AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



Alisma continued. 



those at the base of the plant are long, linear-lanceolate, mem- 

 branous scales, or abortive root leaves. North Wales and Cum- 

 berland, but very rare ; abundant in other parts of Europe. See 

 Fig. 56. 



A. Plantago (plantain).* fl. delicate pale rose coloured ; scape 

 branched upwards. July. I. ovate, acute, all radical, on long 

 stalks ; branches all whorled, bracteated, compound, h. 2ft. to 

 3ft Britain. A very handsome aquatic for naturalising, isee 

 Fig. 57. 



Fio. 57. PORTION OP INFLORESCENCE OF ALISMA PLAXTAGO. 



A. P. lanceolate (lance-shaped leaved), fl. pure white. July. 



I. lanceolate. Britain. 

 A. ranunculoldea(Ranunculus-like). In general appearance very 



like the last named species, but smaller. Britain. 



ALISMACE.E. A small order of aquatic or marsh 

 plants, with three-petaled flowers, on leafless scapes, and 

 simple radical leaves. The genera best known are Alisma 

 and Sagittaria. 



ALKANET. See Anchusa tinctoria. 



ALLAMANDA (named in memory of Dr. AUamand, 

 of Leyden, who first communicated seeds of this genus to 

 Linnaeus). OBD. Apocynacece. Elegant climbing ever- 

 green stove plants. Peduncles terminal and many-flowered ; 

 corolla funnel-shaped, with a narrow tube, gamopetalons, 

 large, inflated, five-cleft at the apex. Leaves verticillate. 

 This genus differs from all others of the same order, in the 

 figure of the corolla. Of comparatively easy culture. To 

 obtain their beauty of foliage and flowers, the shoots 

 should be tied to wires placed within Sin. or 9in. of the 

 glass that forms the roof of the structure in which the 

 plants are growing. Trained in this way, and the shoots 

 allowed to ramble in a somewhat natural manner, the effect, 

 when the plants are in flower, is grander and more pleasing 

 in every respect than when the shoots are tied to a formal 



Allam.an da continue d. 



trellis, of whatever shape. When thoroughly established, 

 they succeed admirably in a compost of three parts good 

 fibry loam, and one part wood charcoal or coarse river 

 sand, with some rotten cow manure added. When potting 

 the plants, make the fresh compost firm round the old 

 balls of soil, and do not fill the pots too full ; leave 

 room for plenty of water, as, when in active growth, they 

 require a liberal daily supply. They must be pruned 

 annually in January or February, cutting the previous 

 year's shoots back to within a joint or two of the old wood. 

 Allamandas should be exposed to the light as much as pos- 

 sible at all seasons of the year. In winter months they 

 require but little water, but the drainage must always be 

 perfect. They are remarkably free from insect attacks of 

 any kind. It may be also observed that the temperature 

 should never fall below 55deg. This genus is easily pro- 

 pagated by cuttings, which will root at any time of the 

 year in a bottom heat of from VOdeg. to SOdeg. The usual 

 time is, however, in spring, when the old plants are pruned 

 back. Choose the tops of the shoots, retaining two or 

 three joints to each cutting; place these in a compost 

 of sand and peat or leaf mould in equal proportions, 

 singly, in small pots. Press the soil firmly around 

 each cutting, and, when all are inserted, give a good 

 watering, and plunge the pots in the propagating bed. 

 Attend to shading and watering, and in about three 

 weeks' time they will have emitted roots, and started to 

 grow at the tops. The pots should now be raised out of 

 the plunging material, and placed upon the surface thereof, 

 and there allowed to remain two or three weeks longer ; 

 when the young roots will have, by this time, filled the 

 little pots, and a shift into the larger ones will be necessary. 

 Return the plants to the propagating bed, but do not 

 plunge them therein. As soon as it is certain that the roots 

 have commenced growth in the fresh soil, pinch the point 

 of each plant that is intended to be grown on a trellis. This 

 will cause the remaining buds to push out fresh shoots ; 

 and these, as soon as they have made two joints or 

 whorls of leaves each, should have their points pinched out 

 also. By repotting the plants as often as they fill their 

 pots 0Ith roots during the first season of their growth, and 

 pinching the points out of the shoots twice or thrice in the 

 same time, a good foundation will be formed, from which 

 the future specimens will spring. In the case of plants 

 intended to be trained up rafters or pillars, they should 

 not hav^their points pinched out until they attain to the 

 height iBere it is desirable' they should have more than 

 one shoot, and be repotted as recommended above, for 

 the first year; but, after that, they will require to be 

 repotted only once a year, and this should be done soon 

 after the buds have started to grow afresh in the 

 spring. 



A. Aubletli (Aublet's).* fl. yellow, large. June. I. four to five 

 in a whorl, broad-oblong, acuminated, rather hairy beneath. 

 Guiana, 1848. 



A. cathartica (purging).* ft. yellow, large. June. I. four in a 

 whorl, obovate, obtuse, acutish, with sub-undulated edges, gla- 

 brous. Guiana, 1785. SYN. A. Linnaei. 



A. chelsoni (Chelsea).* /. yellow, large. Summer. This splendid 

 plant is least suited of any for trellis training, from its wood 

 being stitfer and harder, and is therefore best for the roof 

 of a house ; it is one of the best kinds for cutting. Garden 

 hybrid. 

 A. grandiflora (large-flowered).* fl. distinct pale yellow, rather 



large, very free blossomer. June. Brazil," 1844. 

 A. Linncei (Linnseus's). Synonymous with A. cathartica. 

 A. neriifolia (Oleander-leaved).* fl. deep golden yellow, elegantly 

 streaked with orange, between funnel and bell shaped, the tube 

 being wide, lin. long ; panicle many-flowered. June. I. oblong, 

 on short petioles, acuminate, h. 3ft South America, 1847. Shrub 

 erect, glabrous. 



A. nobllis (noble).* fl. bright yellow, rather deeper tinted in the 

 throat, large, full circular form, but without streaks or any other 

 markings. July. I. in whorls of four or of three, tapered to the 

 base, sessile, oblong, abruptly acuminate, membranous, hairy 

 on both surfaces, especially beneath and on the midrib. Brazil, 

 1867. One of the best species. 



