Lucanus 



Luisia 



LUCANUS. 



To the entomologist the Stag Beetle (Lucanus 

 cervus) is interesting because it is the largest of 

 British beetles, specimens 3" long being quite 

 common. To the horticulturist it is of note 

 because its larva? occasionally burrow in living 

 Oaks and Willows, although they usually prefer 

 dead wood. The beetles are furnished with very 

 powerful jaws, and the head-processes bear some 

 resemblance to the horns of a stag, whence the 

 name Stag Beetle. The female is rather smaller 

 than the male, and in both cases head, thorax, 

 and legs are black, with dark brown wing cases 

 bordered with black. Although plentiful in a few 

 localities, Stag Beetles are not generally abundant, 

 and the damage they do is comparatively small. 

 Extracting the feeding larva; from their lairs by 

 means of a sharp, hooked wire is the best method 

 of catching them where they are found to be 

 working mischief. 



LUCULIA. 



Of the two species which go to make up this 

 genus (ord. Rubiacese), one, gratissima, is a well- 

 known greenhouse flowering shrub of great beauty. 

 The second species, pinceana, is very close to 

 gratissima, but, although it has larger and more 

 fragrant flowers, it is, for some reason, not so 

 general a favourite. 



Propagation. Cuttings of the young shoots 

 which are beginning to get firm may be rooted 

 with varying success if taken towards the end 

 of June, inserted in sandy soil, and kept close 

 in a gently heated frame. The conditions of 

 shade and moisture must, however, be equable, 

 and nicely adjusted, or not 10 per cent, of the 

 cuttings will strike. Raising plants from seed 

 finds favour in some quarters, but seedlings are 

 often rather tardy in flowering. 



Soil. Fibrous loam and peat, in equal parts, 

 with one-sixth sharp sand. 



Other Cultural Points. The plants must be 

 potted firmly and well drained, as copious supplies 

 of water are needed during the summer. Lnculias, 

 however, do best when planted out in a prepared 

 bed, for they not only grow more strongly, but the 

 flowers are much finer. The blooms are borne in 

 huge trusses on the points of the young shoots. 

 Pruning should be done in the winter, and old 

 plants may then be cut hard back to the old wood 

 the spur system answers admirably. Luculias 

 may either be grown as standards or, better still, 

 trained to a wall. Mea,ly bug is the chief enemy, 

 and the old wood should be well brushed over in 

 winter with a solution of Gishurst Compound. 



Only Species : 



gratissima, 9' to 16', aut., 

 ro. (see p. 35). 



pinceana, 9' to 16', aut., 

 ro. 



LUCUMA. 



A large genus (ord. Sapotacese) of stove trees 

 and shrubs of curious appearance, none of which 

 enter into British gardening. 



LUDIA. 



Two species go to make up this genus (ord. 

 Bixineas). Both are evergreen stove shrubs. Cut- 

 tings of semi-matured shoots may be rooted in 



Lnbinia (see Lijsimacliia). 



sand in a close propagating frame having bottom 

 heat. Soil, loam and peat in equal parts, with 

 sand. 



Principal Species : 



sessiliHora, 8' to 12', Jy., lieterophylln of Bory 

 Aug., yel. (now Aphloia inaurit- 



iana). 



LUDOVIA. 



Two species of stove plants (ord. Cyclanthacese) 

 allied to C'aiiudovica, like which they may be 

 treated. 



Principal Species : 



crenifolia, St., Ivs. 1J' long, grn., leathery; a 

 distinct foliage plant. 



LUEDDEMANNIA. 



This genus of Orchids (ord. Orchidacere) was 

 formerly included with Cycnoches. The two 

 essential points of cultivation are plenty of water 

 during the growing season, and a thorough rest. 

 (For cultural details, see CYCNOCHES.) 



Principal Species : 



1'tscatorei, Jy., yel., br. pnuderi;ina, cream, pur. 

 (.v//;/.s. Aciueta glauca blotches, 



and Cycnoches 1'esca- triloba, yel., br. blotches, 

 torei). 



LUEHEA (syn. LUHF.A). 



Stove trees, allied to the Sparmannias (ord. 

 Tiliacese), of handsome appearance, but rarely 

 seen in cultivation. Cuttings of the half-ripened 

 shoots may be rooted in sand in bottom heat. Soil, 

 loam and peat in equal parts, with one-sixth sand. 

 Of the sixteen species which have been described, 

 probably only paniculata is in cultivation in this 

 country. 



Principal Species : 



paniculata, 10' to 20', St., Mch., Apr., ro., wh. 



LUFFA. (VEGETABLE SPONGE.) 



Tropical Gourds (ord. Cucurbitacea;) of annual 

 duration. They are remarkable for their large 

 and curious-looking fruits, of which the inner 

 fibrous network enclosing the seeds is dried, soft- 

 ened, and used as sponges in tropical countries. It 

 forms the Luffa (or Loofah) sponges of commerce. 

 Plants may be easily raised from seeds sown in 

 spring in brisk heat, the plants afterwards receiv- 

 ing similar treatment to that accorded to Melons. 

 When in fruit they look very ornamental depend- 

 ing from the roof of the stove. Soil, three parts 

 of good loam and one part of leaf mould. Plenty 

 of water is needed at all times. 



Principal Species : 



acutangula (SI/H. fo-tkla 



of Uotaiiical Magazine 



1638). 

 eegyptiaca, fruit 5" to 12" 



long, club shaped ; 

 plant cultivated in 

 many parts of the 

 tropics (-'//N. cyliwh'ica). 



LUISIA (*'/*. BIRCHEA and MESOCLASTES). 



Stove epiphytal Orchids (rd. Orchidacerc), with 

 cylindrical leaves, and flowers produced in clusters 

 at the sides of the stems. They may be grown on 

 a block oC wood, packed in here and there with a 

 little living sphagnum, or placed in shallow Teak 

 baskets filled with crocks surfaced with sphagnum. 

 Plenty of water is needed in summer. Propagation 

 is by division, and by imported pieces. 



Ludiiia (see Samaria). 



Ludm-ia of Persoon (see CarJiidavica). 



