DURANTA PLUMIERL 



NATURAL ORDER, VERBENACE^. 



ROM what I can learn about this shrub there are only two 

 varieties of it known in India, but both are very common, and 

 seem to grow in all parts of the country. I have classed it among 

 the shrubs of India, and in so doing am supported b)' Ferminger 

 and other good botanical authorities ; but, notwithstanding this, I have 

 seen it attain to the height of a small tree, and possibly in an uncultivated 

 state it may grow considerably higher and larger still. 



It is a showy, pretty bush, growing in a thick compact form, and 

 even when left unchecked it does not get straggling and unsightly as is 

 generally the case with the Flora of this country. 



Constant pruning and cutting back, however, improves these bushes, 

 and should be unsparingly administered. 



The leaves are bright and shining, and set the flowers off to great 

 advantage. Like man}' of the flowers of this order, taken singly they are 

 small and delicate, and might be passed over as insignificant ; but when 

 taken either in heads, like the ordinary Verbena, or in sprays, as in our 

 present subject, they are both striking and pleasing to the eye. 



This shrub looks green and fresh at all times, as not being deciduous 

 it retains its leaves, and when the flowers fall they are succeeded by 

 bright amber-coloured berries, making it a pretty object throughout the 

 year. The berries are about the size of those of Holly, but each berry 

 hangs separate, a short distance from the stem, instead of in a compact 

 bunch upon the stalk, as is the case with Holly. 



It is a common practice to make use of the Duranta as a hedge, for 

 which purpose it is admirably suited, being thick and thorny ; but it must 

 be kept low, and never allowed to shoot upwards. When treated in the 

 same manner as Box-edging is done at home it becomes almost, if not 

 entirely, impenetrable. 



The Duranta is a native of the West Indies, but it thrives in India 

 quite as well as many of the indigenous plants of that country. 



It is propagated by either cuttings or seeds, of which latter it bears 

 abundantly. 



Soil is of no importance to these plants, as, being very hardy, they 

 grow everywhere. 



One botanist, in writing on the "Duranta Plumieri," states it has the 

 perfume of almonds, but I have never been able to discover any scent 

 about either of the varieties ; nor is the fact mentioned by other botanical 

 authorities. 



The second variety of this shrub is called " Duranta Ellisii," and the 

 only perceptible difference between them is, that the flowers of this one 

 are white instead of blue. 



From a utilitarian point of view the Duranta, as far as I know, is of 

 no use or importance ; it possesses no qualities to render it of any value 

 either in pharmacy or otherwise. 



