Polyachyrus 



( 220 ) 



Polygonatum 



is the more common. It also accounts very largely 

 for the succession of expanding flowers. Flowers 

 adapted to wind pollination are called Anemo- 

 philous, and notable examples are the inconspicuous 

 ones of Grasses, the Oak and the Hazel, Conifers, 

 etc. ; those adapted to pollination by insects are 

 described as Entomophilous, and the Orchids, 

 Legumes, and Labiates are examples of this group. 

 In plants with Anemophilous (lowers pollen is 

 prodigally produced, and there are often floral 

 arrangements for entrapping the wind-borne grains. 

 Self-pollination occurs in comparatively few flowers, 

 and may be brought about by contact between the 

 stigma and anther, or the dehiscence of anthers 

 above a receptive stigma. Violets and a few other 

 subjects, besides producing the showy blossoms, also 

 have inconspicuous ones that do not expand; in 

 these self-pollination takes place, and fertilisation 

 follows. Water is the agent by which pollination 

 is effected in a few plants a striking example is 

 the half-hardy Eel Grass (Vallisneria spiralis). 

 (See also HYBRIDISATION, ORCHID HYBRIDISA- 

 TION, and POLLEN.) 



POLYACHYRUS. 



Half-hardy herbaceous perennials (ord. Com- 

 positje). Propagation, in spring, by division, or by 

 cuttings of the new growths in sandy loam. Soil, 

 light, sandy loam. Winter protection is essential. 



Principal Species : 



Pceppigii, 5', Je., bl. 



POLYALTHIA. 



Tall-growing stove trees (ord. AnonaceEc). Prop- 

 agation, by cuttings of half-ripened wood in spring 

 in very sandy peat, beneath a bell-glass, over 

 bottom heat. Soil, rich, fibrous loam and sand. 



Principal Species : 

 cerasoides, (iO f , sura., grn. suberosa, 30', sum., wh. 



(xyn. Guatteria ceras- (*.(/". Guatteria suber- 



oides). osa). 



POLYANTHUS. 



Description. The Polyanthus (nni. Primulacefe) 

 is one of the prettiest and most prized of the spring 

 flowers. For spring bedding, from its neat habit, 

 it is of much value, and it makes a fine display 

 either massed, in lines, or arranged with other 

 flowers in a mixed border. The Polyanthus is 

 generally considered to be the result of a cross 

 between the Primrose and Cowslip; it possesses 

 the large, upright, open flowers of the former with 

 the bunch-flowered habit of the latter. The Gold- 

 laced varieties were much in vogue among florists 

 for some time, but there are now few grown. 

 They are very beautiful, but are better adapted 

 for growing in pots in frames than in the open 

 eround. For the latter purpose, good self-coloured 

 Polyanthuses are the best. 



Propagation. The Gold laced and named 

 Polyanthuses by division in August. The others 

 are usually raised from seeds, which produce more 

 vigorous plants than those from division. The 

 seeds may be sown as soon as ripe in pots or pans 

 in a cold frame, or kept until spring and sown 

 then. The seeds germinate irregularly, and the 

 seed pans should be kept for late-germinating 

 plants, as these are often of good quality. 



Soil. Common garden soil, rich, rather moist, 

 and a partially shaded position. 



Other Cultural Points. Polyanthuses in pots 

 should be treated like Auriculas, which see. 



Varieties. Besides the Gold-laced, there are 

 Self-coloured crimsons, yellows, and whites, which 

 come almost true from seed, Hose-in-hose, and a 

 few double Polyanthuses. (See ahn PRIMULA.) 



POLYCALYMNA. 



Half-hardy perennials herbs (mil. Composite). 

 Propagation, by division or seeds in spring. 

 Ordinary garden soil. 



Only Species : 



Stuartii, 1', spr., sum., wh. (now Myriocephalus 

 Stuartii). 



POLYCARPJEA. 



Hardy annuals or perennials (ord. Caryophyl- 

 le:u). Propagation, by division or seeds. Soil, 

 sandy loam. 



Principal Species : 



m-istata, 6", Je., wh. latifolia, 4", Je., wh. 



micropliylla, 3", Je., wh. 



(*iin. guaphalioides). 



POLYCYCNIS. 



A small genus of stove epiphytes (ord. Orchid- 

 acea;), closely related to Cycnoohes, which see for 

 culture. The flowers are borne in racemes, and 

 their peculiar formation brings them under the 

 popular title of Swan Orchids. 



Principal Species : 

 barbata, 1', Je., wh., pk. lepida, 1', sum., br., yel., 



(*.'/. Cycnoches bar- spotted br. , wh. 



batum). 



Other Species : 

 gratiosa, 1', sum., brown- (*.'/. Cycuoches mus- 



ish pur., droopiug. ciferum). 



Lelmiaimii, 9", sum., yel., vittata, 1', sum., yel., 



spotted rosy pur. " brownish red (xyn. 



musuit'era, 1' , Jy., br. Houlletia vittata). 



POLYGALA. 



A large genus (ord. Polygalere), comprising hardy 

 annuals, hardy perennials, and hardy and tender 

 shrubs and sub-shrubs. Propagation, by seeds 

 sown in sandy peat for the annuals, by division 

 for the hardy perennials, and by cuttings under 

 a hand-light or in heat for the shrubby species. 

 Soil, fibrous peat three parts, fibrous loam one part, 

 with sharp sand ; pot firmly. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 

 Cliuma'lnixus, 6", sum., myrtifolia grandiflora, 3' 



lidy. sub-shr., creamy to G', spr., grli., pur. 



yel., tipped pur. (XI/H. dalmaisiana). 



purpurea, Ivs. pur. virguta, 4', sum., grh. 



graudit'olia, 1', spr., wh., shr., pur. 



ro. (SI/H. hilariana). - speciosa, finer than 



type. 



Other Species : 

 cordifolia (see oppositi- oppositifolia, 3', Je., pur., 



folia var. ). yellowish grn. ; cordi- 



dalmaisiaua (see myrti- folia and latifolia are 



folia var.). vars. 



Galpinii, 3' to 5', Sep., Senega, 1', spr., hdy. per., 



grh., ro., lil. pur. 



grandiflora (see myrtifolia speciosa (sec virgata var.). 



var.). vulgaris, 6", Je., hdy. 



latifolia (see oppositifolia per., wh. or bl. 



var.). 



POLYGONATUM. (SOLOMON'S SEAL.) 



Pretty, hardy herbaceous perennials (ord. Lilia- 



ceae), which are of great beauty in borders, 



Polybotrya (see Acrostirliiini). 

 l'oh/fnr/w (sec Idt-sln). 

 Poli/cliilos (see Phulienojtsis). 



