354 GAKDEN PLANTS. PART IT. 



ZINGIBERACE^E. 

 Globba. 



Few of the species of this genus are of much importance in a 

 decorative point of view. 



1. G. subulata. Native of Chittagong, 



" Blossoms," Dr. Boxburgh says, " during the Hot season, with a 

 constant succession of flowers from the extremities of the lengthen- 

 ing branches of the panicles for nearly two months ; which renders 

 this lovely plant one of the most charming of the whole order I 

 have yet met with. Flowers small, beautifully purple, with the 

 lip deep orange yellow." 



2. G. spathulata. Native of Sylhet; described by Dr. Kox- 

 burgh as a beautiful species, with large azure-coloured radical 

 inflorescence ; blossoms in April, when the foliage appears. At 

 the beginning of the Cold season it perishes down to the root. 



Curcuma, 



TURMERIC. 



A numerous genus of plants with ginger-like roots, sending 

 up naked from the ground, about nine or ten inches high, thick 

 spikes of flowers, the principal beauty of which consists in the 

 large, gorgeous-coloured bracts. There is a great sameness 

 between many of the species. The following are perhaps those 

 most deserving of cultivation. 



1. C. Zerumbet. LONG ZEDOARY. Bears in April, before the 

 leaves make their appearance, flower-spikes with the terminal 

 tufts of barren bracts, contrasting prettily with the pale-yellow 

 and green of the lower fertile ones. Leaves large, lanceolate, 

 and handsome ; fragrant when bruised. 



2. C. Roscceana. Native of Pegu. Sir J. Paxton's description 

 of this plant is : 



" Floral envelopes gorgeous scarlet : blossoms yellow : continues 

 in flower more than two months without beginning to fade. Plants 

 kept in dull situations flower feebly, and are pale and dingy. It 

 requires strong solar light to elicit the scarlet colour of its 

 blossoms. A plant of dwarf habitude and noble foliage." 



3. C. comosa. Native of Burmah. Dr. Koxburgh says of 

 this species : 



" By far the most beautiful and the largest of the genus I have 



