148 Subtropical Gardening. 



in almost any kind of cool soil, and even on rubbish- 

 heaps. They are easily multiplied, either from seed or 

 by division of the tufts early in spring, or after the ripen- 

 ing of the seed. They usually sow themselves freely. 



*Heracleum eminens. A peculiarly distinct species, 

 easily known by the blunt or roundish lobes of its tri- 

 foliate leaves, which also possess the advantage of lasting 

 longer than the leaves of other kinds. They are of a 

 thick texture, and finely covered with velvety down, 

 which gives them a slightly glaucous appearance, whereby 

 they may also be distinguished. I have only seen the 

 plant in a young state in Paris gardens, and cannot say 

 what it is like when fully grown; but it is probably 

 dwarfer in stature and more compact in habit than most 

 of the other kinds, and, as the leaves last so much longer 

 in perfection, it is suited for grouping among choicer sub- 

 jects. For isolation on the grass, after the fashion of the 

 Acanthuses, etc., it is particularly well suited. Seed or 

 division. 



*Heracleum flavescens. A vigorous species, 5 ft 

 to 6 ft. high, with deeply-furrowed rough stems, and 

 convex green leaves, with ovate or oblong serrate divi- 

 sions. Flowers yellowish, in large umbels. Suitable for 

 banks of rivers or ponds, where effective foliage is desired. 

 S. Europe. Seed. 



*Heracleum persicum. A vigorous perennial, of 

 rapid growth and imposing dimensions, attaining a height 

 of more than 6-J ft., and bearing whitish flowers in um- 

 bels, the upper one of which is more than 16 ins. across. 

 The stem does not branch much, and the leaves are 

 chiefly radical and very large. Persia. 



