Encyclopaedia of Gardening 267 



Pseudostuga (pseudostu-ga, from pseudo, false, and Tsuga, a genus. 

 Ord. Coniferae). This genus is important through containing the 

 Douglas Fir, once called Abies Douglasii, but now called Pseudostuga 

 Douglas! by botanists. There are several varieties of this hand- 

 some Conifer, and brevifolia, pendula, glauca, and Stairii may be 

 mentioned as good. 



Psila rosae (Carrot fly). See Kitchen Garden. 



Psylla. A small insect, sometimes called the Apple sucker. See 

 Fruit enemies. 



Pteris, Brake Fern, Ribbon Fern (pte-ris, from pteron, a wing, in 

 allusion to the shape of the fronds. Ord. Filices). A large and very 

 useful genus of ferns, comprising several of our most popular 

 greenhouse, room, and table kinds. They vary greatly in appear- 

 ance, and also in requirements, some being hardy while others 

 require a warm house. The indoor species thrive in equal parts of 

 loam and leaf mould, with sand. Propagation is by spores (see 

 Ferns). Those which produce creeping rhizomes may be divided 

 in spring. Small plants are charming for dropping into ornamental 

 bowls for side tables. The following are a few of the best : aquilina 

 is the common Brake Fern or Bracken, and is hardy; cristata is a 

 crested variety of it. Cretica and its varieties form a popular set; 

 the type has pale green leathery fronds, and succeeds in a warm 

 greenhouse or fernery; albo-lineata, with central band of silver; 

 Mayi, crested; and Wimsetii, tips forked and crested, are good 

 varieties of cretica. Ensiformis Victoriae is prettily variegated. 

 Quadriaurita is a handsome species; its variety argyraea is varie- 

 gated, while rubricaulis has red stipes. Serrulata is a graceful 

 species which likes a warm house; its variety cristata has crested 

 fronds, and is very popular in the markets and for table decoration. 

 Tremula is one of the best ferns we have for a greenhouse or room, 

 and there are several nice varieties of it, notably elegans, flaccida, 

 and Smithiana. Umbrosa and its variety cristata are also worth 

 growing. Longifolia, a greenhouse species, is a popular fern, much 

 grown for the markets. 



Puccinia (puc-cm-ea) . A genus of injurious fungi, attacking- 

 many plants, notably Carnations (" rust "), Chrysanthemums 

 ("rust"), and Hollyhocks ("disease"). See the various plants 

 named for remedies. 



Pulmonaria, Lungwort (pulmona-ria, from pulmonarius , owing 

 to its supposed value in lung diseases. Ord. Boragineae). Useful 

 hardy perennials, suitable for the border. Officinalis, the reddish- 

 violet Bethlehem Sage, is the best known; it grows about a foot 

 high, and blooms in spring; there is a white variety; the leaves 

 are spotted with white. Any good garden soil will do, and propa- 

 gation is effected by division in spring. Sibirica is synonymous 

 with Mertensia sibirica, and Virginica with M. pulmonarioides 

 (see the Botanical Magazine, t. 160). 



Purslane. See Portulaca. 



