134 PI^ANT CULTURE 



its resemblance to some of the Cattleyas, and having smaller 

 flowers, it is not so popular. Flowers in November and December. 

 A temperature of 50 degrees suits them. 



LATANIA. The best known of all the fan Palms, L. Commer- 

 sonii {borbonica) should be grown under the same conditions all the 

 time, otherwise some of the leaf stems will be short and others long, 

 making an unsymmetrical specimen. (See also Palms.) 



LIPPIA (Aloysia). L. citriodora, the Lemon Verbena, grows 

 very strongly when planted out, finishing up the season by covering 

 itself with myriads of small, insignificant flowers. It is a very popu- 

 lar plant, on account of its sweet-smelling leaves, being almost 

 identical in this respect with those of the lemon grass and Eucalyptus 

 citriodora. 



Culture. The plants may be grown in the field in Summer and 

 brought into the greenhouse upon the approach of frost and there 

 kept cool until February, when they may be repotted, pruned, and 

 grown at a temperature of about 55 degrees. 



Propagation. As the plants are not hardy, keep some old plants 

 over Winter; start them early in Spring and root the growths as soon 

 as they get long enough, in warm sand bed. 



LIVISTONA (Chinese Fan Palm). The common species, 

 Livistona rotundifolia, makes a very neat, little specimen plant. 

 The foliage is of a bright green color. This Pahn grows best in a 

 warm house. L. Jenkinsiana is not much used as a decorative plant, 

 but it is one of the most desirable for collections. (See also Palms.) 



LOPEZIA (Mosquito Plant). L. racemosa makes an ex- 

 ceedingly weedy growth outside in Summer. This plant is desirable 

 only for private collections. 



Propagation. Cuttings put in the beginning of September, 

 and the plants kept in a sunny greenhouse with a minimum tem- 

 perature of 45 degrees, will give an amazing supply of bloom all 

 Winter. 



MAHERNIA (Honey Bell). M. glabraia is a dense-growing, 

 dwarf evergreen shrub, with small, yellow flowers produced in Win- 

 ter. The flowers have an odor much resembling that of the \'iolet. 

 M. verticillata is also frequently found in conservatories. 



Propagation. The cuttings should be made large, at Ipast 6 

 inches in length. They should be taken before growth begins. 

 The roots are sparingly produced. Put the rooted cuttings at the 

 sides of the pots, so that they will take'easily with tlie soil. 



