58 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Alstromeria continued. 



the old eoU as ia practicable should be removed, without 

 seriously disturbing the roots, and the plants shifted into 

 larger or the same sized pots, according to their condition. 

 Alstromerias were at one time much more largely grown 

 than they are at present, and the genus was represented 

 in nearly every garden. 



PIG. 66. ALSTROMERIA AURANTIACA, showing Habit and Flower. 



ca (golden).* /. orange; two upper perianth seg- 

 ments lanceolate, streaked with red; arranged in a five to six 

 stalked umbel, bearing ten to fifteen blooms. Summer and au- 

 tumn. I. numerous, linear-elliptical, obtuse, glaucous, twisted and 

 turned back at the base, about 4Jin. long. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Chili, 

 1831. A variable but very showy species, quite hardy. See Fig. 66. 

 L caryophyllaea (clove-like scent).* fl. scarlet ; very fragrant, 

 perianth two-lipped ; peduncles longer than the involucre. 

 February and March. I. spathulate-oblong. Stem erect, h. 8m. 

 to 12in. Brazil, 1776. This stove species requires perfect rest in 

 winter. SYN. A. J,igtu. 



FIG. VI. INFLORESCENCE OF ALSTROMERIA PELEGRISA. 



A. chilensis (Chilian).* fl. blood-red or pink, large thi 

 upper interior petals longer and narrower, variegated with \ 

 lines ; in pairs on a five to six stalked umbel Summe 

 autumn. 1. scattered, obovate, spathulate upper ones lam-i 

 twisted at the base, minutely frWed on the ed^es^E 

 h. 2ft. to 3ft. Chili, 1849. Hardy. TheTe aremkny 4rietr e s 

 of this species, varying in colour from a rosy white to a 

 orange or red. 



(thickly -flowered).* fl., perianth scarlet, dotted 



Alstromeria continued. 



with black spots inside towards the base ; umbels many-flowered, 

 dense ; pedicels pubescent, rarely bracteated. I. alternate, ovate, 

 shortly acuminate, pubescent underneath. Stem climbing, gla- 

 brous. Peru, 1865. Tender species. 



A. Flos Martini (St. Martin's flower). Synonymous with 

 A. pulehra. 



A. Hooker! (Hooker's). Synonymous with A. Simsii. 



A. Ligtu (Ligtu). Synonymous with A. caryophyllcea. 



A. Pelegrina (the native name).* fl. white, or pale yellow, striped 

 with rose, and yellow spot on each segment ; pedicels one-flowered, 

 on a six or more stalked umbel. Summer. I. lanceolate, twisted at 

 the base. *. 1ft. Chili, 1754. Rather tender. See Fig. 67. 



A. p. alba (white).* Lily of the Incas. fl. white. Perhaps this 

 is the most chaste of all the Alstromerias, and more tender than 

 many others ; it should have a specially warm spot, or the protec- 

 tion of glass. 1877. 



A. peruviana (Peruvian). Synonymous with A. versicolor. 



A. psittacina (parrot-like).* fl. bright crimson at the base, 

 greenish upwards, spotted with purple ; upper perianth segments 

 slightly hooded, hence the specific name ; umbels many-flowered ; 

 peduncles angular. September. I. oblong-lanceolate, acute, 

 twisted at the base. Stem erect, spotted, h. 6ft. Mexico, 1829. 

 Hardy. 



A. p. Erembaultl (Erembault's). fl. white, spotted with 

 purple. August, h. 2ft. 1833. A beautiful but rather tender 

 hybrid. 



A. pulchella (pretty). Synonymous with A. Simsii. 



A. pulehra (fair).* St. Martin's Flower, fl. in umbels of from 



four to eight in each ; the lower perianth segments purplish 

 outside, and edges of a sulphur-white ; the upper part of the 

 upper segments of a fine yellow, dotted with deep red spots, the 



lower part of a flesh colour : pedicels twisted. I. linear lance 

 late. Stem erect, h. 1ft. Chili, 1822. A beautiful species, but 

 one requiring protection. SYNS. A. Flos Martini, A. tricolor. 



A. rosea (rosy). A synonym of A. Simsii. 



A. Simsii (Sims's).* fl. brilliant yellow, with red streaks, very 

 showy ; umbels many-flowered ; peduncles two-flowered. June. 



I. spathulate, ciliated. Stem weak. h. 3ft. Chili, 1822. 

 species. SYNS. A. Hookeri, A. pulchella, A. rosea. 

 A. tricolor (three-coloured). A synonym of A. pulehra. 



Hardy 



Fro. 68. ALSTROMERIA VERSICOLOR, showing Habit and Flower. 



A. versicolor (various coloured).* /. yellow, with purple marks 

 lowest segment the broadest ; umbel of usually three shortly- 

 stalked blooms, very floriferous. Late summer. I. linear-lanceolate, 

 sessile, scattered, h. 2ft. to 4ft. Peru, 1831. This is a very robust 

 species, with several beautiful varieties, which are both easily 

 obtained and very cheap. SYN. A. peruviana. See Fig. 68. 



A. V. niveo marginata (snowy-margined).* /. rose, crimson 

 and white, with green tips and black spots. I. lanceolate, stalked, 

 white-edged. 1875. A charming but scarce variety. 



ALTEBNANTHEBA (in allusion to the anthers 

 being alternately barren). OED. Amarantacece. Well- 

 known ornamental -leaved half-hardy plants, with incon- 

 spicuous flowers in axillary heads. Some of the under- 

 mentioned species and varieties belong, technically 

 speaking, to Telanthera, in which genus the five stamens 

 are inseparate below, and alternate with as many sterile 

 filaments. They are so universally known in gardening 

 under the present generic name, that we have here in- 

 cluded them for convenience' sake. Where Alternantheras 

 are used in large quantities (and if they are to be used 

 effectively, a considerable number must be provided), their 

 economical propagation becomes a matter of importance. 

 A good colour can only be secured by growing them in 



