PANDANUS. 165 



lent covering for palms and similar plants. Many of 

 the palms can be kept in the full light, but should be 

 plunged in the ground to lessen the danger of their dry- 

 ing out. If properly supplied with water, palms are 

 better off out of doors than in the house ; although the 

 leaves may become slightly yellow, they will recover their 

 green color on being returned to the house. 



As noted above, while the Latania (Fig. 62) 

 (properly Livistona CMnensis) and Corypha (Livistona 

 Australis) are much used, both for the greenhouse and 

 house, the forms commonly known as Kentias {Howea 

 Behnoreana, H. Fosteriana and Rhopalostylis Baueri), 

 the Arecas (Areca lutescens, A. rubra and Hyophorbe 

 Verschaffeltii) , Seaforthias (Archontophamix Alexandres 

 and A. Cunaingliamiand), Date Palms {Phoenix dacty- 

 lifera, P. rupicola and P. reclinata), and Rhapis 

 (Rhapis jiabelliformis and R. humilis) (Fig. 63), are 

 generally useful and are much more grown. 



PA ND ANUS. 



These plants, commonly known as Screw Pines, 

 from the spiral arrangement of their leaves, are both 

 interesting and, particularly in the variegated forms, 

 attractive. Pandanus utilis, the best known species, is 

 easily grown from seeds, which start readily in a strong 

 heat, and should be potted off in a rich, sandy compost 

 containing leaf mold or rotten sods. During the sum' 

 mer, they need a partial shade and a high temperature. 

 In well-drained pots, they can use large quantities of 

 water during the growing period. The air should be kept 

 moist at that time by frequent syringings, but in the 

 winter water should be used sparingly, both in the pots 

 and on the leaves. 



The other forms that are commonly grown are P. 

 candelabrum (Javanicus) variegatus and P. Veitchii, the 

 latter being more useful than either of the others. They 



