554 FALLUGIA FATSIA 



a few together on a raceme i J to 4 ins. long, from the end of the shoot 

 or from the leaf-axils near the end. Each flower is i to i J ins. across, 

 petals white ; calyx J in. diameter, downy, with five ovate, pointed lobes ; 

 and five small bracts alternating with them. The heads of fruits are very 

 handsome, each carpel being terminated by a slender style i in. to ij ins. 

 long, clothed with silky hairs, the whole forming a dense feathery mass, 

 ij ins. across. 



Native of New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada; introduced in 1877. 

 This interesting and beautiful shrub is very rare in cultivation, and likely 

 to remain so. Coming from the dry, sun-baked hills of the south- 

 western United States, it finds in the English climate conditions almost 

 the opposite of its native surroundings. It would probably be best suited 

 on a warm slope in the Isles of Scilly. Elsewhere it will thrive best in 

 well-drained soil at the base of a sunny wall. 



FATSIA JAPONICA, Decaisne. ARALIACE^E. 



(Aralia japonica, Thunberg^ 



An evergreen shrub or small tree, oftenest a spreading bush from 

 6 to 15 ft. high. Stems very thick, not much branched, unarmed, marked 

 with large scars left by fallen leaves. Leaves leathery, varying in size 

 according to the size and vigour of the plant, ordinarily 12 to 16 ins. 

 across ; palmate, with a broad heart-shaped base and usually nine lobes, 

 the lobes reaching more than half-way to the base, ovate, coarsely and 

 bluntly toothed except towards the base, where the opening between the 

 lobes is wide and rounded; stalk round, stout, smooth, often i ft. or 

 'more long. The upper surface is dark shining green, the lower one 

 paler, both quite smooth. Flowers milky white, produced in the autumn 

 on large branching panicles of globose heads, each head 2 to 3 ins. wide ; 

 stalks white like the flowers. Fruits black, pea-shaped. 



Native of Japan; introduced in 1838. This very handsome shrub, 

 which bears about the largest leaves of any hardy evergreen, is well known 

 as a plant grown in pots for house decoration. It is not so well known 

 that it succeeds very well out-of-doors, and often makes a striking display 

 in October, provided it is given a sheltered, semi-shaded spot. Plants 

 near London, 8 ft. high, 'have been outside and unprotected for the last 

 twenty years. It is well worth growing for its bold and striking foliage. 

 Propagated by cuttings put singly in pots, and plunged in mild bottom 

 heat any time after the wood is fairly firm. Var. VARIEGATA has large 

 blotches of white towards the end of the lobes. 



FATSIA HORRIDA, Bentham and Hooker, a very spiny, deciduous shrub from 

 Western N. America and Japan, ought, if one judged from the climate in which 

 it is naturally found, to thrive in this country. But owing to the warm soft 

 weather we frequently experience in the early New Year, it starts into growth 

 too soon, and is almost invariably cut off by frost. Prof. Sargent found it 

 growing in the dense shade of hemlock forests in Japan, so possibly it might 

 succeed better in some such situation here than fully in the open. It is a low 

 bush with stout stems and leaf-stalks, densely covered with sharp, needle-like 



