818 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GABDENING. 



to a point, and sparingly toothed at the edges; 

 flowers in short racemes near the tops of the shoots, 

 drooping, flowers numerous, tubular, with promi- 

 nent ribs, rich yellow, a colour rarely fouild in this 

 order of plants. North-eastern India; 400 to 800 

 feet elevation. 



P. ncgomm. — A somewhat lax - growing shrub, 

 forming a thick, gouty stem, and growing naturally 

 upon the branches of the large forest trees ; leaves 

 broadly-lanceolate, tapering to a point, and toothed 

 at the edges ; these, when young, are tinged with 

 reddish-purple, becoming deep green -with age ; 

 flowers drooping, on long foot-stalks ; tubes sharply 

 five-angled, shining white, 

 transversely, banded with 

 lines of cinnamon, and 

 tipped with green ; calyx 

 large, blood-red; springand 

 early summer. Northern 

 India. 



Phsenocoma. — A 



showy member of the As- 

 terace(B, known also as 

 Helichrysum, from which 

 genus, however, it differs 

 in the arrangement of the 

 florets. For culture, see 

 Aphelexis, to which it is 

 nearly allied. 



P. proUfera. — The only 

 species ; has curious small 

 granular leaves, which are 

 densely set on the wooUy 

 stems; the .flower -heads 

 are terminal and very 

 showy ; the texture is dry 



and chafEy; colour reddish-crimson. Spring and 

 summer months. Cape of Good Hope. 



P. proUfera Sarnesii is similar in habit of growth 

 to the species ; but the flowers are of a uniform rich 

 deep crimson. Summer and autumn months. Of 

 garden origin. 



Phormium.— The one species in this genus of 

 LiliacecB is popularly known as the New Zealand 

 Flax ; it contains a great quantity of very strong 

 fibre, which the natives prepare and make articles of 

 clothing from', &o. ; but there is some peouliariljy 

 about it which prevents it coming into the European 

 market. 



Phormium is an extremely ornamental plant, and 

 quickly attains a largo size ; pot in rich loam, and 

 increase by division. 



It is found only in New Zealand and Norfolk 

 Island. 



Fhokuiuu Tenax. 



P. tenax. — Leaves erect, five to six feet or more 

 long; ensiform; arranged in a two-ranked (dis- 

 tichous) manner ; sheathing at the base, and deep 

 shining green in colour. 



This plant is quite hardy in many parts of the 

 kingdom ; forms a noble ornament in the conserva- 

 tory, and is very efflective in the open air during 

 summer. 



P. tenax Colensoi vaHegatum. — This is a highly 

 ornamental plant; less robust than t^e type, and 

 consequently better adapted for green-houses of 

 smaller dimensions ; the habit is more erect ; leaves 

 bright green, with a broad white marginal band. 



P. tenax variegatum. — 

 Similar in size and habit 

 to the type; leaves dark 

 green, with longitudinal 

 bands of rich yellowish- 

 white. 



P. tenax atropurpureum. 

 — A small-growing form, 

 the leaves being of a beau- 

 tiful deep reddish-purple 

 colour throughout. 



P. tenax Veitckii varie- 

 gatum. — ^In habit somewhat 

 resembling P. Cohnaoi ; 

 but the leaves, instead of 

 being bordered with white, 

 are striped with bright 

 golden-yeUow. 



There are numerous 

 other varieties. All are 

 beautiful, and all have 

 some distinctive character. 



Plmelea. — A large 

 family of slender-growing, handsome shrubs, be- 

 longing to the order Thymelacece. When well grown 

 they are unequalled for public exhibition, and are 

 equally valuable as home decorators. 



In potting, use a mixture of two parts peat, one 

 part light loam, and a fair proportion of sharp sand ; 

 they require great care in watering, just keeping 

 them in the happy medium between wet and dry 

 during the growing season ; shade from the strong 

 sunshine, and during the latter part of summer 

 place them in a cool frame, where they may obtain a 

 free circulation of air and shelter from heavy rains. 

 A watchful eye must be kept upon them during 

 winter, to keep mildew or damp from injuring their 

 foliage. 



Pimeleas are natives of Australia and New Zea- 

 land. 



P. demssata. — Leaves opposite and set crossways 

 (decussate) ; dark green on the upper side, paler 



