Mercurialis 



(70) 



Mesem bry antfiemum 



MKRCURIALIS. (MERCUKY.) 

 A small genus of herbaceous plants (ord. Eu- 

 phorbiacese) of no decorative value. Annua and 

 perennis are troublesome British weeds, and the 

 latter, the Dog's Mercury, has very poisonous pro- 

 perties. Cattle, however, will eat it, and deaths 

 from this cause are constantly occurring. For this 

 reason, if for no other, it should be pulled up from 

 the hedgerow, where it chiefly exists, whenever it is 

 seen. 



MESEMBRYANTHEMUM TIGKINUM (see p. 71). 



MERENDERA. 



Hardy bulbs (ord. Liliacese), closely allied to 

 Colchicum, and needing the same treatment. 



Principal Species and Varieties: 



Bulbocodimn. 3" to 4", Eichleri, close to cau- 

 casica, but segments of 

 flower have appendages 

 (nyn. Colchicum Eich- 

 leri). 



persica, Nov., hdy., lil., 

 fragrant, 1-J" to 2" 

 across (syn. Aitchisoni 

 of JSotanieal Magazine). 



aut., hdy., ro. lil. (tyn. 



Colchicum moiitanum) . 

 bulbocodioides, larger 



flowers, and a stronger 



grower, 

 qaucasica, 3", My., hdy., 



ro., pur. 



Other Species and Varieties : 

 Aitchisoni (see persica). sobolifera,3",spr., lil., re- 



caucasica ruthenica (now ferred to Colchicum 



Bulbocodiuni' rutheni- procurrens by some bo- 



cum or B. vemum ver- tanists. 



sicolor) . 



MERIANIA (s.yre. DANYA). (JAMAICA ROSE.) 

 Stove trees and shrubs (ord. Melastomaceae) from 



the West Indies and Tropical America. They may 



be treated like the Melastomas. 



Principal Species : 



lebcantha, 30', wh., crim. to ro., base pur. ; a 

 shrubby tree (syn. rosea). 



Other Species : 



Karstenii, sum., shr., deep red. 



MERTENSIA. 



Pretty herbaceous plants (ord. Boraginese), 

 generally hardy, and liking a rather peaty soil 



Mercury (see MerouriaKs}. 

 Meriana (of Trev, see Watsonia). 

 Meriana (of Vellozo, see Eroh'iihts). 



in slight shade, although they will grow in any 

 common soil. Propagation, by division in spring 

 or early autumn. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 

 pulmonarioides, U', My., sibirica, H', My., pur. bl. 



pur. bl. (SI/H. yirginica). alba, wh. 



Virginian' Cowslip. atro-caerulea, dark bl. 



Other Species : 



alpiua, 6" to 10", My., 

 pale bl. 



dahurica, 9", Je., bl. 



lanceolata, 6" to 1', My., 

 bl. (syii. alpina of Bo- 

 tanical Mayftzhtc 6178). 



maritima, Jy., procum- 



bent, bl. (syn. Pulmon- 



aria maritima) . Oyster 



Plant. 



oblougifolia, 9", spr., bl. 

 paniculata, H', Jy., pur. 



bl. (syn. Pulmouaria 



paniculata). 

 priinuloides, 9", spr., bl. 



MERULIUS. (DRY ROT FUNGUS.) 

 The fungus which generally causes dry rot is 

 Merulius lacrymans, and it is a troublesome pest 

 once it has got a footing in the woodwork of glass 

 or dwelling houses. The mycelium of the fungus 

 breaks down the tissue of the wood, and spreads 

 in large, dark coloured patches, which have the 

 power of attracting moisture. It spores freely 

 and spreads rapidly unless combated. Soaking 

 the woodwork with a strong solution of corrosive 

 sublimate, or sulphate of copper, is effective, but 

 as well seasoned wood is less liable to be attacked 

 than green, badly seasoned timber, it will be well 

 to employ the former only in greenhouse construc- 

 tion. 



MERYTA. 



A small genus (ord. Araliaceoe) of trees from the 

 Antipodes. They are seldom grown, but may be 

 treated like Aralias. 



Principal Species : 

 Deuhamii, 30' to 40', grh., 



Ivs. dark grn., lighter 



veins (nyii. Aralia reti- 



culata) . 

 latifolia, 50' to 60', Mch., 



grh., grn., yel., in 



clusters. 

 Sinclairii, 30", Ivs. large 



and oval, very scarce, 

 souchifolia, st., Ivs. dark 



grn., wh. spotted. 



MESEMBRYANTHEMUM. (Fie 

 MARIGOLD, NOON FLOWER.) 



Description. Interesting, and often beautiful, 

 rather fleshy plants (ord. Ficoidere) of herbaceous 

 or shrubby habit, and generally needing greenhouse 

 protection, although a few will live outdoors in 

 dry, sunny positions in the south. The flowers are 

 very brilliant, but the plants ought always to be 

 grown in full sun to show these properly. Cordi- 

 folium variegatum i.s a fine plant for bedding, 

 and crystallinum is much used for garnishing. 



Propagation. By cuttings of pieces pulled off 

 with a heel and laid on damp sand in the sun 

 under glass; also by seeds, sown in spring in a 

 greenhouse. Cuttings of cordifolium variegatum 

 should be inserted in ordinary soil and kept in dry 

 heat. 



Soil. Loam, sand, leaf soil or decayed manure 

 with a little lime rubbish will grow the Mesem- 

 bryanthemums well. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 

 acinaciforme, Aug., red; alba, wh. 



trailer. rosea, pk. 



caudens, Je., wh., pk. ; coccineum, 1', Jy., sc. 



trailer. conspicuum, 1', Aug., red. 



Mertemna, (of Wildenorv, see Glcichenia). 

 MesecJiites (see Eclntes). 



