HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



CLE 



Clerodendron. From kleros, a chance, and den- 

 dron, a tree ; said to be owing to the uncertain- 

 ty of the medicinal qualities. Linn. Didynamia- 

 Aivjiospermia. Nat. Ord. Verbenacecu. 



It is difficult to conceive more beautiful ob- 

 jects than several members of this genus when 

 well cultivated. Cuttings taken off any time 

 during summer root readily, or in winter in gen- 

 tle heat, and should be kept in small pots 

 through the succeeding winter, on a shelf or 

 underneath a bench in the green-house. About 

 the first of February repot them, giving them a 

 liberal shift. The soil should be light and very 

 rich. To flower freely they require frequent 

 shiftings from smaller into larger pots. With 

 this treatment they can be made to bloom con- 

 tinually during the entire season. Old plants 

 can be grown on with occasional shiftings, and 

 make splendid plants for garden decoration dur- 

 ing summer. They must, however, be grown 

 in the shade. After flowering water freely, in 

 order that they may make a good growth ; after 

 which they should have partial sun to ripen the 

 wood. If not wanted for winter flowering, re- 

 move the plants in the fall to a light cellar, free 

 from frost, giving them through the winter just 

 enough water to sustain life. In the spring, 

 when all danger from frost is over, remove the 

 plants to any desired position in the garden or 

 on the veranda for another season of bloom. C. 

 li ilfourii is the best and most showy variety, and 

 one we have seen in full bloom a number of 

 years in succession, with the above treatment. 

 It makes a valuable climbing plant when so de- 

 sired. 



Clethra. White Alder, Sweet Pepperbush. From 

 Idethra, the Greek name of the Alder, which 

 this genus somewhat resembles in foliage. Linn. 

 Uvcandria-Monoyynia. Nat. Ord. EricacecK. 



A genus of deciduous shrubs, several species 

 of which are common in swamps and low places 

 along our southern coast. C. alnifolia is common 

 in the Middle States. It is remarkable for its 

 sweet-scented flowers, which are borno in ter- 

 minal racemes in July and August. Like many 

 other natives of our swamps, it improves by cul- 

 tivation, and will succeed well in a shrubbery \ 

 border, however dry. It should be transplanted j 

 in early spring. 



Cleyera. Named after Dr. Cleyer, a Dutch botanist, j 

 Linn. Pobjandrla-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Tern- ! 



An ornamental green-house evergreen shrub, 

 with yellowish-white flowers, sometimes sweet- 

 scented. They are natives of India and Japan, 

 and rarely seen in collections. 



Clianthus. Glory Pea. From kleios, glory, and < 

 (inthos, a flower. Linn. Diadelphia-Tetmtwnia. 

 Nat. Ord. Fabaceoi. 



A genus of magnificent, half-hardy shrubs 

 from Australia, remarkable for their showy 

 flowers, which are borne in terminal or axillary 

 racemes. C. pnniceus, the crimson Glory Pea, is 

 a magnificent, half-hardy shrub, with bright 

 crimson flowers, a native of New Zealand. It 

 grows very freely in rich loam if its roots are 

 allowed sufficient room ; and it generally thrives 

 best when planted against the back wall of a 

 conservatory. Cuttings planted in pots in the ! 

 autumn, and kept in the shady part of the i 

 green-house, will be rooted by spring, when they i 

 may be planted in the open border. It is \\ 

 plant that rarely flowers well in a pot, as it re- 

 quires abundance of room for its roots, and 

 grows rapidly, with rather succulent shoots, re- 



CLI 



quiring abundance of water during the growing 

 season, and very little at any other time. When 

 grown in the open ground the juicy nature of 

 its roots renders it a favorite food for snails, 

 and when kept in the conservatory or green- 

 house it is very apt to be attacked by the red spi- 

 der. If these enemies be kept away, and the 

 plant be grown in rich soil, composed of equal 

 parts of loam and thoroughly rotten manure, 

 and well supplied with air, light, and water, 

 with abundance of room for its roots, the rapid- 

 ity of its growth and the splendor of its flowers 

 will almost surpass belief; but unless these 

 points are attended to, the plant is scarcely 

 worth growing. C. Dampieri, a species of recent 

 introduction from the desert regions of Austra- 

 lia, is by far the most beautiful of the genus, 

 either for the green-house or the border. Its 

 cultivation is rather difficult. It does not grow 

 to such dimensions as the former, but is of the 

 same habit. The flowers are brilliant scarlet, 

 and marked with a black blotch in the center. 

 It succeeds best when treated as an annual. If 

 the seeds be planted in May in the open border 

 where they are to grow, in a rich, sandy loam, 

 they will make magnificent plants, and flower 

 freely from August until killed by frost. Five 

 degrees of frost will not injure either the plants 

 or the flowers. They will not at any time bear 

 transplanting. Introduced in 1832. 

 Climbing Fern. See Lygodium. 

 Climbing Fumatory. See Adlumia. 

 Climbing Gentian. See Oraicfurdia. 

 Climbing Hydrangea. See Schlzaphragma. 

 Climbing Hempweed. See Mikania. 

 Clintonia. In honor of De Witt Clinton, a governor 

 of the State of New York. Linn, llonaddphia- 

 Digynla. Nat. Ord. LobeHaceon. 



A genus of hardy annuals from California and 

 British Columbia, free flowering, and very 

 pretty for the border. If the seeds be sown in 

 February, and the plants treated the same as 

 Verbenas, they will flower by the first of June, 

 and continue until killed by frost. Flowers 

 lovely blue, not unlike the Lobelias. Intro- 

 duced by Mr. Douglas in 1827. 

 Clitoria. Blue Pea. From kleio, to shut up : in 

 reference to its seeding within the flower long 

 before the flower drops off. Linn. Diadelphia- 

 Tetragynia. Nat. Ord. Fabacece. 



Very handsome hot-house climbers, of grace- 

 ful habit, the majority producing large, highly- 

 colored flowers. C. Ternatea is perhaps the fin- 

 est, its lovely blue flowers receiving universal 

 admiration. The whole of the perennial species 

 succeed in rich loam. The annual kinds require 

 the ordinary treatment of tender annuals. ('. 

 Mariana has a curious distribution, being found 

 in the Southern States and Mexico, and appear- 

 ing again in the Khasia Mountains in India, 

 without being found in any intervening place. 

 Propagated by cuttings or seeds. Introduced 

 in 1732. 



Clivia. Named after the Duclt&ss of Northumber- 

 land, a member of the Clive family. Linn. 7/er- 

 ondria-Jtmogynio. Nat. Ord. AiiKiryUidacetv. 



Clivia nobuis, the only species, is a robust 

 growing plant, which, once established, is very 

 prolific of flowers. It grows well in sandy loam, 

 if allowed the warmest part of the green-house, 

 or a cool shelf in the hot-house. Its flowers arc 

 of a delicate flesh color throughout the greater 

 part of the tube, heightening to a deep red over 

 the limb, the segments of which arc bright 

 green. It is increased by division of the roots. 



