AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



237 



Calathea- 



mtinned. 



FIG. Sia SLNGLE FLOWER OF CAIAMTHK VKRATRIFOLIA. 

 C. vestita (clothed).* JL, sepals and petals pure white, numerously 



produced in a many-flowered, nodding spike. I. deciduous. 



Pseudo-bulbs large, whitish, h. 2Jft. Burmah. (B. M. 467L) 



The varieties of this species are Tery numerous. 

 C. V. igneo-oculata (fire-eyed).* JL, base of the column purplish, 



over which is a dazzling fire-colour, the blotch in the base of the 



lip of the same colour. Borneo, 1876. 

 C. v. nivalis (snowy).* jL pure white, entirely destitute of any 



colour on the lip. Java, 1868. 



C. v. rubro-oculata (red-eyed).* fl. delicate white, with a blotch 

 of rich crimson in the centre ; upwards of 2in. across ; spikes long, 

 drooping, baring a white downy covering, and rising from the base 

 of the silvery-green pseudo-bulbs, when the latter are without 

 leaves. October to February. 



C. v. Turner! (Turner's).* /. pure white, with rose-colonred eve, 

 larger, and produced on longer flower-spikes than the other kinds ; 

 form of flowers more compact. Java. This is considered by 

 some authorities, to be a distinct species. 



CAT.ATTTEA (from Italathos, a basket; in reference 

 to the basket-shaped stigma, or to the leaves being worked 

 into baskets in South America). OBD. Scitamineae. This 

 genus of very ornamental-leaved stove plants is dis- 

 tinguished from Maranta by mere botanical characters; 

 and the two genera are often confounded. Flowers in ter- 

 minal spikes, bracteate ; perianth six-cleft, outer segments 

 lanceolate, inner ones blunt and irregular ; stamens three, 

 petal-like. Leaves large, springing from the contracted 

 stem near the root. They delight in a rich, loose, open 

 soil, consisting of peat, loam, and leaf soil, in about 

 equal proportions, with the addition of a good sprinkling 

 of sand, to keep it open and porous. The mixture should 

 be used in a rough, lumpy state, so that the roots, 

 which are of large size, may be able to travel with free- 

 dom. Nearly all the species admit of easy increase by 

 division. July is a favourable time to set about it, or it 

 may be carried out any time between that and the spring 

 months. In order to make the necessary separation with- 

 out damaging the roots, the plants should be shaken out 

 from the soil, when they may be divided into as many 

 pieces as there are separate crowns. Whether an increased 

 stock be desired or not, Calatheas require fresh soil 

 annually; and, if not reduced by division, they become 

 much too thickly foliaged to properly develop, unless 

 they are shifted into larger-sized pots, -which can always 

 be done if large specimens are required. When making 

 divisions, see that each crown is well furnished with roots, 

 so that they may at once commence sending up fresh 

 young foliage. Although Calatheas require an abundant 

 supply of water while growing, a stagnant moisture is most 

 injurious ; good drainage is, therefore, essential. To have 

 the leaves in fine, healthy condition, plenty of atmospheric 

 moisture must be maintained during the^r growth ; and, if 

 syringing is resorted to for the purpose of securing this, 

 clear soft water should be used, or an unsightly deposit will 

 be the result, by which the beauty of the plants, unless they 

 are frequently sponged, will be spoiled. These plants re- 

 quire, in addition to plenty of moisture, moderate shade 

 during the summer, as they dislike strong sunshine, and 

 may, therefore, be grown among ferns, under creepers, in 

 situations that would be of little use for other purposes. 

 Calatheas are not subject to insects if properly supplied 

 with water while growing, and a sufficiently moist atmo- 



sphere is at all times maintained ; but, if either of these 

 are lacking, red spider soon put in an appearance, and 

 quickly disfigure the leaves. 



hite. Brazil, 1875. SYN. Jfaranta 



C. applicata (inclined). JL wh 

 pinnato-pieta. (B. H. 187o, 18.) 



C. arrecta (erect).* I. rich satin-green on the upper side, and 

 heavy ruby colour on the under side. Ecuador, 1872. A fine 

 species, with a very elegant growth. (L H. 1871, 77.) 



C. Bacbemiana (Bachem's). L silvery, with green lines and 

 blotches. Brazil, 1875. 



C. Baraqninii (Baraquin's).* I. ovate-lanceolate ; ground colour 

 bright green, relieved by beautiful bands of silvery white. 

 Amazons, 1868. 



C. bella (handsome).* L greyish-green, with the margins and two 

 series of central patches deep green. Brazil, 1875. SYN. Maranta 

 tesgeUata Eegeljani. 



