94 OENAMBNTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



ANTH0RroM. 



In this family we have many plants of great beauty, 

 for although but few of them possess actual variegation, 

 yet the bold outline, and rich and varied green tints of 

 the leaves of many of the species, render them highly 

 ornamental. Anthurium belongs to the order Orontiacece, 

 a group which in general appearance resembles the Arads, 

 from which indeed they differ only in having hermaphro- 

 dite flowers. The genus contains many species of robust 

 constitution, with bold coriaceous leaves, which renders 

 them eminently adapted for sub-tropical gardening. They 

 should be potted in rough peat and loam, with a little 

 river sand added. A copious supply of water will be 

 necessary during sum.mer and winter, although, as a matter 

 of course less wUl be required during the dull months. 

 These plants may be increased either by cuttings or seeds, 

 but to ensure their seeding, the flowers should be arti- 

 ficially impregnated, although many kinds seed profusely 

 without any such assistance. 



A. acaule. — A noble plant, producing broad oblong 

 leaves, which are acuminate, and from one to three feet 

 in length, erect, and arranged in a rosulate manner, dark 

 shining green on the upper surface, but somewhat paler 

 below ; the spadix is blue in a young state, and is borne 

 upon long footstalks, thus contrasting well with the leaves. 

 It is a native of the West Indies. 



A. cordifolium. — This is one of the finest species of 

 the genus, attaining a height of about four feet. The 

 leaves, when mature, are about three feet in length, 

 and twenty inches in breadth, heart-shaped, of a deep 

 shining green on the upper surface, and paler below. 

 There is a spurious variety of this, which, compared with 



