AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



21 



Actaea continued. 

 A. S. rubra (redX* This differs from the type in baring bright 



red berries, which are disposed in dense clusters on spikes 



OYertopping the foliage. North America. A Tery handsome 



hardy perennial. 



ACTINELLA (from aktin, a ray ; small rayed). STN. 

 Pt<rradma. OBD. Composite. A small genus of hardy 

 herbaceous plants, having radiate capitnles. The only 

 species worth cultivating is A. grandiflora. It thrives in 

 an open border with a light soil. Increased by divisions 

 of the root in spring. 

 A. grandiflora (large-flowered).* fl.-heads yellow, large, and 



handsome, Sin. in diameter. Summer, h. 6in. to 9in. Colorado. 



A very pretty branched perennial, suitable for the alpine garden. 

 A. lanata (woolly). See Eriophyllum caespitosum. 



ACTINIDIA (from alctin, a ray ; the styles radiate like 

 the spokes of a wheel). STN. Trochostigma. OBD. Ternstrce- 

 miaceae. A genus of ornamental hardy deciduous climbing 

 shrubs, with axillary corymbs of flowers ; sepals and petals 

 imbricate. Leaves entire. The species are well suited for 

 trellis-work or walls, and thrive in a light rich soil. In- 

 creased by seeds, layers, or cuttings ; the latter should be 

 inserted under a hand b'ght in autumn, in sandy soil. 



Actiniopteris continued. 



moist atmosphere is also essential, and the plants may be 

 syringed two or three times a day. A mean summer 

 temperature of 78deg. to SOdeg., with a night one of not 

 less than 65deg., is desirable. In winter, a mean tem- 

 perature of about 73deg., and a night one of not less 

 than 60deg., should be maintained. 



A. radiata (rayed).* Hi. densely tufted, 2in. to 6in. long, frond* 

 fan shaped, lin. to liin. each way, composed of numerous dichoto- 

 mous segments, half line broad, those of the fertile frond longer 

 than those of the barren one. India, <tc. (very widely dis- 

 tributed), 1869. In form this elegant little species is a perfect 

 miniature of the Fan Palm, Latania borboniea. 

 A. r. australis (southern).* fronds, segments fewer, larger, 

 and subulate at the point. Plant much larger and more rigorous. 



ACTINOCARPUS (from aktin, a ray, and karpct, 

 fruit ; referring to the curiously radiated fruit, resembling 

 a star fish). ORD. Alismaceae. Pretty little aquatic pe- 

 rennials, with habit and inflorescence of Alisma. Carpels 

 six to eight, connate at base, spreading horizontally. Ex- 

 cellent for naturalising in bogs and pools. Increased by 

 seeds and divisions during spring 

 A. Damasoninm (Damasonium). Ray Pod. JL white. Tery 



FIG. 24. ACTIMDU VOLUBILIS. 



A. Kolomlkta (Kolomikta).* JL white, solitary, axillary, or 

 cymose, iin. in diameter ; peduncles about iin. long. Summer. 

 I. ovate-oblong, petiolate, rounded or sub-cordate at the base, and 

 tapering into a long point, serrate ; the autumnal tints are very 

 handsome, changing to white and red. N. E. Asia, 1880. Rarely 

 met with. 



A. polygama (polygamous). JL white, fragrant _ Summer. I cor- 

 date, sfrrate, petiolate. Japan, 1870. The bemes of this species 

 are edible. 



A. volubilis (twining).* JL white, smalL June. L oval on 

 flowering branches, elliptic on climbing stems. Japan, 1874. A 

 very free growing species. See Fig. 24. 



ACTINIOPTERIS (from alctin, a ray, and pteris, a 

 fern ; the fronds are radiately cut into narrow segments). 

 OED. FHices. Sori linear-elongated, sub - marginal ; invo- 

 lucres (= indusia) the same shape as the sorus, folded over 

 it, placed one on each side of the narrow segments of the 

 frond, opening towards the midrib. A small genus of 

 beautiful and distinct stove ferns. They thrive in a com- 

 post of equal parts crocks and charcoal, about the size of 

 peas, which must be mixed with silver sand and a very 

 small portion of loam and peat. About half the pot should 

 be filled with crocks, perfect drainage being necessary. A 



delicate ; each petal has a yellow spot at the base ; scapes with 

 a terminal umbel. June. L radical, on long petioles, some- 

 times floating, elliptical, five-nerved. A native aquatic. The 

 proper name of this plant is Damatonium sUUatum. 

 A. minor (smaller).* This greenhouse species, also with white 

 flowers, from New South Wales, is smaller. 

 ACTINOMERIS (from aktin, a ray, and meris, a 

 part; referring to the radiated aspect of the plants). 

 STN. Pterophyton. OBD. Composites. A small genus of 

 herbaceous perennials allied to Helianthus, but with com- 

 pressed and winged achenes. Flower-heads corymbose, 

 Coreopsis-like. Leaves ovate or lanceolate, serrate. They 

 are hardy, ornamental plants, and of easy cultivation, in 

 a loamy soil Increased in spring, by seeds and division 

 of the roots, on a warm border, with or without hand 

 lights, or in cold frames. With the exception of A. HeUan- 

 thoides, they are but little known in this country. 

 A. alata (wing-stalked). JL-keadt yellow. July. k. 3ft America. 



A. helian thoides (Sunflower-like).* tL-headi yellow, 2in. across, 



July to September. A. 3ft. S. America, 1825. 

 A, proeera (tall).* JL-headt yellow. September. A. 8ft. N. 



America, 1766. 



