WAX FLOWERS 381 



Stapelia Asterias (Starfish). Startisli Flower. 

 Principal Species, g^^^^^j^^^ erect, numerous, 6 inches high. The flowers arc 

 laro-e, the lobes of the corolla lance-sliaped, oblique, the edges turned 

 back, violet coloured deepcninu into ])U)|)le towards centre of flower and 

 barred with yellowish striiH>. May in Xovi'iuber. Introduced 1795. 



The following are also in culti\ ation :— .S'. a))(juinc«, yellow and 

 re.l: S. lnifoala,moii\oA like a t(.a.l : N. ,7;./" /'/"', llowurs pale y^'llow 

 an.l brown, nearly a foot in .lianieter ; X A n-snfo. S. sn^rlo. S. fs^nnur^si^, 

 and>^.^./f.'/,/, stems erect, flowers da.-k purpl. covrivd with Jon- silk- 

 like liairs. 



The chief point in the cultivation of ."^tapelias is the 

 lenhouse temperature and a thoroughly drained soil. 

 This should be composed of sandy loam with an equal quantity of old 

 brick, broken not too finely. They should be placed on the upper shelf 

 of the greenhouse where they may obtain plenty of air and sunshine. 

 In watering care must be taken to give no more than necessary, and in 

 winter it should be almost withheld. S. gujantea is a stove plant, and 

 thrives best when planted in a pan and suspended near the roof. Pro- 

 pagation is effected by cuttings, which should be left on the potting- 

 board until the cut portion has ealluscd before inserting in pots. 



WAX FLOWERS 



Natural Order A.sCLtriADE.E. Gennis Ihnjo 



HOYA (named in honour of T. Hoy, F.L.S., a gardtner, who <lird 1821). 

 X genus of about fifty species of sto\ e or grc^-nlnjusr shrub.s with opposite, 

 often fleshy, leaves, and flowers in lateral drooping uiiibrls. The corolla 

 is wheel-shaped, the five lobt's being somewhat egg-shai)cd. The species 

 arc found in Wt-stcrn Asia, Tropical and Sub-tro])ical Australia, but 

 chiefly in Malaya Most of tliem are worthy of cultivation, but we can 



Hov.v iJEi.LA (Ix-autiful) Stems slender, about 18 

 Principal Species . , , . , . , ,1111 t-m 1 • 



inches high, with small dark le.ives. P lowers waxy white 

 with a crimson corona, in mauy-iiowered umbels. Introduced from 

 Imlia, J 847. 



H. CARXOSA (lleshy). Wax FloWi-r. Stems rooting and climbing 

 like Ivy. Leaves fi<-shV, oval-(^blong. Flowers pinkish, very wax-like, 

 on downy footstalks, in" drooping umbels: July to September. Intro- 

 duced from Queeuslau<l, 1802. '{'here is a form witii variegated leaves. 



