RUSSELIA JUNCEA. 



NATURAL ORDER, SCROPHULARIACE^. 



^?^Jp^^ S far as I have been able to ascertain there are only two 

 varieties of this plant met with in India. The " Russelia 

 Juncea," which is depicted in the opposite plate, is certainly 

 the most common, and becomes almost a weed during the 

 rains, when ever}' portion that touches the ground takes root, thereby 

 considerably extending and increasing the size of the original bush. 



It is an extremely handsome plant, being of a bushy appearance 

 with tubular bright scarlet flowers, which grow in great profusion on 

 its rush-like stems. 



The flowers vary in length from half an inch to an inch, and have 

 a sort of open lip at the termination. 



The general appearance is very pleasing, as there are no harsh 

 or angular stems or stalks to offend the eye ; but the whole bush looks 

 like a graceful feathery mass of a bright green hue, spangled over with 

 the above-named brilliant tube-like flowers. 



It is necessary to prune this bush well when not in blossom, or it 

 soon gets beyond bounds. 



It is propagated either by division of roots or by layers, which, as 

 before remarked, take most easily. 



This plant is often grown in hothouses in England, but its treat- 

 ment there is totally different, and would never answer in this hot 

 climate. It is usually placed in hanging baskets, from which it droops 

 in a picturesque manner ; but this treatment would be unsuccessful in 

 India from want of sufficient moisture and depth of earth for the roots. 



It is a peculiarity about this plant worthy of remark that it has 

 no green leaves of any size or importance ; the entire bush, which is 

 about three or four feet high, consists of green reed-like stems upon 

 which the flowers grow. 



I have never been able to obtain seeds from the Russelia, though 

 I often watched for the seed capsules to form ; but it was only curiosity 

 that prompted me to do so, as propagation is so easy in other ways. 

 F^rom its light and feathery appearance this plant is a great addition 

 to a bouquet, especially when the flowers are out in perfection. 



It is a hardy plant on the whole and will grow in almost any soil, 

 but is much improved by irrigation. 



It requires a good deal of water, but if allowed to lodge or rest 

 among the roots they ver)' soon rot and the plant is destroyed. 



" Russelia Floribunda," the second variety, bears very little resem- 

 blance to the foregoing plant ; the flowers are the same colour and 

 shape, but are borne in crowded bunches along and at the head of every 

 stem. This variety is also more constantly in blossom. 



If grown in pots these plants must be often taken up and the roots 

 divided ; but they are much more suited to a border or shrubbery where 

 there is space to show off their handsome feathery appearance. 



