224 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
in 1733. M. nuda and M. ornata followed from Missouri nearly eighty 
years later, and the next year (1812) saw the introduction of I. 
oligosperma from Louisiana. M. hispida came from Mexico (1820), 
M. albescens from Chili (1831), M. Lindleyi from California (1834), and 
M. bartonioides from the Western States in 1849. WU. albicauls, a 
white-stemmed, low, branching plant, produces oily seeds which are’ 
pounded by the American Indians and used in the production of a kind 
of cake for food. — 
MENTZELIA ALBESCENS (becoming white). em 
a shining, 1 to 4 feet high. Leaves with wavy teeth 
Flowers in a leafy panicle; petals ten, pale yellow; July. Biennial. 
M. BARTONIOIDES (Bartonia-like). Stems succulent, 1 foot high. 
Leaves broadly heart-shaped, lobed and toothed. Flowers solitary; 
petals five, sulphury yellow, paler beneath ; June to August. Half-hardy 
annual, 
M. Lixpiey1 (Lindley’s). Stems 2 to 3 feet high; branches phe 
Leaves deeply cut into narrow lobes in a pinnate manner. Flowers en 
five golden-yellow petals, red at the base; June to August. Ann 
A splendid plant for borders. : 
M. oRNATA (adorned). Stems 2 feet high. Leaves with large, 
jagged teeth, bristly. Flowers large, white, petals ten, closed all day, 
opening only in the evening, when it becomes fragrant ; July to Septem: 
Catinveied Ordinary garden soil will be found age eeable oo 
Species of Mentzelia, but where a choice is possible 1e i 
be light and the position sunny. They are propagated by seed, ee 
should be sown in April in gentle heat; or in a sunny border ou 
May. When sufficiently grown the April-sown plants should be pot d 
singly in small pots and brought on in a cool greenhouse, hardened, a 
then planted in bed or border. Those sown out of doors had better t. 
left where sown, but of course they will need to be carefully thinned ee 
M. Lindleyi is quite hardy, and may be grown out of doors in the of 2 
way as Mignonette or Virginian Stock. From the large size se ee : 
abundance of its golden flowers, it is one of the brightest and page : 
hardy annuals. It is also a useful plant for cultivation in pots for 
decoration of the conservatory, requiring a light rich soil and frame 
treatment until it flowers, » thle 
Description of The upper portion of a stem of MM entzeliaLindley? ee Be 
miate2i® flowers and unopened buds. The separate figures gee es 
section through flower; 2, seed, natural size and enlarged; * © 
seedling. . 
