Amaryllidece Bomarea. 493 



10. BOMAREA. 



Is of close affinity with the preceding genus and from the 

 same regions, differing mainly in the climbing habit and tri- 

 angular seed-pod, which instead of 'splitting to the base opens 

 at the top only. Some of the 

 species possess about the same 

 degree of hardiness as the hardiest 

 Alstroemerias. B. Salsilla (fig. 243) 

 is a pretty twining plant with 

 glabrous leaves and purple flowers 

 about half an inch long, the two 

 upper and inner segments having a 

 darker spot at the base, and all of 

 them tinged with green towards the 

 points. 



11. AGAVE. 



A noble genus of succulent or 

 fleshy -leaved plants with a tall 

 branched inflorescence resembling 

 a huge candelabrum. Perianth 

 funnel - shaped, persistent, of six 

 nearly equal divisions. Stamens 



J . ^ . Fig. 243. Bomarea Salsilla. (J nat. size.) 



exceeding the expanded perianth. 



The name is from the Greek a<yavbf, in allusion to the stately 

 habit of many species They are chiefly natives of Mexico and 

 South America. The best known is A. Americana, but this is 

 only hardy in the south-western counties of England. It is 

 almost stemless, with very massive fleshy spinose crowded leaves 

 from 3 to 6 feet long, which are of many years' duration. It is 

 essentially monocarpic, but it is usually many years before it 

 reaches maturity. The inflorescence attains a height of 20 or 30 

 feet, bearing many hundreds of erect yellowish flowers. This 

 plant is commonly known as the American Aloe, and is usually 

 grown in tubs to admit of giving it shelter the more readily in 

 Winter. It is exceedingly ornamental, and is a very striking 

 object in a large garden, especially the variegated variety. 



