702 



GYMNOGRAMMA 



GYNANDROPSIS 



7. decompdsita, Baker. Lvs. 1% ft. long, 1 ft. broad, 

 deltoid, quadripmnate or even 5-pinnate; pinnae close, 

 lanceolate, with the ultimate divisions linear and 1- 

 nerved : powder rather scanty. Andes. F.R. 2:25. G.C. 

 III. 11:365. F.1874, p. 148. 



BBB. Powder white: Ivs. lanceolate. 

 D. Segments acute. 



8. calomelanos, Kaulf. Stalks and rachises nearly 

 black: Ivs. 1-3 ft. long, with lanceolate pinnae; segments 

 often with a large lobe-like auricle at the upper side of 

 the base. West Indies to Brazil. A. G. 14:303. -The most 

 variable species of the genus. G. magnified, Hort., is 

 probably one of the many garden varieties. Var. chryso- 

 phylla is here considered a distinct species. (See No. 4. ) 



DD. Segments obtuse, rounded. 



9. Peruviana, Desv. Lvs. 6-12 in. long, 3-5 in. wide, 

 with dark chestnut-brown stalks ; pinnae somewhat regu- 

 larly pinnatifld on both sides below. Mexico to Peru. By 

 some considered a var. of G. calomelanos. . Var. argyro- 

 phylla ( G. argyrophylla, Hort. ), is silvery on both sides. 



10. Tartarea, Desv. (G. Tatdrica, Hort.). Lvs. 9-18 

 in. long, 2-5 in. broad, with closely set pinnae, tapering 

 gradually to a point; pinnules scarcely divided or cut, 

 mostly merely crenate. Trop. Amer. from Mex. south- 

 ward. 



DDD. Segments fan-shaped or wedge-shaped. 



11. pulcli611a, Linden. Lvs. 6-12 in. long, 4 in. wide, 

 the lower pinnae much the largest; pinnules imbricated; 

 texture rather thin. Venezuela. Var. Wettenhalliana, 

 Moore (G. Wettenhalliana, Hort.) ; is a garden variety, 

 with pale sulfur-yellow powder. 



Q. Japdnica. See Dictyogramma Japonica. 



L. M. UNDERWOOD. 



Gold and Silver Ferns are amongst the choicest and 

 most distinct of all ferns in cultivation, by reason of the 

 beautiful golden or silvery powder that covers the backs 

 of the fronds. The best Gold Fern is G. chrysophylla; 

 the best Silver Fern is G. calomelanos. Unfortunately, 

 however, these fine subjects scarcely thrive anywhere 

 but in a warm conservatory. The finest Gold or Silver 

 Fern will present an unsightly appearance if syringed 

 or watered overhead, as the water carries off the farina. 

 Moreover, many a fine specimen is spoiled by overwater- 

 ing at the roots in winter time or directly after repot- 

 ting. The Gold Fern shown on Plate XI, which was 

 considered one of the finest specimens of Gymnogramma 

 ever raised in America, a plant that had been carefully 

 kept for many years, was destroyed one winter by over- 

 watering. In the summer time, when these, ferns are 

 growing freely, there is little danger of over-watering, 

 always provided the drainage be thorough. In the winter 

 Gold and Silver Ferns should have a drier atmos- 

 phere, and less water will suffice. Plants in small pots 

 should be lowered into a pail of water. Do not soak 

 them again until they show indications of dryness. 

 Large specimens should never be watered with the hose ; 

 always use the watering can. A critical time with Gold 

 and Silver Ferns is after repotting, and many promis- 

 ing specimens are ruined as a result of premature 

 watering at this time. When the plants are well estab- 

 lished and the roots have taken fresh hold in the new 

 soil they will need more water. 



Gold and Silver Ferns like a drier atmosphere than 

 the majority of ferns, particularly in winter. Hence 

 they should not be placed on low benches. Elevate them 

 in some way so that they can get the warmer and drier 

 air of the conservatory. Young specimens should be 

 placed on shelves or brackets near the light. Older 

 plants may be set upon a large inverted pot or fern pan. 

 A plant grown from spores shows its true character 

 early. A year's growth produces fine little ferns, in 2 

 or 3-in. pots, with fronds 4 or 5 in. long, the young ferns 

 being 2 or 3 in. high. Another year's care will give 

 handsome specimens a foot or more high. 



