766 



PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GABDJEN PLANTS Phytolacca 



which envelop the small Strawberry-like 

 fruits. 



Culture dc. as above for C. Atriplicis. 

 Eaised from seed sown in the open border 

 in April. C. virgatum (BUtumvirgatum) 

 is somewhat similar. 



C. Scoparium {Kochia scopana). — 

 Belvedere. — A distinct S. European an- 

 nual 3-5 ft. high, forming a small Cypress- 

 like bush with alternate linear lance- 

 shaped pale green leaves. Flowers green, 

 minute, in long spikes. 



Culture dc. as above for C. Atriplicis. 

 Although entirely green this curious spe- 

 cies, owing to its compact, pyramidal, and 

 graceful habit, may be used with effect on 

 grass or in borders. 



BETA (Beetroot). — A genus of 

 smooth-leaved shining herbs, with thick, 

 fleshy roots, and small hermaphrodite 

 flowers. Perianth single, half inferior, 5- 

 clefl, persistent. Stamens 5, perigynous. 



The Beetroot is mentioned here, not 

 on account of the beauty of its small 

 flowers, but because of the beautiful 

 foliage of some varieties which are much 



used for decoration in sub-tropical gar- 

 dening during the summer months. 



B. Cicla variegata, known as the 

 Chilian Beet, has handsome shining 

 leaves 3 ft. or more long, and 1 ft. across, 

 brilliant in colour and variegation, and 

 having midribs varying from dark orange 

 to scarlet. The seeds are sown in slight 

 heat in February or March, and the 

 seedlings thinned or pricked out to make 

 more sturdy growth. By the end of May 

 they may be transplanted to the open 

 ground. 



Another variety, known as the Dra- 

 caena or Crotou-leaved Beet, is also useful 

 for producing ornamental effects. It has 

 long, narrow, recxirved leaves, forming a 

 bunch on the top of the root. When the 

 seedlings are well up, it is easy to select 

 the plants having the most ornamental 

 foliage, as they vary a good deal. 



The Victoria Beet (B. hortensis metal- 

 lica) is a beautiful form with deep blood- 

 red glistening leaves. The roots may be 

 used in the ordinary way. They all 

 flourish in ordinary good garden soU, and 

 may be treated as advised for the ordinary 

 Beetroot at p. 1151. 



XCIV. PHYTOLACCACE^-Poke Weed Order 



An order of trees, shrubs, or herbs, woody at the base. Leaves alternate, 

 quite entire. Stipules none, or small, or reduced to tubercles. Flowers 

 hermaphrodite or 1-sexed, usually in racemes, rarely axillary, often green or 

 white. Perianth inferior, herbaceous or leathery, 4-5-parted, sometimes 

 coloured; segments equal or unequal, oblong or roundish, obtuse. Petals 

 usually absent. Stamens 4 or more, rarely perigynous, often inserted on the 

 hypogynous disc ; filaments free or united at the base. Ovary superior. 

 Fruit berry-like or dry, composed of one or several distinct or more or less 

 united 1-seeded carpels. 



PHYTOLACCA. — A genus contain- 

 ing about 10 species of shrubs, herbs, 

 or trees, erect or climbing, with round, 

 furrowed, or angular branches. Leaves 

 alternate, with or without stalks, acute or 

 blunt, quite entire, and .without stipules. 

 Flowers hermaphrodite, rarely dioecious 

 or 1-sexed by abortion, usually racemose. 

 Perianth of 4-5 green or coloured equal, 

 oblong obtuse, spreading or reflexed seg- 

 ments. Stamens 5-25, reduced to -small 

 staminodes in female flowers. Fruit 

 fleshy and juicy, sometimes deep purple, 



roundish depressed, and composed of 5- 

 12 free or united carpels. 



Cidture and Propagation. — The spe- 

 cies described below are beautiful and 

 distinct border plants, and may be grown 

 easily in ordinary garden soil. They are 

 particularly effective in large masses, 

 especially on lawns or grass-land. In 

 autumn the foHage assumes a reddish 

 tinge, and the general effect is enhanced 

 by the cylindrical spikes of flowers which 

 are succeeded by masses of purple-violet 

 berries. The plants may be increased by 



