248 OENAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



ornament for the stove. Native of the banks of the 

 Amazon. 



M, pulchella. — A plant very much resembling M. zebrina 

 in general appearance ; it however does not grow quite 

 so strong, and the leaves are not so dark, owing to the 

 under side being destitute of the purple colour which is 

 so conspicuous in the last-named species. The present 

 plant is very ornamental, and well deserves general atten- 

 tion. Native of Tropical America. 



M. roseo-lineata. — This species grows from one to three 

 or more feet high. The leaves are from three to nine 

 inches in length, broadly ovate and sharp-pointed, the 

 ground colour dark olive green, with oblique lines of rose 

 colour reaching from near the mid-rib almost to the 

 margin ; the under side is deep purple, almost approach- 

 ing black. A most desirable kind. Native of Tropical 

 America. 



M. roseo-piota. — ^A beautiful plant of dwarf compact 

 habit. The leaves are somewhat orbicular in shape, and 

 of a beautiful rich glossy green ; the mid-rib of a lovely 

 rose colour, and midway between the margin and mid-rib 

 are two irregular bands of the same colour, traversing the 

 entire length of the leaf. It is a very handsome and 

 highly ornamental species. Native of Amazon, about 

 Loreta and Iquitos. 



M. splendida. — A very fine species, with large oblong, 

 lanceolate deflexed leaves, from ten to eighteen inches 

 long, of a rich dark olive green colour, with distinct 

 blotches of greenish yellow. Native of Para. 



M. striata. — ^Amongst the dwarfest species, seldom grow- 

 ing more than about six inches high ; the leaves are about 

 five inches long and two wide, bright green, profusely 

 streaked and striped with white and pale yellow. A very 



