Amaryllidee—Bomarea. 493 
~) 
10. BOMAREA. 
Is of close affinity with the preceding genus and from the 
same regions, differing mainly in the climbing habit and tri- 
angular seed-pod, which instead of splitting to the base opens 
at the top only. Some of the 
species possess about the same 
degree of hardiness as the hardiest 
Alstremerias. B. Salsilla (fig. 243) 
is a pretty twining plant with 
glabrous leaves and purple flowers 
about half an inch long, the two 
upper and inner segments having a 
darker spot at the base, and all of 
them tinged with green towards the © 
points. : 
11, AGAVE. 
A noble genus of succulent or 
fleshy-leaved plants with a tall 
branched inflorescence resembling 
a huge candelabrum. — Perianth 
funnel - shaped, persistent, of six 
nearly equal divisions. Stamens 
exceeding the expanded perianth. 
The name is from the Greek dyavés, in allusion to the stately 
habit of many species They are chiefly natives of Mexico and 
South America. The best known is A. Americana, but this is 
only hardy in the south-western counties of England. It is 
almost stemless, with very massive fleshy spinose crowded leaves 
from 3 to 6 feet long, which are of many years’ duration. It is 
essentially monocarpic, but it is usually many years before it 
reaches maturity. The inflorescence attains a height of 20 or 30 
feet, bearing many hundreds of erect yellowish flowers. This 
plant is commonly known as the American Aloe, and is usually 
grown in tubs to admit of giving it shelter the more readily in 
Winter. It is exceedingly ornamental, and is a very striking 
object in a large garden, especially the variegated variety. 
Fig. 243. Bomarea Salsilla, (} nat. size.) 
