GYPSOPHILA 



Ltlth iHJL,ti ±5UUJ1 



HABLITZIA 



leaves about 6 ins. long and about 

 3 ins. broad, narrowed into a stalk 

 about 6 ins. long. Over a dozen 

 pale lilac flowers appear in February 

 or March on slender stems about a 

 foot higb. (Bot. Reg. t. 511.) 



GYPSOPHILA {gypsos, chalk ; 

 phileo, to love ; in reference to their 

 natural love of a chalky soil). Nat. 

 Ord. Caryophyllese. — This genus 

 contains about fifty species of annual 

 and perennial herbaceous plants 

 having swoUen joints, opposite leaves, 

 and large panicles of small tubular 

 or bell-shaped flowers, having five 

 narrow-clawed petals, ten stamens, 

 and two (or rarely three) styles. The 

 tuberous - rooted species worthy of 

 note are : — 



G. Manglni. — ^A Siberian species 

 with thick fleshy roots, blue-green 

 leaves, and small panicles of rather 

 light rose-coloured flowers. 



G. panlculata. — A light and graceful 

 S. European perennial, with thick 

 parsnip-like roots. It forms a dense 

 compact bush 2 to 3 ft. high. Stems 

 much branched, knotty, smooth and 

 glistening, very slender and fragile. 

 Leaves linear, lance-shaped, opposite, 

 without stalks. Flowers during the 

 summer, small, white, very numerous, 

 borne on stiffish thread-like stalks. 



This species may be increased by 

 dividing the thickish roots in spring, 

 or seeds may be sown thinly out of 

 doors in April and May in a warm 

 and not too sunny border with finely 

 prepared soil. As soon as the 

 seedlings are large enough to handle 

 easily they may be pricked out into 

 another bed, afterwards keeping them 

 well watered and shaded until 

 established. By the end of Sep- 

 tember, or in mild weather in spring, 

 the young plants may be moved 

 to their flowering positions in the 

 flower-border. Once established they 



produce immense clouds of blossom 

 annually, and are valuable for cutting 



262 



Fig. 178. — Gyp^opliila paniculata, 

 root-stock. (J.) 



for bouquets, room decoration, etc., 

 either in masses by themselves or 

 mixed with other flowers. 



HABLITZIA (after C. von Hahlitz, 

 a distinguished Prussian author and 

 traveller). Nat. Ord. Chenopodiacese. 

 — This genus contains but one species 

 — H. tamnoldes. A Caucasian plant 

 with tuberous, turnip-shaped roots, 

 climbing, ribbed deciduous stems 

 several feet long, and broad, entire, 

 triangular heart-shaped, membranous, 

 pointed leaves on long stalks. The 

 small greenish-yellow flowers appear 

 from July to October in drooping 

 trusses. 



This plant flourishes in ordinary 

 garden soil, and may be used in the 

 same way as the Hop, etc., for 

 covering arches, trellises, etc. It is 



