FOLIAGE PLANTS 387 



from large rhizomes, and having remarkably showy leaves 

 and inconspicuous flowers. 

 Habitat. Tropical America. 



631. Propagation. Caladiums are usually propagated 

 from tubers, the form most frequently purchased. 



632. Culture. As soon as caladiums begin to lose 

 their leaves in the fall, the pots should be laid on their 

 sides, and sufficient water withheld so that no growth 

 takes place. They should not be subjected to a tempera- 

 ture of less than 60. About March first the tubers should 

 be removed from the soil, arranged closely in boxes of moss, 

 and covered with the same to a depth of about one inch. 

 New roots start from the top of the tuber. They should 

 be kept in an average temperature of 75. When several 

 roots have started, the tubers should be potted in three- or 

 four-inch pots in a mixture of two-thirds leaf-mold, one- 

 third loam and a little sand. They should be placed near 

 the glass and given considerable shade. They make a 

 rapid growth and soon will need potting into four- or five- 

 inch pots. Never allow them to become pot-bound. 



633. Ficus, or rubber plants, botanical classification. 

 Order, Urticaceae ; genus, Ficus (an ancient Latin name) ; 

 the most important species are : elastica, India-rubber tree ; 

 pandurata, fiddle-leaved rubber tree; pumila, creeping 

 fig ; benghalerisis, Banyan tree or small-leaved rubber tree ; 

 Parcellii, variegated rubber tree. 



634. Ficus, botanical characters. Rubber plants form a 

 group of trees, shrubs or climbing vines, characterized by a 

 milky juice and inconspicuous flowers which are inclosed in 

 a fleshy receptacle. The ornamental-leaved species rarely 

 flower. 



Habitat. Mostly from tropical Asia, Africa and 

 Australia. 



