^^'m, \ ' ' ASPARAGUS 



ORNA3MENTAL, SPECIES 



A. viedeoloides {Myrsiphylhwi asparagoides), popu- 

 larly^ known as Sniilax. — For many years this has been, 

 and is yet, one of the most commonly grown and the 

 most serviceable of the plants used by florists as 

 " green." It is readily grown from seed in the green- 

 house. While a few other species of asparagus have 

 been close rivals, it is yet unexcelled for many pur- 

 poses of floral decorations, 



A. plumosus (the plumy asparagus). — A very 

 graceful climbing plant which for finer decoration has 

 largely taken the place of smilax, its foliage being finer 

 than that of the most delicate ferns, and will last for 

 weeks after being cut. The whole plant is of a 

 bright, cheerful green. Its branches spread horizon- 

 tall)', and branch again in such a manner as to form a 

 flat, frond-like arrangement, the leaves being very 

 numerous, in cluster^ " about a dozen, bright green, 

 and one-half inch 1' j. A native of South Africa, 

 where it climbs c / x bushes and branches in moist 

 situations. There are several named varieties of this, 

 most of which have originated in gardens. The most 

 distinct are A. temiissimus and A. phimosxis na7uis, the 

 fern-like appearance of which is seen in Fig. 2. 



A. Sprengeri. — This is one of the best and most 

 attradlive house plants of recent introdu(5lion. It is 

 of graceful form and habit when grown as a pot plant, 

 but it is equally well suited for planting in hanging 

 baskets. Its fronds are frequently four feet long, of a 

 rich shade of green, and very useful for cutting, retain- 

 ing their freshness for weeks after being cut. As a 



