74 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



COBEA. 



(SCANDENS.) 



This is a fine running trellis plant, a native of Mexico, 

 where it is known as Gedra neorada, and may be consid- 

 ered the best of its species. The flowers are of a bell shape, 

 at first of a dingy green, becoming a fine purple. The 

 leaves are alternate, equally pinnated, terminated with ten- 

 drils, leaflets egg-shaped, acute, quite ornamental in appear- 

 ance. This plant is perennial in duration, grows freely by 

 seed and cuttings, and is rather tender ; it should not be 

 planted in the open ground before May, and will run about 

 fifty feet in the season. The Cobea, if planted by the side 

 of a wall, will naturally catch by its tendrils ; still from the 

 nature and disposition of running so much, in wet seasons 

 if not fastened, it will break down by its own weight. If 

 this plant is intended for pot culture, in the summer it 

 should be allowed plenty of pot room, as the roots require 

 it, and the soil should be a rich sandy loam. As this plant 

 strikes freely from cuttings it should be planted in the open 

 ground in summer, and in September take cuttings, which 

 will strike quick under a bell glass; they can then be potted 

 off and kept easily in a pit or the house. The culture is 

 easy, the plant fine, and worthy of cultivation, especially 

 with those who have plenty of room, affording a good shade, 

 besides its floral beauty. 



