426 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS 



SPE 



now rarely met, though deserving a place in 

 the border. They grow readUy from seed, 

 and a succession of sowing will keep up a con- 

 tinuance of bloom during the whole summer. 

 One of the species, S. p&rfoliata, is a native of 

 this country ; the others are from central and 

 southern Europe. 

 Speedwell. See Veronica. 

 Spergula pilifera. A synonym for Sagina piU 



ifera, which see. 

 Spha'cele. From aphakos, the Greek name of 

 Sage, which these plants resemble in foliage. 

 Nat. Ord. LabiatcB. 



A genus of green-house shrubby plants, 

 natives of western America, fi-om BrazU and 

 Chili to California. A few species have been 

 introduced, but are seldom found in cultiva- 

 tion. S. Lindleyi, which has ovate, cordate 

 leaves,woolly beneath, is sometimes cultivated 

 under the name of Slachys Salvice. 

 Sphaeralcea. Globe Mallow. From ^haira, a 

 globe, and Alcea, Marsh-mallow, the carpels 

 are disposed in a round head. A genus of 

 green-house or hardy shrubs or herbs resem- 

 bling Malva in habit, natives of the warm 

 regions of America and the Cape of Good 

 Hope. They are readily increased by cuttings 

 of the young wood ; 8. dbuiiloides, 8. amgvstir 

 folia, 8. umbellata, etc., are often cultivated 

 under the name of Malva. 

 Sphsero'gyne. From sphaHa, a globe, and gyne, 

 a female. Nat. Ord. Mela8toma,ce(B. 



This genus is remarkable for the color of its 

 foliage. 8. latifolia has large, broad, and flat 

 leaves, deep green on top, the under side cin- 

 namon brown, the leaves and stem being very 

 hairy; it makes a magnificent specimen 

 plant. A few other species are to be found in 

 choice collections of ornamental-leaved plants. 

 They are natives of tropical America, and are 

 propagated by cuttings. Introduced in 1864. 

 This genus is now included under Tococa by 

 many botanists. 

 SpbaeroBte'ina. From aphairo, a globe, and 

 atemma, a crown ; in allusion to the arrange- 

 ment of the stamens. Nat. Ord. Schizand- 

 racem. 



A name under which the Asiatic species of 

 8chizamdra have been distinguished as a 

 genus ; now included by many botanists un- 

 der 8ehisandra, which see. 

 Spha'gnum. A name given by Pliny for some 

 kind of Moss. A genus of Mosses found in all 

 temperate countries, and exceedingly common 

 in our swamps and bogs. It is an excellent 

 material for packing plants in, being extremely 

 retentive of moisture, and yet contains so 

 much astringency as to check decay. It is 

 also used for potting orchidaceous and some 

 other plants. This material has been long 

 used In the packing of plants by both florists 

 and nurserymen and in various other opera- 

 tions connected with Horticulture. In our uses 

 of Sphagnum we have found another method 

 of using it, the value of which will be apparent 

 to those who have had experience in raising 

 seeds under glass. Our method is as follows : 

 In preparing the soil for seeds we get it as 

 fine and rich as possible, passing it through a 

 very fine sieve. This soil is placed in boxes 

 only two or three inches deep, and it is then 

 made perfectly level and as smooth as possible ; 

 on this smooth surface of soil the seeds are 



SPI 



sown, and then pressed down into the soil 

 with a smooth board. The seed being thus 

 sunk just to the surface of the soil, we now 

 sift dry Sphagnum, that has been run through 

 a wire mosquito net, over the seed, just thick 

 enough to well cover it. This Moss forms a 

 light, spongy covering, and affords just the 

 best condition needed for germination ; and 

 we have found that any seeds having any 

 vitality in them are certain to germinate by 

 this method. The German Peat Moss, now 

 largely used as an absorbent for liquid manure, 

 etc., in stables, is simply the decayed Sphag- 

 num of the swamps from which the water has 

 been thoroughly expressed. When its great 

 value as a deodorizer and absorbent becomes 

 known, the large deposits of it in this country 

 will doubtless become utilized. See " Man- 

 ures — Absorbents for." 

 Sphena'ndra. From aphen, a wedge, and and- 

 roa, an anther ; alluding to the shape of the 

 anthers. Nat. Ord. 8oroplmla/riace(B. 



8. viacoaa, the only species is a viscous-pu- 

 bescent, annual or perennial herb, with pretty 

 violet flowers. It is a native of South Africa, 

 and is increased by seeds. Known in culti- 

 vation under the name of Bitchnera viacd^a. 

 Sphenode'sma. From aphen, a wedge, and 

 deame, a small bundle ; alluding to the form 

 of the inflorescence. Nat. Ord. VerbenacecB. 



A genus of climbing shrubs, natives Of 

 India and the Malayan Archipelago. 8. pent- 

 cmdra, the only species introduced, bears 

 flowers six in a head, with a purple corolla 

 and a white, very hairy, throat. It was intro- 

 duced from India in 1823, and is increased by 

 cuttings. 

 Spheno'gyne. From aphen, a wedge, and gyne, 

 a female. Nat. Ord. Compoaitce. 



A genus of hardy annuals and green-house, 

 evergreen perennials, mostly natives of the 

 Cape of Good Hope. They have large, spread- 

 ing, rayed flower-heads, of an orange color 

 barred with black. 8. apedosa is a showy an- 

 nual, a native of South America, and resem- 

 bles the Anthemis. It will succeed if sown in 

 the open border in spring, but is much earlier 

 and better if treated as a half-hardy annual 

 and sown in early spring in heat. This genus- 

 is now included under Uraina by many bot- 

 anists. 

 Spicate. Having, or resembling a spike. 

 Spice Bush. See lAndera (Lauirua) Benzoin. 

 Spice Tree. Oreoda/phne Califomica. 

 Spider Flower. A common name for Oleome. 

 Spider Orchis. Orchia aranifesra. 

 Spider. Ked. See Inaecta. 

 Spider-wort. See Tradescantia. 

 Blue. Gommelina ccBleatia. 

 Branched. Anihericwm lAUago. 

 Dwarf. Tradeacantia piloaa. 

 Great Savoy. Anthericum LiUaatrum. 

 Mountain. Lloyd/ia aerotina. 

 Spige'Ua. Worm Grass. Named after Adenan 

 ~ ' " , a botanist at Padua. Nat. Ord. 



An extensive genus of half-hardy annuals 

 and herbaceous perennials, some of which are 

 ornamental border plants. The Pink Boot, 

 Worm Grass, or Indian Pink, is 8. Marilan- 

 dica, common in Pennsylvania and southward. 

 It is a desirable plant for the rock-work or 



