544 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
Description of Karatas Scheremetiewi, one-third of the natural size. 
te249. Fig. 1 is an enlarged flower removed from the cluster, 
showing the overlapping bracts ; 2, the same with bracts removed, show- 
ing the calyx ; 3, a section of the same. 
ACHMEAS 
Natural Order BROMELIACEH. Genus A’chmea 
AXcuMEa (Greek aichme, the point of a spear: in allusion to the lobes of 
the calyx). A genus of about one hundred and thirty species of stove per- 
ennials with sword-shaped, or strap-shaped, leaves, and spikes or panicles 
of flowers supported on tall scapes. These flowers consist of a six-parted 
perianth, of which the outer three are sepaloid, much shorter than the 
inner petaloid three. Stamens six; ovary three-celled, becoming a some- 
what globular berry. The general disposition of leaves is like that of 
Karatas, rosette-like, the flower-scape rising from the centre. ‘Some of 
the species are epiphytal on the trunks of trees in the dense forests of 
South America, to which region the genus is confined. 
ARCHMEA CALYCULATA (having calyx). Leaves strap- 
shaped, 2 feet long, marginal prickles minute, pale green. 
Flowers bright yellow, with a false calyx of red bracts ; in roundish heads 
on a tall scape. Introduced from Brazil, 1862. 
i. CHLESTIS (sky-blue). Leaves strap-shaped, 2 feet long, spiny- 
edged. Flowers sky-blue, in pyramidal panicles 14 foot long; winter. 
Introduced from Brazil, 1870. 
“E.. DISCOLOR (two-coloured). Leaves broad, with toothed edges and 
purple under-side. Flowers scarlet, in branching panicle; June. Intro- 
duced from Brazil, 1842. 
4B. DISTICHANTHA (flowers two-ranked). Leaves glaucous, armed 
with reddish brown spines, and ending in a sharp point. Flowers in 
panicles, with bright red bracts ; sepals rose, petals purple. Introduced 
from South Brazil, 1852. 
AR. FASCIATA (banded). Leaves broad, banded with white ; recurved. 
Flowers rosy pink, each with a similarly coloured spiny-edged bract ; in 
a dense head. Introduced from Rio Janeiro, 1826. 
4. FULGENS (glowing). Leaves somewhat sword-shaped. Flowers 
rich red and pink, the sepals tipped with purple-blue ; panicle branching ; 
scape deep red, with a few large membranous bracts; August and 
September. Introduced from Cayenne, 1842. Plate 250 
Principal Species. 
