FOLIAGE PLANTS 379 



their dark green color. The walks in the palm house 

 should be wet down several times daily to maintain a moist 

 atmosphere. The temperature should rarely go below 60 

 at night. The foliage should be kept free from dust and 

 dirt. 



OTHER FOLIAGE PLANTS 



613. Aspidistras, botanical classification. Order, Lilia- 

 ceae; genus, Aspidistra (Greek, a small round shield; 

 referring to the shape of the stigma) ; species, lurida. 



614. Aspidistras, botanical characters. The aspidistra 

 is a very popular foliage plant, because of its hardy habit 

 of growth and its stiff, shining foliage. The flowers are 

 very inconspicuous, and are borne close to the ground. 



Habitat. China. 



615. Propagation. Aspidistras are propagated by divi- 

 sion during late winter, when growth is less active. The 

 divisions are potted immediately. They may also be prop- 

 agated by division of the rhizomes. They should be cut 

 in sections about two inches long, and buried in a flat 

 filled with a mixture of one-half leaf-mold .and one-half 

 sand. They are placed in a temperature of 80 until the 

 young leaves appear, when they may be put into three- 

 inch pots. 



616. Culture. Aspidistra is one of the easiest plants 

 to grow. It is used extensively by commercial florists 

 to rent for decoration, because it will stand very unfavor- 

 able conditions. It makes a good porch plant for summer, 

 and will grow well in dark halls in dwelling houses. The 

 leaves can be readily cleaned. It should be given an 

 abundance of water, and there may be water in the jar- 

 diniere in which the plant is placed. This will be beneficial, 

 provided it is changed frequently. 



