84 STOVE PLANTS. 



had during winter for decorating either the stove or the con- 

 servatory. Native of China. 



Centbadenia. 



A pretty free-flowering genus of Melastomacca, the flowers 

 of which are of no great beauty individually, but are so 

 abundantly produced that the plants become very efi'ective 

 and useful, more especially as they bloom throughout the 

 winter and spring without cessation. They are of the easiest 

 culture, and should be potted in a mixture of two parts peat 

 to one of loam, mixing a good proportion of silver sand with 

 the compost. 



C. floribunda. — A compact-growing branching plant, with 

 narrow pale green leaves, which are, during the winter months, 

 almost hidden by the profusion of small white petaled flowers 

 with which it is laden. Native of Brazil. 



C. fjraniUfolia. — This species has large oblong-ovate leaves, 

 of a bright intense green above, and deep red beneath ; the 

 stems are quadrangular and winged ; and the flowers, which 

 are white, tinged with pink, are produced in branching heads 

 in great abundance. Native of Mexico. 



Centeostemma. 



This fine stove plant, sometimes called Cijrtoceras, is very 

 nearly related to Hoya, and maj' be treated in the manner 

 recommended for that genus. It is, however, of erect shrubby 

 habit. The genus is entirely confined to the Malayan Archi- 

 pelago, and is very ornamental when well managed. 



C. multiflora. — A very handsome stove evergreen shrub, 

 somewhat liable to variation, if we may judge by the many 

 names it has received, it being known in gardens as Hoya 

 multiflora, Hoya coriacea, Cyrtocenif: reflexum, Cyrtoceras 



