AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



193 



Iresine continued. 



in Sin. pots in August, and place them in any close 

 frame. They soon root, and the plants thus obtained 

 should be kept rather dry throughout the winter, and in 

 a temperature of about 55deg. An increase of heat and 

 moisture, about March, will cause the production of 

 strong cuttings. Iresines are rather tender; consequently, 

 they should not be planted out before the beginning of 

 June, except in warm localities where there is no danger 

 from late spring frosts. A warm season is best for 

 bringing the foliage to perfection, particularly that of 

 I. Herbstii. I. Lindenii is one of the most distinct 

 sorts, and an invaluable bedding plant. 



Greenfly and Eed Spider are troublesome insects, 

 especially in winter and spring, when the plants are 

 indoors. The former may be destroyed by fumigation; 

 and frequent syringings will greatly tend to prevent Bed 

 Spider from becoming established. 

 I. Herbstii (Herbst's).* I. opposite, somewhat cordate, deeply 



two-lobed at the apex, and concave ; upper surface dark maroon ; 



midrib and primary veins broadly margined with carmine ; under 



side deep crimson. Stem and branches bright carmine, almost 



transparent, h. 12in. to 18in. South Brazil, 1864. SYN. Achy- 



ranthe* Verschaffeltii. (B. M. 5499.) 

 L H. acnminata (acuminated). A handsome form, with sharply 



acuminated leaves. (F. M. 441.) 



FIG. 322. IRESINE HERBSTII AUREO-RETICULATA, showing Habit 

 and detached Portion of Inflorescence with Leaf. 



I. H. at 



iticul! 



in-netted).* This variety has deep 

 vinous-red stems, leafstalks, and principal veins ; the surface of 

 the leaves being green, blotched with gold. See Fig. 522. 

 (F. M. 333.) 



I. Lindenii (Linden's).* I. narrow, oblong-lanceolate, rich deep 

 blood-red, with a central band of amaranth. Ecuador, 1868. A 

 very handsome and compact-growing plant. 



IRIARTEA (named in honour of Jnan Iriarte, a 

 Spanish botanist). SYN. Deckeria. ORD. Palmce. This 

 genus contains about five species of stove Palms, rarely 

 seen in cultivation, and rather difficult to grow. Ac- 

 cording to Mr. Williams, Iriarteas should be potted in 

 a compost of nearly all sand and loam, and plunged in 

 a tank of water, without which they are not likely to 

 succeed. Propagated by imported seeds. 

 I. deltoidea (deltoid).* I. pinnate ; pinnae about 2in. broad, 



sessile, erose at the apex ; apical segments much the largest, 6in. 



to 12in. long, and nearly as much in breadth. Plant spineless. 



Peru. An elegant species. SYX. /. robusta. 

 I. exorhiza. See Socratea cxorhiza. 

 I. prsemorsa (bitten off). See Catoblastus praemorsus. 

 I. robusta (robust). A synonym of /. deltoidea. 



IRIDE2E. A natural order of monocotyledonous plants. 

 Perennial herbs. Flowers regular or irregular, terminal, 

 in a spike, corymb, or loose panicle, rarely solitary, each 

 furnished with two (rarely more) spathaceous bracts, 

 usually scarious ; perianth superior, petaloid, tubular, six- 

 fid, regular or sub-bilabiate ; stamens three, inserted at the 

 base of the outer row of the perianth; anthers innate, 



VoL II. 



Irideae continued. 



opening on the back. Leaves usually all radical, eqnitant, 

 distichous, ensiform or linear, angular, entire, flat, or folded 

 longitudinally, the cauline ones alternate, sheathing. Iridece 

 inhabit both warm and temperate regions, and abound at 

 the Cape of Good Hope. They possess fragrant, stimu- 

 lant, and acrid properties. Illustrative genera are : Crocus, 

 Gladiolus, Iris, Ixia. 



IRIS (the Greek name for the rainbow, used as a title 

 of this plant since the time of Hippocrates). Including 

 Evansia, Gynandriris, Hermodactylon, Oncocyclus, Xiphion, 

 &c. OED. Iridece. A genus of about a hundred species 

 of mostly hardy herbaceous plants with creeping or 

 tuberous rootstocks, natives of Northern temperate regions. 

 Flowers in sheaths; perianth six-cleft; segments in two 

 rows ; three outer ones reflexed, often bearded at the base ; 

 three inner ones erect, usually smaller than the others ; 

 perianth tube short ; stamens three, inserted at the base 

 of the outer row of the perianth ; anthers innate ; style 

 with three petal-like divisions. Capsule leathery, trigonous, 

 dehiscing loculicidally. Leaves chiefly radical, equitant, 

 sword-shaped or linear. 



The numerous species and varieties of Iris, now in cul- 

 tivation, comprise a large and most interesting group 

 of hardy plants, remarkable alike for their curiously- 

 constructed and quaintly-marked flowers, and for the 

 peculiar manner in which many beautiful colours are 

 blended in them. A large proportion of the commoner 

 species do not need more than ordinary attention to 

 secure a profusion of flowers annually ; but there are 

 several which require special treatment, and can then 

 rarely be induced to flower. These are, however, well 

 deserving of special attention, on account of the beau- 

 tiful markings and combination of colours the limited 

 number of flowers they bear more particularly exhibit. 

 There are two large and distinct sections into which the 

 Iris is usually divided according to its habit of growth, 

 and these are distinguished by the one having long bulb- 

 like corms, and the other creeping fleshy root-stocks or 

 rhizomes. For convenience, they may be termed the 

 bulbous and rhizomatous sections, and a reference made 

 to each separately, as the proper treatment varies some- 

 what considerably with several of the species. The flower- 

 ing season of the Iris is principally spring and early 

 summer; but, with an assortment of the numerous spe- 

 cies and varieties in each section, it may be prolonged 

 throughout almost the whole year. Height in the plants 

 varies from 2in. or Sin. in some species, to 3ft. or 4ft. 

 in others; and a great diversity of habit is also repre- 

 sented. 



Propagation. The plants belonging to the bulbous 

 section of Iris may be raised in quantities from seed if 

 desired. It is produced by many in both sections, if 

 allowed, and should be sown in sandy soil, so soon aa 

 ripe, preferably in pans or boxes, which may be placed 



FIG. 323. DEHISCING CAPSULE OF IRIS. 



in a cold frame. Fig. 323 shows the way in which the 

 seed capsule bursts, when ripe, for discharging its con- 



2c 



