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PBAGTIGAL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS coeiabia 



C. myrtifolia. — A handsome shrub 

 3-6 ft. high, native of S. Europe. Leaves 

 ovate lance-shaped, simple, 3-nerved, 

 smooth and glaucous, on very short stalks. 

 Flowers from May to August, greenish. 



Culture and Propagation. — It will 

 grow in ordinary garden soil, and may be 

 increased by suckers or layers in the 

 autumn. Seeds may also be sown as soon 

 as ripe, or in spring in cold frames. 



Series III. Calycifloe^ (see p. 124) 



XXXVIII. LEGUMINOS.^— Laburnum and Broom Order 



A very extensive order vyith 6,500 species growing in all parts of the world. 

 It is divided into three large suborders, Papilionaceae, Caesalpineae, and 

 Mimosae. The tvro first named are the only ones represented out of doors in 

 the British Islands, and their characters are described in proper sequence, 

 with the genera and species belonging to each. 



Sub-Order I. PAPILIONACEAE. 



The plants in this group consist of trees shrubs or herbs of very varied 

 character. Leaves with 2 stipules, alternate, simple or often digitately or 

 pinnately compound. Flowers irregular, usually hermaphrodite. Sepals 

 usually 5 more or less united. Petals 5, unequal ; the upper one (known as 

 the 'standard') free, larger than the 2 side ones (known as the 'wings'), 

 which latter enclose and sometimes adhere to the 2 more or less united and 

 upward curved lower ones (known as the ' keel '). The keel usually encloses 

 the 10 perigynous stamens, united in a sheath, or the upper one only free ; 

 rarely all free. Fruit a 1-celled, usually dehiscent pod, with one or more 



peat or leaf-soil in warm and sheltered 

 spots with plenty of air. It may be in- 

 creased during the summer months by 

 inserting cuttings of the half-ripened 

 shoots in sandy soil under a handhght and 

 protecting them under glass until the 

 following spring. 



PIPTANTHUS (Nepalese Labur- 

 num). — A genus, the characters of which 

 are described in the only species it 

 contains, viz. : — 



P. nepalensis ( Tliermopsis nepalensis). 

 A handsome evergreen shrub, . about 

 10 ft. high, native of Nepaul, vrith alter- 

 nate, stalked, digitately 3-foliolate leaves, 

 and lance-shaped-acute, sUghtly hairy 

 leaflets. Flowers in spring, large, yellow, 

 in short racemes at the ends of the 

 branches. Calyx-lobes almost eqvial ; 

 standard reflexed at the sides; wings 

 obovate oblong ; keel scarcely incurved. 

 Stamens 10, free. 



The variety aurea may be recognised 



ANAGYRIS. — A small genus of 

 shrubs with alternate stalked digitately 

 3-foliolate leaves, opposite which are 

 placed two united stipules. Flowers 

 rather large, yellow,bome in short racemes 

 at the tips of the branches. Calyx teeth 

 or lobes nearly equal. Standard shorter 

 than the oblong wings, roundish, not re- 

 flexed at the sides. Stamens free. 



A. foetida. — A rather ornamental 

 shrub 6-8 ft. high, native of S. Europe, 

 and remarkable for the disagreeable odour 

 it emits when bruised. The leaves are 

 composed of three spreading lance-shaped 

 acute leaflets, and the yellow hairy Labur- 

 num-like flowers are produced in May and 

 June in short racemes at tlie tips of the 

 branches. 



Culture and Propagation. — This 

 species is hardy as far north as the 

 Thames Valley in ordinary winters, but 

 would probably require protection in the 

 event of severe weather. It may be 

 grown in well- drained sandy loam and 



