BREVOOKTIA 



THE BULB BOOK 



BKODI^A 



species are about Ij ins. through, and 

 the leaves are about a foot long, and 

 not more than ^-in. broad. The 

 greenish--white flowers are usually 

 or nearly always solitary, instead of 

 being in pairs, and have the tube 

 tinged with purple. 



BRSVOOBTIA (after Brevoort). 

 Nat. Ord. Liliacese. — The only 

 species is — 



B. Ida-maia, much better known 

 still under the name of Brodioea 

 cocdnea in catalogues. Popularly it 

 is called the " Crimson Satin Flower," 

 and the "Californian Fire Cracker." 

 It is a pretty Californian plant with 

 tunicated corms, narrow leaves, and 

 during June and July bears loose 

 umbels of bright red or scarlet flowers 

 tipped with green, and drooping from 

 the top of a scape 2 to 3 ft. high. 



Fig. 75. — Brevoortia Ida^Maia, corm and 

 section. (§.) 



It flourishes under identical con- 

 ditions with the Brodiseas in rich and 

 well-drained, deeply-dug, sandy soil 

 in the border or rock-garden. When 

 it grows freely in warm, sheltered 

 spots, it is decidedly handsome. 



The genus Brevoortia differs from 

 Brodisea botanicaUy in having three 

 stamens only instead of six, and a 

 slightly stalked instead of a sessile 

 ovary. 



BRODiaJA (after J. J. Brodie, a 

 Scottish cryptogamist). Nat. Ord. 

 Liliacese. — ^A genus closely related to 

 Beevooktia, consisting of a pretty 

 and interesting number of herbaceous 

 plants, having tunicated corms or 

 bulbs, narrow leaves, and flowers 



113 



borne in umbels on top of a simple 

 scape. The perianth is funnel-shaped 

 or bell-shaped, narrowed at the base, 

 dilated above, and having six more 

 or less equal lobes. Stamens six, 

 perfect, or with three alternate ones 

 reduced to staminodia. 



The genera Teiteleia, Hespeeo- 

 coEDUM, and Cailipeoea are now 

 merged in this. 



The Brodiseas are nearly all natives 

 of California, but a few exist in 

 Brazil and Argentina. Consequently 

 they require to be grown in warm, 

 sunny borders in sheltered positions 

 in British gardens. They are not 

 difficult to cultivate, provided the 

 soil is well drained by deep cultiva- 

 tion, and well enriched with decayed 

 manure. A fair quantity of sand or 

 grit should also be incorporated not 

 only to keep the soil open, but to 

 absorb the heat from the sun and 

 thus keep the soil warm. The best 

 time to plant the corms or bulbs is 

 either early in September, or about 

 February or March when the weather 

 is mild and open. Once planted 

 properly, the plants may be left to 

 take care of themselves, and should 

 not be disturbed for a few years, untU 

 they become so thick that separation 

 and replanting become absolutely 

 necessary. The surface should be 

 kept free from weeds, and in the 

 autumn a top-dressing of well-rotted 

 manure will be beneficial. Increase 

 is easily effected by separating 

 the offsets from the older corms. 

 Seeds may also be sown when 

 ripe, but will not produce flowering 

 bulbs for three or four years or 

 more. 



There are many species known, but 

 the following is a selection of the 

 best garden plants. They nearly all 

 flower during the summer months, 

 some being earlier than others, ex- 

 tending the flowering period from 



