158 STOVE PLANTS. 



a few weeks. Other plants should be brought in weekly, 

 so that a succession may be kept up. Care must be taken 

 not to sprinkle the bracts with water, but the plants, when 

 growing, will take a very liberal supply at the root. These 

 are most useful plants, and are used by the hundred for dinner 

 parties and balls, the colours being so remarkably attractive 

 among other plants. 



P. ignescens. — The habit of growth of this variety is a 

 shade stronger than the old P. pulcJierrima, whilst the colour 

 is of a rich lake vermilion, but the rich transparent colour of 

 this variety is beyond description. Garden hybrid. 



P. mirahilis. — The growth of this variety is much the 

 same as P. pulchernnia, producing immense bracts of fine 

 shape, rose vermilion in colour ; the soft rose shade in this 

 flower is exquisite. Garden hybrid. 



P. pulcJierrima. — This plant is a native of Mexico, and is 

 one of the gayest of all our winter decorators. It may be 

 grown from eight or nine inches to several feet in height, 

 and forms an extremely ornamental object, the large bright 

 scarlet bracts resembling the green leaves in form and size, 

 contrasting strongly with the features of every other plant 

 with which it can be associated. 



P. pulcJierrima alba. — This variety resembles the species 

 in every respect, saving that the colour of the bracts is white, 

 instead of scarlet. Though not so showy as the more highly- 

 coloured form, it is yet well deserving a place for the pleasant 

 contrast it affords. 



P. pulcJierrima plenissima. — A very remarkable double 

 form of the type, having bracts of the same colour and a 

 similar habit of growth ; the central or primary cyme is pro- 

 duced in the first place, which becomes sub-divided, forming 

 minor heads of bracts, finally the head culminates in a mass of 

 bracts of a brilliant colour. 



