300 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Imcanus cervus, or Stag Beetle continued. 



FIG. 473. MALE STAG BEETLE (LUCANUS CERVUS). 



common in the South of England. Neither insect does 

 much injury to quite healthy trees, because of the pre- 

 ference of the larvae for decaying wood. 



FIG. 474. SMALL STAG BEETLE (DORCUS PARALLELOPIPEDUS). 



LUCINJEA. A synonym of Anchietea (which see). 



LUCULIA (from Luculi Swa, its native name). 

 OUD. Rubiaceai. A genus comprising two species of 

 very ornamental and fragrant-flowered greenhouse ever- 

 green shrubs, the one from the Himalayas, the other 

 from the Mountains of Khasia. The best-known and 

 most generally cultivated species is L. gratissima. This 

 is a very handsome plant, amenable to pot culture, but it 

 thrives best in the beds or borders of a conservatory 

 where plenty of room can be afforded. It succeeds in 

 a compost of fibrous loam, peat, and silver sand. The 

 roots should be inclosed in an area of about 3ft. 

 square, with thick slates or a narrow wall, and they 

 must not be disturbed after planting time. Large quan- 

 tities of water may be applied throughout the summer, 

 but none should be given between the pruning time in 

 December, and April, the season for starting. Old- 

 established plants may be cut hard back when the 

 flowers have faded, as the new growths bear flowers 

 the next autumn on their points. Propagation may be 

 effected by imported seeds, which germinate freely if 

 sown in sandy soil, and placed in a little heat, during 

 spring or summer. The method of increase usually 

 recommended is that of inserting cuttings of young 

 shoots, about Midsummer, under a bell glass, subjecting 

 them for the first two or three weeks to a gentle bottom 

 heat. Although it is possible to propagate Luculias 

 from cuttings, it is by no means a generally successful 



Luculia continued. 



method, unless the conditions under which the cuttings 

 are placed regarding shade and temperature, are just 

 suitable to their requirements. Seedling plants grow fast, 

 if properly attended to, but seldom bear flowers before 

 the second or third year. 



FIG. 475. FLOWERING BRANCH OF LUCULIA GRATISSIMA. 



L. gratissima (very grateful).* fl. rose-coloured, somewhat 

 fleshy, sweet-scented; corolla tubular; cymes terminal, many- 

 flowered. Autumn. I. elliptic, acuminated, glabrous above, 

 villous on the veins beneath. Branches terete, pubescent, h. 9ft. 

 to 16ft. Temperate Himalayas, 1823. See Fig. 475. (B. M. 

 3946; S. B. F. G. 145.) 



FIG. 476. FLOWERING BRANCH OF LUCULIA PINCEANA. 



L. Pinceana (Pince's).* fl. white, larger and more fragrant than 

 the above species. May to September. Khasia Mountains, 1843. 

 This plant resembles L. gratissima in general habit, but has 

 smaller, narrower, more coriaceous leaves, with more numerous 

 nerves, and quite glabrous. The best character, however, to dis- 

 tinguish between the two species is the presence in L. Pinceana 

 of a raised callus on each side of the sinus of the corolla lobes. 

 See Fig. 476. (B. M. 4132.) 



