Palmacece. 461 



culifera, Chamcerops excelsa, Ch. Fortunei^ Ch. humilis, and 

 Livistona austrdlis. 2. Species with feathery leaves : Jubcea 

 spectdbilis, nearly hardy ; Seaforthia elegans, and various 

 species of Phcenix and Cbcos. We ought to mention, however, 

 that scarcely any of these will retain their beauty except in 

 warm sheltered localities. Chamcerops humilis is the only 

 European species, and Ch. Fortunei, a native of China, is the 

 only species sufficiently hardy to withstand our winters in the 

 most favoured situations of the mildest parts of England. 



ORDER II. AHOIDE^E. 



Herbs with tuberous rhizomes, large radical usually net- 

 veined leaves, and spathaceous inflorescence. Flowers on a 

 spadix, unisexual or hermaphrodite. Perianth none, or con- 

 sisting of 4. to 8 hypogynous divisions. Stamens definite or in- 

 definite. Fruit baccate, one- or more celled, one- or more 

 seeded. A large order containing about 100 genera and 1,000 

 species, chiefly inhabiting tropical countries. We have three 

 representatives in our native flora. The commonest is Arum 

 maculatum, Lords-and-Ladies, or Cuckoo-Pint. A. Itdlicum 

 has only been observed in the South of England. Acorus 

 Calamus, Sweet Flag, has equitant ensiform leaves and a tall 

 compressed spathaceous scape, and a lateral spadix crowded 

 with very small bisexual flowers. It is rare and local in England. 

 The species worth introducing into the flower garden are 

 limited in number. 



1. CALLA. 



Aquatic or marsh plants with white spathes and cordate 

 leaves. The flowers are destitute of a perianth and either 

 unisexual or bisexual, and crowded at the summit of the 

 spadix. Berries red. A genus of few species inhabiting 

 Europe and North America. The name is from xaXos, beau- 

 tiful, in allusion to the spathe of some species. 



1. C. palustris. A dwarf creeping perennial aquatic or 

 marsh plant with cordate leaves on long petioles, and flat open 

 ribbed spathes. A native of Europe and North America, and 

 very pretty for introducing into small ponds or basins. 



Richdrdia ^Ethiopica, syn. Cdlla ^Ethiopica (fig. 223), 

 Trumpet Lily, so commonly seen in cottage windows, etc., will 



