BOUGAINVILL^AS 473 



duced from California, 1823. Greenhouse perennial, grown as half-hardy 

 annual, 

 cultivation. Abronias require to be grown in sandy soil in a sunny 



position. If grown as annuals they must be raised from 

 seeds (divested of their tough outer coats) sown in autumn in pots of 

 sandy soil. They must be wintered in a frame, and planted out in 

 spring. For after-growth in the greenhouse as perennials they may 

 be potted in autumn and taken inside. In the following spring these old 

 plants may be used for the production of cuttings, which should be 

 inserted in sandy soil and struck in the frame or greenhouse. 



BOUGAINVILL^AS 



Natural Order Nyctaginej^. Genus BoiujainviUcea 



BouGAiNViLLEA (named in honour of the French navigator De Bougain- 

 ville). A genus of seven or eight gorgeous stove or greenhouse shrubs, 

 with alternate leaves, and small tubular flowers surrounded with large 

 coloured bracts. These bracts are the chief glory of the plant. The 

 species are restricted to the warmer regions of America. 

 Principal Species. BOUGAINVILL^A GLABRA (smooth). Stem climbing. 



"Leaves oval, smooth or hairy, bright green. Flowers small, 

 in panicles, each panicle enclosed in three large heart-shaped rosy bracts ; 

 June to September. Introduced from Brazil, 1861. Stove or w^arm con- 

 servatory. Var. sanderiana is more floriferous, especially in a small 

 state, than the type. 



B. SPECTABILIS (handsome). Stems branched, with numerous re- 

 curved spines. Leaves oval, very dark green, hairy above. Floral-bracts, 

 large, heart-shaped, lilac-rose, in numerous very large panicles; March to 

 June. Introduced from Brazil, 1861. Also known as B. speciosa. Var. 

 lateritia is remarkable for the brick-red colour of the bracts. Greenhouse, 

 ciutivation. Bougainvillwas are plants for the stove or greenhouse 



border, but B. glabra may also be grown in pots. Those 

 planted out must have their roots restricted, or they will not flower so 

 freely. The most suitable compost consists of turfy loam, three parts; leaf- 

 mould, one part ; sharp gritty sand, one part, or sufficient to keep the 

 whole open. Attention must be paid to efficient drainage of the bed or 

 pot, and manure must not be given except in a liquid form. Freedom 

 of growth should be allowed without any stopping or pinching back ; but 

 they must be allowed to rest by withholding water in winter, and about 



