160 



OENAMBNTAL FOLIAGE PLAKTS. 



Andes of New Grenada. From this plant is obtained a 

 wax of a highly inflammable nature. This genns is nearly 

 allied to Iriartea, but is distinguished by having an entire 

 spathe, which quite covers the flower spike ; the flowers 

 are sometimes perfect, at other times unisexnlar ; sepals 

 and petals three-parted. Fruit one-seeded. It forms a 

 magnificent object either for public exhibition or home 

 decoration. The soil best adapted for its culture is loam 

 and peat in about equal parts. As an ornament to the 

 sub-tropical garden, the Geroxylon is unequalled, but it- 

 must be sheltered from rough winds and the direct rays of 

 the sun. 



G. cmdicola.— This is an extremely grand plant, well 

 adapted for greenhouse decoration, or for sub-tropical 

 gardening ia the summer season, although it grows more- 

 rapidly iu the stove. In its native country it attains im- 

 mense proportions ; in cultivation, as far as we know, 

 it has made but Uttle stem. The leaves are pinnate, 

 from two to twelve feet in length ; the petioles are erect,, 

 somewhat ferrugineous at the base, slightly arching at 

 the apex ; pinnse acuminate, two feet in length, and an 

 inch and a half in breadth, standing straight out at right 

 angles from the mid-rib, and clothed to within a few 

 inches of the base. The upper side is a fall, deep shining 

 green, while the lower side is silvery white. This plant 

 flowered for the first time in this country in the year 

 1858. It is found in the forests of New Grenada. 



CHAMaiDOBEA.. 



This is an exceedingly elegant genus of Palms, and 

 comprises many species, all slender small-growing plants, 

 ■^hich are admirably adapted for the decoration of apart- 

 ments, or the dinner table, their hardiness of constitution. 



