956 PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS teachycaepus 



in the British Islands, although a large number of them will grow well in 

 large cool conservatories. There is great variation in the habit of growth, 

 some having simple tree-like trunks, others being apparently stemless with 

 the leaves springing direct from the soil ; others again with slender erect or 

 climbing stems of great length, while many kinds are furnished with spines 

 and prickles. The leaves are usually large and elegant in appearance, and 

 may be fan-shaped, plaited, pinnate, or variously divided. The flowers are 

 small, regular, hermaphrodite, monoecious, dioecious, or sometimes poly- 

 gamous, and are usually borne in great numbers on branching stems issuing 

 from a large leafy spathe or bract. Bach flower has 3 free or united sepals 

 and petals, and usually 6 stamens in the hermaphrodite and male blossoms, 

 but in rare cases there are as many as 50. 



Although unsuitable for outdoor cultivation it may be mentioned here 

 that the Date Palm [Phoenix dactylifera) and the Coco-nut Palm {Oocos 

 nucifera), both Palms valuable for the well-known fruits they produce, belong 

 to this order, while many others are also of great economic importance. The 

 so-called Double Coco-nut {Lodoicea sechellarum), a native of the Seychelle 

 Islands, is a remarkable plant and was believed by the late General Gordon 

 to be the tree which bore the Forbidden Fruit in the Garden of Eden. The 

 fruit is larger than that of any other palm or plant known, often measuring 

 12-18 in. in length, and about a foot across. It is 2-lobed and somewhat 

 resembles 2 fruits of the ordinary Coco-nut joined together, hence the popular 

 name. Although many previous attempts had been made to cultivate this 

 Palm in Europe, they all failed until a few years ago, when the large seeds 

 were successfully sprouted at Kew and fine plants produced from them. 



TRACHYCARPUS excelsus recorded as having stood as much as 15° 



(Ohammrops exceha). — A graceful Pahn, of frost without injury in various parts, 



native of China and Japan, and attaining It will thrive in good and well-drained 



10-20 ft. or more high in favourable situa- garden soil, but prefers a mixture of rich 



tions. In young plants the leaves are loam, leaf mould and sand. It shoidd be 



more or less oblong in shape, but when planted in warm positions sheltered from 



fully developed they become split up into cold and violent winds, and is effective on 



numerous linear pointed segments radiat- the lawn by itself. It may be increased 



ing fan-like from the top of the leaf-stalk, by means of seeds sown in gentle heat in 



and measuring about 18 in. across. The spring, the young plants being grown on 



small yellowish flowers are produced on under glass until they are sufficiently 



a branching stalk or spadix about a foot large and sturdy enough for the open air. 



long, issuing from large brownish and If suckers appear fr-om the base they may 



tubular membranous sheaths or spathes. be detached carefully, potted up and 



Culture and Propagation. — This is grown on in gentle heat, and kept close 



the only Pahn that can be regarded as until established. Also well known as 



hardy in the British Islands, and it is Chamarops Fortunei. 



Division III. GLUMIFLOBjE (see p. 128). 



CXXVII. GRAMINEiE— Grass Order 



A large order of tufted annual or perennial plants, shrubby or tree-like in 

 the Bamboos, usually tufted at the base, with round or flattened simple or 

 branched stems, usually hollow between the swollen joints. Leaves usually 