The first thing to do with Gold and Silver Ferns is to 

 give them a special place where they can receive special 

 care. For potting a light mixture la desirable. In the 

 Old World, loam is usxially not recommended, but for 

 large specimens the writer has had best success in using 

 2 parts of fibrous loam, 1 part peat broken or chopped 



in good sized pieces, and 1 part leaf -mold, with a little 

 sand and some charcoal to keep the soil porous. These 

 ferns can hardly have too much light, and need slight 

 shade only in summer. In winter the night temperature 

 should be 55 to 60, with a day temperature 5 to 10 

 higher. Be sure to give these ferns a drier atmosphere 

 and less moisture at the roots in winter than in sum- 

 mer. However, the plants must not be allowed to get 

 too dry. 



The writer prefers to grow large specimens in pans 

 rather than in pots, as the roots have more room to 

 spread. Surface rooting can be encouraged by a light 

 mulch of chopped moss, some fine peat and sand. 

 Keep the crown of the plant a little elevated. It 

 is necessary to have plenty of drainage. A good potting 

 soil for young plants consists of 2 parts peat and 

 1 part sand. Repot in February, before the young 

 growth has started. If repotting is delayed too long 

 the young fronds will be injured. ROBERT SHORE. 



GYMNOPETALUM (Greek, naked petal}. Cuci 

 tacece. A genus of 6 species of tropical oriental vines, 

 which one, G. Cochinchinense, is cult, chiefly for its or 

 mental gourds. It is a tender perennial plant, and 

 said to have small white fls. borne in late summer 

 autumn. It is advertised only in the largest seed a 

 logues, under the name of Scotanthus tubiflorus. 

 tanthus was formerly thought to be a closely allied 

 nus, differing only in the staminate fls. possessh 

 bracts and 3 bristle-like rudiments of an ovary, whi 

 the staminate fls. of Gymnopetalum, by the old definil 

 have no bracts or minute ones, and but 1 rudiment of 

 ovary. The latest monograph of the Cucurbitacese is 

 Coigneaux in DC. Mon. Phan. vol. 3, 1881. He inclu< 

 Scotanthus in Gymnopetalum, and distinguishes G. 

 chinchinense from the 5 other species by the follow 

 characters: fls. monoecious, white; calyx teeth long lin" 

 ear-awl-shaped ; calyx shortly villous, not tomentose: 

 Ivs. ovate, angled or slightly lobed : fr. 10-ribbed. 



Cochinchinense, Kurz (Scotdnthus tubiflorus, Naud.). 

 Musk-scented: stem much-branched, slender, grooved, 

 creeping or climbing, 5-7% ft. long: Ivs. about 

 in. long, 1-2 in. wide: fr. bright red, ovoid, rather acute 

 at the base, produced at the apex into a long point which 

 withers and remains, 2 in. long, more than 1 in. thick. 



GYMN6PTERIS. See Acrostichum. 



GYMNOSPORIA (Greek, naked seeds; because in' 

 some species the seeds have no false coat, or aril). Ce- 

 lastrdcece. This includes a pretty evergreen spiny shrub, 

 cult, in S. Calif., and suitable for hedges. A genus of 

 about 60 species of shrubs or small trees, growing in 

 warm regions : branches often spiny: Ivs. alternate, 

 without stipules : fls. in small, forking cymes; sepals, 

 petals and stamens 4-5, the last inserted underneath the 

 disk, which is broad, wavy or lobed ; style 2-3-lobed: 

 capsule obovoid or nearly globose : seeds 1-2 in each cell. 

 G. serrata, from Himalayas, is cult, at Santa Barbara, 

 Calif., from seeds sent to F. Franceshi by the Botanic 

 Garden of Rome. 



GYMNOSTACHYUM stands as a good genus, but for 

 the trade forms, see Fittonia. 



GYMNOTEIX. See Pennisetum. 



GYNANDROPSIS (Greek words : the stamens look 

 as if they were borne on the ovary). Capparidacece. 

 This genus includes a tender annual plant with 5-7 leaf- 

 lets, and flowers resembling the spider flower, or Cleome. 

 It is known to the trade at present as a Cleome, bu 

 Gynandropsis is distinguished by having a long torus 

 (or receptacle), which is produced into a slender body 

 (or gynophore) which is elongated at the middle, and 

 bears the pistil to which the filaments are united. 

 Cleome has a short torus, which often has an appem 

 on the back. Stamens about 6 in Gynandropsis: 

 Cleome 4-6, often 10. Gynandropsis has about 10 sj 

 cies, found in the warmer parts of the world. Leafl 

 3-7: fls. white or purplish; sepals deciduous; petals 

 tire or crenulate, obovate, with a slender claw : 



