446 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Nephrolepis continued. 



obtuse, truncate at base ; superior (fertile) ones lanceolate-fal- 

 cate, acute, sub-deflexed, liin. long, iin. wide, truncate at base, 

 sub-auriculate on the upper margin, sori uniserial, anti-marginal. 

 Borneo. 



N. hirsutula (small-haired). A synonym of N. exaUata hirsutula. 



N. obliterata (obliterated). A synonym of N. ramosa. 



N. pectinata (comb-like) A synonym of N. cordifolia pectinata. 



FIG. 683. NEPHHOLEPIS DUFFII, showing Habit and Portion of 

 detached Frond. 



, . , 



the rachis, usually falcately nerved, broadest at the cor 

 the margin thickened, nearly entire towards the base, a 



N. plnma (feather).* fronds 4ft. to 5ft. long, 4in. broad, linear, 

 pendulous, pinnate ; pinnae about 2in. long, articulated with 

 broadest at the cordate base, 

 nd notched 



upwards in a series of oblique crenatures. sori transversely set 

 at the end of the anterior venule of each fascicle, one to each 

 crenature. Madagascar, 1878. A very handsome greenhouse 

 species, with wiry stolons. (G. C. n. s., ix. 589.) 



N. pnnotnlata (small-dotted). A synonym of N. acuta. 



N. ramosa (branched), tti. Tery short, scattered, on a slender, 

 wiry, wide-creeping rhizome, fronds 6in. to 12in. long, Iin. to 

 Sin. broad ; pinnae 4in. to liin. long, iin. to iin. broad, slightly 

 crenate, the upper edge auricled and truncate, parallel with 

 the stem, the lower oblique ; involucre roundish, very fugacious. 

 Tropics of Old World. SYNS. N. obliterata and N. trichoma- 

 noidea. 



N. splendena (glittering). A synonym of N. acuta. 



N. trichomanoides (Trichomanes - like). A synonym of 

 N. ramosa. 



N. tuberosa (tuberous). A synonym of N. cordifolia. 

 N. VOlnbilis (twining). A straggling, flexuous form of If. ex- 

 altata. 



NEPHROSFERMA (from nephros, a kidney, and 

 sperma, a seed; referring to the shape of the seed). 

 OED. PolmcE. A monotypic genus, the species being a 

 very elegant, armed, stove Palm, thriving in a compost of 

 turfy loam, leaf mould, and sand. Care should be taken 

 not to overpot, for wLen grown with but limited root room, 

 and plentifully supplied with water, the plants are very 

 useful for decorative purposes in a young state. 



N. Van Hontteannm (Van Houtte's).* tl. large. I. pinnate, 

 gracefully arched, divided into rather broad and long pendulous, 

 acuminate, unequal segments ; petioles rather short, h. 20ft. to 

 35ft. Seychelles, &c., 1868. SYNS. Areea nobilis and Oncospenna 

 Van Houtteanum. 



NEPHTHYTIS (named after Nephthys, the mother 

 of Anubis, the wife of Typhon). OED. Aroidece (Aracece). 

 This genus contains but three species of tall herbs, 

 chiefly of botanical interest, and natives of Western 

 tropical Africa. Spathes membranous, elliptic, acute; 



Nephthytis continued. 



spadix shorter than the spathe ; peduncle slender, erect. 

 Leaves large, on long petioles, membranous, triangu- 

 larly sagittate. N. liberica and N. constricta are stove 

 perennials, the second species not being worthy of special 

 mention. The species thrive in a hot, moist atmosphere, 

 and like a light, well-drained soil, rich in humus. Plenty 

 of water at the roots during the sea- 

 son of growth is essential. 



N. liberica (Liberian). JL, spathe con- 

 cave, expanded, ovate-oblong, shortly 

 cuspidate, 2Jin. long, green; spadix 

 shorter than the spathe ; scape terminal, 

 overtopping the leaves. I. on long pe- 

 tioles, sagittate, bright green. Stem sub- 

 scandent. Liberia, 1881. 



NEFTUNIA (so called after 

 Neptune, god of the sea ; in reference 

 to the species growing in lakes and 

 ponds). OED. Leguminosce. A genus 

 comprising about eight species of 

 diffuse, prostrate, or floating peren- 

 nial herbs or sub-shrubs, inhabiting 

 North and South America, tropical 

 Asia, and Australia. Flowers in glo- 

 bular heads, the lower ones barren, 

 with elongated petals; the upper 

 ones fertile, with definite stamens, 

 as in Desmanthus. Leaves bipinnate ; 

 leaflets small. N. plena, the only 

 species yet introduced, thrives well 

 in a stove aquarium, or in tubs or 

 pans filled with water, having a few 

 inches of soil in the bottom. The 

 white, spongy, lower portion of the 

 stems, full of air-cells, enabling the 

 plant to float, are very remarkable. 

 The leaflets and petioles are as irritable as those of 

 Mimosa pudica, and are of an extremely delicate yellow- 

 green colour. 



N. plena (abounding), fl. pale yellow; peduncles bracteate. 

 July to September. i, with two to four pairs of pinnae, and 

 each pinna bearing twelve pairs of leaflets. Stems prostrate, 

 compressed. Tropics, 1733. Sub-shrub. (B. M. 4695.) 



NERINE (called after the water nymph of that 

 name). STN. Loxanthes. OED. Amaryllidece. A genus 

 comprising not more than ten distinct species of beau- 

 tiful greenhouse or nearly hardy, bulbous plants, indi- 

 genous to South Africa. Flowers showy, in many- 

 flowered umbels, erect or slightly declinate ; perianth 

 segments narrow, slightly erect at base, spreading or 

 recurved; scape stout. Leaves loriform, sometimes 

 rather broad, appearing with or after the flowers. When 

 in flower, Nerines are amongst the most beautiful 

 of greenhouse bulbous plants. They are propagated 

 from offsets, and these should be grown on under the 

 same treatment as established bulbs. Loam and leaf 

 soil, with charcoal or sharp sand added, is a good com- 

 post to use, and efficient drainage must be provided. 

 The periods for growing and resting must be annually 

 allowed with these, as with most other South African 

 bulbs. The Guernsey Lily (N. sarniensis) is a beautiful, 

 well-known species, which may be purchased in August, 

 when the flower scapes are, just appearing. As the 

 bulbs have for some time previously been kept quite dry, 

 they should be very gradually subjected to watering. 

 N. curvifolia is also an exceedingly beautiful species, and 

 one of the most vigorous growers. Nerines do not require 

 repotting very frequently, but an annual top-dressing of 

 new soil is of material advantage when the flowering season 

 begins. This is chiefly autumn and winter, but varies 

 somewhat with different species, according to their habit 

 of flowering before or after the leaves appear. During 

 the season of growth, the plants succeed best in a frame 

 on a dung bed, with a little bottom heat. When the 



