DECORATIVE PLANTS 33 
To avoid errors in ordering plants from dealers, the 
scientific name should be used if the plant is so desig- 
nated in the lists. 
In descriptions of plants the names of parts of flowers 
are frequently given. The single geranium is a good 
plant to use as a type. The flower is formed by alter- 
nating whorls, or cycles, of modified leaves. The outer 
whorl is the calyx. Each of the five separate parts of 
the calyx is known as a sepal. Inside the calyx is the 
corolla, consisting of five parts, each of which is 
known as a petal. The corolla incloses the stamens, the 
fertilizing organs of the flower. In the center of the 
flower is the seed-bearing organ, or pistil. In some 
geraniums there are several whorls of the corolla, and 
such flowers are known as double flowers. 
THE ASPIDISTRA 
The aspidistra is the hardiest of all plants for house 
decoration and is well adapted to north windows or to 
corners where there is little or no direct sunlight. The 
leaves are strap-shaped or lanceolate, and the color is deep 
green or variegated. The arching habit of the leaves 
makes the plant attractive when placed on a small stand. 
After it has become of suitable size, it may be kept in a 
corner of a room in a six-inch pot for three or four years 
without being repotted. During July and August it 
should be kept on a porch or under a shade tree where 
it will have direct sunlight during a part of the day. 
