PUTA. 293 



while on the lower branches a female flower is seated 

 ■between the two males. Fruit small, one-seeded. The 

 soil best adapted for their cultivation is a compost com- 

 posed of loam, peat, and sand, in about equal parts ; drain 

 the pots well, and give an abundant supply of water. 



P. Alexandra. — ^This is an extremely elegant somewhat 

 slender-stemmed species. The whole plant is smooth ; the 

 leaves pinnate, and beantiMly arched, light green when 

 mature ; but in a young state quite red. At present this is 

 rare in cultivation, but it will become a very popular plant 

 on account of its being so eminently adapted for dinner- 

 talsle and drawing-room decoration ; it also forms a beauti- 

 ful ornament in the greenhouse. Native of Australia, and 

 probably Lord Howe's Island also. 



P. Gunningliamii, see Seafortlda elegans. 



P. rupiaola. — This is a very handsome plant, and forms 

 a beautiful object on the dinner-table, or in a jardinette, 

 ■ as well as in the stove. The petioles are unarmed and 

 sheathing ; leaves pinnate, or divided into broad segments, 

 which are some twelve inches in length, and four in 

 breadth ; leaf stalks and leaves deep crimson when young, 

 . changing with age to dark green. Native of Ceylon. 



PUTA 



A genus of Bromeliads, containing many coarse-growing 

 plants which are not admissible, in select groups of orna- 

 mental-foliage. The species introduced here, however, 

 is very handsome, although somewhat large. It should be 

 potted in sandy loam and peat, and kept in the green, 

 house ; increase is effected by suckers, and by seeds when 

 obtainable. 



P. coarctaia. — A very ornamental vase-like plant. Leaves 



