1310 



GALAX 



GALAX 



GALAX (from the Greek meaning milk; applica- 

 tion obscure). Diapensiacese. One acaulescent plant, 

 much prized for its stiff bronzy root-leaves. 



Calyx imbricated, persistent; petals 5, hypogynous, 

 oblong-spatulate, entire, adnate to the base of the 

 monadelphous stamens; the stamen-tube 10-toothed, 

 the 5 teeth alternating with the petals antheriferous, 

 the others petaloiJ; anthers transversely dehiscent; 

 pistil 1; ovary superior, 3-celled, many-ovuled; style 

 short: fr. a loculicidal, 3-valved caps.; seeds with a 



1617. Galax aphyUa. (Xli) 



loose cellular testa. — This genus contains but a single 

 species. It belongs to a small family which was much 

 more extensive in past geologic times, but is now on the 

 way to extinction. A large industry has arisen in 

 recent years consisting in the marketing of immense 

 quantities of galax Ivs. for decorative purposes, espe- 

 cially at Christmas time; but the Ivs. are also used at 

 other times in wTcaths and bouquets. The bronzy 

 autumn coloration of the Ivs. adds to their attractive- 

 ness. They are collected in the mountains of N. C. and 

 Va. The plants are grown also in rockeries. It is 

 recommended to plant in rockeries with northern 

 exposure, shade, and some moisture. Prop, by division. 

 aphylla, Linn. (Blandfordia cordata, Andr.). Galax. 

 Fig. 1617. Evergreen, perennial herbs: rootstock thick, 

 matted, creeping: Ivs. basal, tufted, round-heart-shaped, 

 with narrow sinus, crenate, shining, conspicuously pal- 

 mately netted-veined, 1-3 in. broad, on long slender 

 petioles: scape 1-2)^ ft. high; spike-like raceme dense, 

 2-5 in. long; fls. small, white, 13--^-2 hnes broad. In dry 

 woods chiefly in the mountains, Va. to Ga., and along 

 the coast, Va. to N. C. B.M. 754. G.F. 5:605 (adapted 

 in Fig. 1617). G.M. 44:223. Gn. 59, p. 187.— CaUed 

 also colts-foot or beetle-weed. j^, j^j Wiegand. 



Galax leaves were used for decorative purposes in a 

 commercial way only as far back as 1890, when they 

 were introduced to the northern florist trade by the 

 writer, who had experimented with them for several 

 years before that date, sending to hospitals and indi- 

 viduals. The reports received fully justified the intro- 



ducer in advertising the leaf widely as a florist's deco- 

 rative material for making up WTeaths, crosses, and in 

 fact all designs for which ivy leaves up to that time 

 had been employed almost exclusively. Today galax 

 leaves have to a great extent taken the place of ivy 

 leaves, being less expensive, more easily handled and 

 kept, and furnishing long wiry stems. The brilliant 

 bronze leaves supply a color long needed in this class of 

 work. The sizes also of the leaves vary from ' i inch or 

 less to 5 inches diameter, again making their uses very 

 varied. Small green galax leaves are now used exten- 

 sively for bunching with violets, taking the place of the 

 violet leaves. One of the features of the holiday season 

 in Boston is the fakir with his stand of violets bunched 

 with green galax. They come in again and are used the 

 same way at the first touch of spring, when the early 

 trailing arbutus or "mayflower" apijears on the street. 

 They can be arranged to cover much more space than 

 the ivy leaves, and do not have to be wired, as is the 

 case with the latter. The keeping quaUties of galax are 

 remarkable, and they are now used the year round from 

 cold storage. Outdoor designs, as in cemeteries, will 

 keep fresh and bright for months if not dried out, but 

 otherwise require no care. A favorite arrangement of 

 galax leaves is to place them loosely in a small vase, 

 where they will retain their bright colors and shape for 

 weeks, even in a close warm room, though most of the 

 leaves are used, commonly with flowers, in designs 

 made up by the florist. As a Christmas decoration 

 they stand preeminent, and their general good quali- 

 ties mentioned above cause them to be used through- 

 out the year, more, perhaps, than any other decorative 

 green, ferns possibly excepted. 



In Philadelphia, some time ago, an enterprising 

 young woman introduced a novel and taking innova- 

 tion in the shape of potted galax plants for society din- 

 ners. Small, brilliantly colored green and bronze 

 leaves were arranged in tiny pots, specially designed 

 by Messrs. Sackett & Company, and placed at each 

 plate, to be carried away by the guests as souvenirs. 

 They were also sold through one of Philadelphia's 

 leading merchants by thousands. 



The larger cities, Boston, New York, Philadelphia 

 and Chicago, use the largest quantities, though many of 

 these are retailed again to smaller cities and towns all 

 over the United States and Canada, and there is a large 

 export trade now established in them, mostly to Ger- 

 many and the Netherlands. 



The area over which galax is collected extends from 

 Virginia to Georgia, and is so vast that there is no dan- 

 ger of exterminating the plant by collecting the leaves, 

 even if they were injured thereby, which does not seem 

 to be the ca.se. It is not practicable to grow the plants 

 for the harvest of leaves, at least in America, the pro- 

 cess being too expensive. Under cultivation they would 

 perhaps not average one perfect salable leaf to a plant, 

 as a speck or wormhole renders the leaf unfit for deco- 

 rative purposes. In Europe galax has been tried with 

 varying success under glass, the leaves bringing a very 

 high price. 



Galax aphylla is a beautiful ground-covering plant, 

 specially adapted to the rhododendron border, where 

 the soil and situation aKkc are suitable to its growth; 

 it delights in shade and a cool, moist, peaty loam. Its 

 charms are far better known in England, however, than 

 at home. The leaves, when full growii, are always 

 bright green, the brilliant bronze shades appearing 

 later when the plant ripens and the frosts begin. Then 

 v/hen they are exposed to the direct rays of the sun the 

 alternating freezing and sun action cause the leaves to 

 turn in a short time, though sometimes this occurs to an 

 extent before any freezing weather, when the sap starts 

 downward. In dense shade they always remain green. 

 In spring, when the sap begins to start, the leaves often 

 turn green or dingy again, and eventually die down the 

 second season. Harlan P. Kelset. 



