to the base, with littfe or no stalk. Panicles erect, terminal, 3 to 6 ins. 

 long, continuing to produce flowers as they lengthen from May until July 

 or August. Flowers bright, clear yellow, ij ins. across when fully 

 expanded, but opening indifferently in dull weather and lasting in good 

 condition but one day. Petals five, each i to ij ins. long, of very 

 fragile texture. Sepals five; green, narrow -lanceolate, fine -pointed, 

 J in. long. 



This gay little shrub is a native of the eastern Mediterranean region ; 

 introduced in the eighteenth century. It is not so much grown as it 

 deserves, for when it is in flower few plants of its character are so bright. 

 It makes a neat little tuft, and although the flowers are so fugitive, they 

 are borne so freely on fine summer days that the plant is almost hidden 

 by blossom. It is hardy at Kew in all but the severest winters, but is 

 not a long-lived plant in our climate. It is very easily increased by 

 means of cuttings taken whilst the wood is comparatively soft, and 

 placed in brisk heat. Seeds are borne freely, but it helps to prolong the 

 life of the plant if they are not allowed to develop. The soil need not 

 be very rich, but as sunny a spot as possible is desirable. Even out of 

 flower its vividly glaucous foliage is pleasing. 



LIPPIA CITRIODORA, Kunth. LEMON-SCENTED VERBENA. 



VERBENAtE^E. 



(Aloysia citriodora, Orteg ; Verbena triphylla, L'Heritier, Bot. Mag., t. 367.) 



A deciduous shrub (naturally a small tree), reaching in the southern 

 parts of the British Isles 10 to 15 ft. or more in height; young shoots 

 angular. Leaves arranged in threes, very fragrant, lance-shaped ; usually 

 3 to 4 ins. long, J to f in. wide ; wedge-shaped at the base, taper-pointed, 

 not toothed ; both surfaces glandular, especially the upper one, pale 

 green ; margins set with appressed bristles. The veins are parallel, 

 springing at right angles from the midrib. Flowers numerous, small, 

 pale purple, produced in August in slender, terminal, stalked, downy 

 panicles, 3 to 5 ins. high ; corolla tubular, \ in. long, downy, as is also the 

 cylindrical, toothed calyx. 



Native of Chile; introduced in 1784. Near London this well- 

 known shrub needs the protection of a wall, and is often grown in 

 cold conservatories for the pleasant lemon-like scent of the leaves. In 

 the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands it becomes a large bush 

 without any protection. Easily increased by summer cuttings. 



LIQUIDAMBAR. HAMAMELIDACE^E. 



A small genus of trees with a remarkably scattered distribution 

 in nature ; one species being found in Asia Minor, one in Eastern 



