HENDEESON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



PHA 



though not very showy plants. The flowers are 

 about two inches long, in the form of a slender 

 tube, of a light pea-green color, tipped with 

 pink. The bulbs require a long season of rest 

 after flowering, which is usually in winter. 

 They are easily grown in a cool green-house , 

 with the most ordinary care. They are increased 

 by offsets. Introduced in 1844. 



Phaius. Fromphaios, shining; in allusion to the | 

 beauty of the original species. Linn. Gynan- 

 dria-Monandria. Nat. Ord. Orchidacece. 



These are handsome, free-flowering Or- 

 chids, of easy management. They should be 

 potted in leaf mould, sphagnum moss, and 

 broken charcoal or potsherds. In winter, or 

 when at rest, they should be kept in a low tem- 

 perature, such as that of the green-house, and 

 while there should be nearly dry. In early 

 spring re-pot them, and place them in the hot- 

 house, where they soon grow and ultimately ; 

 flower. Plenty of pot room should be given to 

 all the species. P. WaUichii is one of the finest. I 

 P. albus may be propagated by cuttings of the ' 

 stems. The species are natives of China and the 

 East Indies, and were first introduced in 1778. | 

 The well-known Bletia TankervUlue is now placed j 

 here by botanists under the name of P. grandi- \ 

 folius. See Blelia. 



Phaleenopsis. Indian Butterfly Plant. From 

 phalaina, a moth, and opsis, like ; in allusion to 

 the appearance of the flowers, which bear a 

 striking resemblance to that insect ; whence the : 

 common name Indian Butterfly Plant. Linn, j 

 Gynandria-Monandria. Nat. Ord., Orchidacece. 



One of the most magnificent of the order. 

 The flowers are borne from five to fifteen in j 

 number, on a half-pendent spike ; they are nearly I 

 circular in outline, about two inches and a half ' 

 in diameter, of a pure white, the central portion 

 being marked with delicate streaks of crimson ; j 

 the sepals and petals are thick and leathery, and, 

 as the name implies, a fancied resemblance may 

 be traced between the flowers of this plant and 

 a large white moth. In culture the species re- 

 quires a very high temperature ; it should be 

 grown in the hottest part of the hot-house, with 

 an abundant supply of moisture, especially in 

 the form of vapor, while in an active state ; but 

 at other times the quantity of each should bo 

 moderately reduced. In summer, when the 

 plant is growing, the thermometer should range 

 between 70 and 90, when it will grow rapidly, 

 and consequently flower in perfection. It may 

 be regarded as a very liberal bloomer. The ge- j 

 nus consists of several species, most of which 

 are of recent introduction. They are all natives 

 of the islands of the Indian Archipelago. First 

 introduced in 1836. 



Phalaris. Canary Grass. From pJialaros, shin- 

 ing ; referring to the shining seeds. Linn. Tri- 

 andria-Digynia. Nat. Ord. Graininacece. 



A small genus of Grasses, mostly natives of 

 Central Asia. P. Caiiariensis produces the Cana- 

 ry Seed of commerce. Gardener's Garters is a I 

 beautiful variegated variety of this grass, known I 

 as P. arimdinacea picta, very common in English i 

 gardens, and has been long introduced here. I 

 Propagated by division. 



Phalocailis. From phalos, a cone, and kallos, 

 beautiful ; beautifully cone-crested. Linn. Tri- 

 andria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Iridacecx. 



P. plumbea, the only known species, is a half- 

 hardy Mexican bulb, producing singular lead- 

 colored flowers, tinged with yellow in the center, 

 about three inches across, lasting only a few hours. 



PHI 



They expand before sunrise and close before 

 noon. This was formerly included in the genus 

 Cyphella, but separated by Dean Herbert. It re- 

 quires the same treatment and care as the. 27- 

 gridia. It is increased by offsets. Introduced 

 m 1837. 



Pharbitis. One of the divisions of the genus 

 Ipomosa, which see. 



Phaseolus. Kidney Bean. From phaselus, a lit- 

 tle boat ; fancied resemblance of the pods. Linn. 

 J)iMdelphia-Decandria. Nat. Ord. Fabacea;. 



This genus contains a few ornamental plants, 

 the remainder being agricultural or culinary 

 vegetables. Among the latter is the well-known 

 Kidney Bean. Of the former, P. Caracalla is 

 the most remarkable, on account of its singularly 

 twisted vexillum and keel, the appearance of 

 which has induced the popular name, Snail 

 Flower. It is a climber, and may be grown out 

 of doors in summer and in the green-house in 

 winter. It is propagated by cuttings and from 

 seed. The seed should be sown in spring in the 

 green-house, with a slight bottom heat, and af- 

 terward the plants may be placed in the borders 

 of the house where they are to bloom, or they 

 may be grown in pots. Its flowers are bluish 

 lilac. They are valued by florists for their 

 delicious fragrance and for their resemblance to 

 Orchids. There are several other ornamental 

 green-house kinds requiring the same treatment. 

 P. multiftorus is the common Scarlet Runner of 

 our gardens. It is a native of Mexico and South 

 America. There is a variety with white flowers. 

 P. vulgaris is our common Kidney Bean, the 

 origin of which is very uncertain. 



Philadelphus. Syringa or Mock Orange. An 

 ancient name applied by Linnaaus for no obvious 

 reason. Linn.lcosandria-Monotjynia. Nat. Ord. 

 Phiiadelphacece. 



A genus of native shrubs, common in shrub- 

 beries, the flowers of which smell like those of 

 the Orange, and the leaves taste like Cucumbers. 

 It is rather remarkable that one of the English 

 names of these plants is Syringa; which is the 

 botanical name of the Lilac, to which they have 

 not the slightest affinity. There are many spe- 

 cies, some of which have very large and hand- 

 some flowers, and some bear flowers without 

 any fragrance. They are all quite hardy, and 

 may be propagated by seeds, layers, cuttings, 

 or division. The species are common in the 

 mountains of Virginia and southward. 



Philageria Veitchii. A recent hybrid between 

 Lapageria rosea and Philesia buxifolia, raised by 

 the Messrs. Veitch, of England. See Philesia. 



Philesia. From philexios, lovely. Linn. Hexan- 

 dria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. SmilacecK. 



P. buxifolia is the only species of this genus. 

 It is a dwarf shrub, native of the extreme south- 

 ern part of South America, being found from 

 Valdivia to the Straits of Magellan. It is an 

 evergreen with small leaves, and large, bell- 

 shaped, drooping flowers, of a beautiful bright 

 red color. It is allied to Lapageria rosea, from 

 the same region. Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea, Eng., 

 have succeeded in raising a hybrid between the 

 two plants, which has been named Phllmjeria 

 Veitchii. It is proper to state that the plant is 

 inferior, in point of beauty, to either parent. 

 We do not know of its introduction into this 

 country. It would do well out of doors in the 

 Southern States, or in the green-house north. 



Phillyrea. From phyllon, a leaf; literally, a leafy 

 plant, the flowers being inconspicuous. Linn. 

 Diandria-Monogytda. Nat. Ord. Oteaceai. 