C. crocata (saffron-coloured). JL orange. Brazil, 1875. 



C. eximia (choice). 1857. SYN. Phrynium eximivm. (R, G. 

 686.) 



C. fasciata (banded).* L Sin. to 12in. long, 6in. to Sin. wide, 

 broadly cordate ; ground colour bright green, with broad bands 

 of white running across from midrib to the margin ; the under 

 side pale green, tinged with purple, h. 1ft Brazil, 1859 

 (R. G. 255.) 



C. hieroglyphica (hieroglyphic). I. broadly obovate, obtnse; 

 ground colour rich dark velvety green, which, towards the midrib, 

 shades off into light emerald green ; primary veins oblique, and 

 the spaces between them ornamented with irregular streaks 

 and bars of silvery white ; under surface of a uniform dark vinous 

 purple. Columbia, 1873. Dwarf and distinct. (L H. 1873, 122.) 



C. illustris (bright).* L somewhat obovate ; upper surface of a 

 bright pea-green, streaked with transverse bands of a deeper 

 green ; midrib pink, with two irregular blotches of white travers- 

 ing the leaves from base to point, midway between the margin 

 and costa ; under surface deep purple. Ecuador, 1866. 



C. Kerchoviana (Kerchove's).* I. cordate, oblong, obtuse, shortly 

 and abruptly acuminate, greyish-green, with a row of purplish 

 blotches on each side of the midrib. h. 6in. Brazil, 1879. 

 SYX. Maranta Uucontiira Kerchoriana. 



C. Iiegrelliana (Le Grell's). I. very dark green, relieved by a 

 feathery band of white, extending the whole length between the 

 midrib and margin. Ecuador, 1867. 



C. Iieitzei (Leitze's). I. dblong-lanceolate, deep metallic green, 

 and shining on the upper surface, with feather-like markings of 

 deeper colour, purplish-violet beneath. Brazil, 1875. (R. G. 935.) 



C. leopardina (leopard).* L oblong, pale or yellowish-green, 

 marked on each side of the costa with several oblong acuminate 

 blotches of deep green, h. 2ft. Brazil, 1875. (R. G. 893.) 



C. lenconenra (white-nerved). A synonym of Jlaranta leuco- 

 neura. 



C. Linden! (Linden's).* L oblong, 6in. to 12in. long, deep green, 

 with blotches of yellowish-green on each side of the midrib; 

 under surface purplish-rose, through which the markings of the 

 upper side are visible. Peru, 1866. Very handsome and free- 

 growing. (L H. 1871, 82.) 



C. Ludani (Lncian's). I. shining green, the midrib festooned 

 with silvery white. Tropical America, 1872. 



C Makoyana (Maker's).* I. oblong, somewhat unequal-sided, 

 6in. to Sin. long, upwards of 4in. broad ; outer margin deep green, 

 the central portion semi-transparent, beautifully blotched with 

 creamv-yellow and white; the central part is also ornamented 

 between the transverse veins with oblong blotches of deep green ; 

 petioles slender, purplish-red. Tropical America, 1872. SYN. 

 C. oliwnt. (G. C. 1S7, p. 1589.) 



C Massangeana (Massange's).* f. beautifully covered with rich 

 marking, presenting a somewhat similar appearance to the winp 

 of certain butterflies. The outer portion is ohve-green ; the 

 middle, on both sides of the costa, of a delicate silvery -grey colour. 

 from which the whitish side veins run out in a well-defined 

 and regular manner ; 

 silvery centre is ornament 



purplish-maroon, occasionally shaded with brownish-crimson ; 

 the whole of the leaf being marked with silky and sparkling 

 reflections. Brazil, 1875. It is of neat habit, growing in close 

 tufts, its ample foliage covering the ground. 



C. medlo-plcta (middle painted). L oblong-acute, tapering to the 

 bile, drf green, with a feathered white central stripe. Brazil, 

 1878. 



C </.nTig (glittering).* I. oblong-acuminate, 2in. to Sin. long, a 

 little over Tin. inT>readth, dark shining green, with a white 

 feathery stripe down the centre. Tropical America. The 

 smallest species of the genus, with a spreading habit, and 

 quickly forming dense and beautiful tufts. There is a variety 

 of this named amabili*. Brazil. 



C. nitena (shining).* L oblong, green, with a bright glossy surface, 

 marked ooMchSte of the ifilrib with a series ofoblong acute 



; the portion of the leaf surrounding the 

 mented with large blotches of dark velvety 



