PLUMBAGOS 



355 



germinated in a cold frame. A. maritima and similar species are best 

 multiplied by division of the tufts, which may be pursued almost 

 indefinitely, a clump about 4 inches across dividing into hundreds of little 

 tufts, each with a stout base, which easily roots under a hand-glass, or with- 

 out, if the soil is not too dry. A. latifolia does not succeed so well when 

 divided. The best compost for them is sandy loam and leaf-mould, but 

 they will succeed in most garden soils. A. juniperifolia prefers a very 

 sandy soil, well-drained and with bits of sandstone to root among. A. 

 maritima makes a splendid edging, as it is always the same height, and 

 requires no clipping ; it has the fault, however, of getting too broad, and 

 must be thinned out from time to time. 

 Description of A small tuft of Armeria maritima, two-thirds of the 



Plate 169. natural size. The separate figures are— 1, head of flowers 

 cut through ; 2, an unopened flower showing the silvery calyx and attached 

 bract ; 3, flower open ; 4, section of flower. Fig. 1 is slightly, Figs. 2-4 

 considerably, enlarged. 



PLUMBAGOS 



Xatural Order Plumbagixe.e. Genus Plamhafjo 



Plumbago (Latin 2^luriihum,, lead, the plant being considered by Pliny 

 to be an antidote for the lead disease). A genus including about ten species 

 of mostly perennial herbs or sub-shrubs, with alternate leaves and 

 showy flowers. Calyx tubular, five-toothed, glandular ; corolla salver- 

 shaped, five-lobed, stamens attached beneath the ovary. They are 

 natives of the warmer regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

 Principal Species. . ^LUMBAGO CAPENSIS (Cape of Good Hope). Stem 

 ridged, 2 or 3 feet. Leaves oblong or spoon-shaped, entire. 

 Flowers pale blue in one-sided terminal clusters; corolla-tube three times 

 the length of calyx; continuously throughout summer and autumn. 

 Stove or greenhouse. Introduced from the Cape, 1818. There is a white- 

 flowered var. alha. 



P. EUROP.EA (European). Stem erect, branched, 3 feet high. Leaves 

 oval or lance-shaped Flowers violet-rose, clustered at ends of branches ; 

 corolla about twice the length of calyx ; September. Hardy. Introduced 

 from Europe, 1596. 



P. ROSEA (rosy). Stem slender, erect, branched above ; finely ridged, 

 2 feet high. Leaves large, oblong, wedge-shaped at base, and stem- 

 clasping. Flowers rosy scarlet, U to 2 inches long; corolla-tube four 



