574 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
a potent medicine). A genus containing about a dozen species of 
bulbous plants, with strap-shaped leaves, and umbellate white flowers 
on tall scapes. The flowers are tubular, with a funnel-shaped perianth of 
six narrow lobes and a cup or false corona, which is sometimes produced 
into two teeth or lobes. The principal species are those named below. 
Pancratium illyriewm (introduced from South Europe, 1615) has 
broad, strongly-veined, strap-like leaves, and fragrant flowers, with 
somewhat short tube; scapes about 14 foot high. P. maritumum 
(introduced from South Europe, 1759) is taller (2 feet), with narrower 
persistent leaves, and very fragrant flowers, with exceedingly long tubes, 
in large umbels. Both flower in June, and in the West of England 
both may be grown out of doors, but in other districts P. maritumum 
requires the protection of a frame or cool greenhouse. For pot-culture 
they should be grown in a compost consisting of turfy loam, two parts, 
peat, one part, and leaf-mould, one part, with the addition of a little 
silver sand. They require plenty of water when growing, and a little 
even when at rest. Outdoor specimens should be planted deeply, and 
the surface covered with protective material in winter. 
ASPIDISTRAS 
Natural Order LiniacEz. Genus Aspidistra 
AspipisTRA (Greek, aspidision, a little shield; the form of the flower). 
A small genus of smooth evergreen herbs, with creeping stems, oblong, 
lance-shaped leaves, and solitary, stalkless, dull purple flowers. The 
perianth is bell-shaped, cleft into six or eight lobes; the stamens are six 
or eight, inserted in the broad perianth-tube. There is a small cylindrical 
ovary, surmounted by a short, thick style, terminated by a large umbrella- 
like rayed stigma, which almost entirely fills the mouth of the perianth. 
The species are natives of China and Japan. 
ASPIDISTRA ELATIOR (taller). Leaves large, oblong, 
sparc leathery, 1} to 2 feet high. Introduced from Japan, 1835. 
A. LURIDA (lurid). Leaves leathery, oblong, lance-shaped, 1 to 14 
foot high. Flowers purple and yellow. Introduced from China, 1822. 
Plate 266. The var. variegata has leaves with alternating stripes of 
white and green. It is much grown as a pot foliage-plant. 
tack A. LURIDA is very nearly hardy, but it is best used as 
tivation. ‘ . 
a pot-plant for conservatory, window, and table decoration. 
It bears the dust and dry heat of dwelling-rooms better than most 
