884 PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS thalia 



as in most other Monocotyledons. Flowers inconspicuous usually l-sexed^ 

 and borne in axillary panicles or racemes. Perianth often bell-shaped and 

 6-lobed. Stamens 6, free. Ovary 3-celled. Styles 3. 



There are only 8 genera and about 160 species in this order, and perhaps 

 the most important plants in it are the Yams (Dioscorea), the fleshy roots of 

 which are largely cultivated as articles of food in tropical and sub-tropical 

 countries. 



TAMUS (Black Bryony).— A genus Culture and Propagation.— Although 



having two species, the one here de- a native plant and not remarkable for the 



scribed being the best known :— beauty oi its blossoms, the Black Bryony 



T. communis. — An ornamental native is nevertheless a beautiful plant for cover- 

 cUmber found growing wild in the copses ing arbours, trellises &o. It flourishes in 

 and hedges in many parts of England. ordinary garden soU, and likes somewhat 

 It has black ovoid fleshy rootstocks and shaded positions. It may be increased 

 slender angular branched stems which by carefully separating the blackish root- 

 grow several feet long. The ovate heart- stocks in spring or autumn, or by sowing 

 shaped tapering leaves are 2-3 in. long, seeds when ripe in cold frames. The 

 with long stalks, and the minute flowers common Bryony described at p. 461 is 

 appear in May and June, and are sue- quite distinct from the Black Bryony in 

 Deeded by oblong red berries about ^ in. structure, although both plants agree in 

 long. being climbers. 



CXIX. SCITAMINEiE— Ginger Order 



An order of usually perennial herbs with more or less creeping or tuberous, 

 rootstocks, and leaves variously arranged, the stalk usually forming a sheath. 

 Flowers hermaphrodite or rarely polygamous, irregular, borne in spikes, 

 racemes, or panicles. Perianth superior, normally double, the outer portion 

 calyx-like, the inner corolla-like, the segments variously' united, or one or 

 other absent. Stamens sometimes 5, equal, free, the sixth absent or small ; 

 often only one stamen perfect, the others being changed into irregular poly- 

 morphous variously united staminodes which are much longer than the 

 perianth segments and brightly coloured, usually red or yellow, and form the 

 showy part of the flower. Ovary inferior, 3-celled. Fruit crowned by the 

 persistent calyx or naked, containing 1 or more seeds. 



This order contains about 450 species widely distributed over the warmer 

 parts of the globe. Many ornamental representatives are grown in hothouses^ 

 and although those mentioned below are grown out of doors in the British 

 Islands during the summer months, they are not really hardy. 



ROSCOEA purpurea. — A charming kingdom. It flourishes in rich and well- 

 tuberous - rooted Himalayan perennial drained sandy loam and peat in sheltered 

 about 6 in. high, with lance-shaped taper- spots, and may be increased by separating 

 ing wavy leaves 4-6 in. long, stem-clasping the tuberous roots in spring, or after the 

 at the base. Flowers in July and August, leaves and flowers have withered, 

 deep or pale purple with a broad drooping 

 2-lobed lip, and narrow perianth segments. THALIA.— A small genus of herba- 



Culture and Propagation. — Although oeous plants with fleshy rootstocks, large 



for many years grown as a hothouse ornamental leaves, and flowers in loose 



plant, this species has proved qxiite hardy spikes or panicles. Sepals 3, free, equal,. 



in the open air in the milder parts of the membranous. Petals 3, free or very 



