210 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
rooms, ete. In the South and South-West of Britain, P. Granatwm may be 
grown out of doors, but it should have a warm sunny position. In other 
parts of the country, large pots or tubs are more suitable for it, as these 
may be kept in the greenhouse and put out of doors in hot sunny 
weather. The soil for potting should be a rich loam, the richer the 
better. It may be propagated by means of cuttings, layers, or suckers. 
Description of e extremity of a flowering shoot of Punica 
te10l. Granatwm is here shown. The flowers come in clusters of 
two, three, four, or five. Fig. 1 is a section through a flower from which 
the petals have been removed. 
PURPLE LOOSESTRIFES 
Natural Order LyTHRARIEZ. Genus Lythrum 
Lytarum (Greek, lythron, blood, gore, in reference to the colour of the 
flowers). A genus consisting of about a dozen species of herbs or small 
shrubs, with four-angled branches and entire leaves. Flowersredor purple, 
axillary, producing honey. Calyx-tube straight, cylindric, with eight or 
twelve teeth and ribs. Petals four or six. Stamens eight or twelve; 
ovary two-celled, with thread-like style. The species are distributed 
throughout the Tropical and Temperate regions of the earth. 
Sdlicipaiigecies. LyroruM GRra&FFERI (Greeffer’s). Stems trailing, 1 to 
3 feet. Leaves narrow-oblong, lower ones opposite oF 
all alternate. Flowers bright pink, solitary in the axils of all the upp® 
leaves, on short footstalks; June to October. Native of South Europe. 
L. SaricartA (Willow-like). Rootstock creeping. Stems 2 to 5 feet, 
branched, four- or six-angled. Leaves lance-shaped, opposite or whorled. 
Flowers an inch across, red-purple, in spiked racemes ; J uly to September. 
On different individuals three different forms of flowers will be found, © 
the differences being in the length of the styles and stamens, and relating 
to their cross-fertilisation by insect agency. Native perennial. There 
are two varieties in cultivation: var. rosewm and var. superbum. 
tases Lythrums are easily grown in ordinary garden soil, but 
a damp position should be given if possible to L. Salacarvt, 
which grows chiefly along riversides. It is a charming plant for the 
edges of lakes or ponds. L. Greefferi, from its trailing habit, looks well 
in a hanging basket or a garden vase. Propagation is best achieved by 
means of seeds or division. 
