ON STOVE PLANTS. 



667 



long, and loin. to i5in. broad, with a deep green and glossy 

 metallic surface. A. Warocgiieamnn is another handsome and 

 distinct species, with leaves 3oin. to 4oin. long, and Sin. to i2in. 

 broad, of a very rich deep 



also from South America, 



has dark green leaves, with Fig. 433. — Anthurium splendidum. 

 a brilHant glossy polish on 



the upper surface, the under-side being of a deep claret colour ; 

 the flowers are bright vermilion and freely produced, even on 

 very small plants, during the winter months. 



Aralia. — The stove shrubby species of this genus form very 

 useful and ornamental plants for dinner-table and general decora- 

 tion, and are of very easy culture. They may be propagated 

 by cuttings, or still better by grafting on free-rooting species such 

 as A. reticulata and A. Guilfoylei. For compost use equal 

 parts loam and peat, with a little leaf-mould and sand. 

 A. elegantissima (from the South Sea Islands), A. Veitchii (from 

 New^ Caledonia) (Fig. 434), and its variety, A. V. gracilUma, are 

 charming plants, of most elegant appearance, with erect stems and 



Aphelaxdra. — Some 

 very attractive species be- 

 longing to this family de- 

 serve to be classed among 

 ornamental foliage plants. 

 A. fascinator has rich dark 

 green leaves, beautifully 

 banded with white, and in 

 addition produces dazzling 

 vermilion-coloured flowers ; 

 it is a native of Columbia. 

 A. Leopoldii (from Brazil) 

 has opposite leaves, 6in. 

 long by 2^in. broad, of a 

 deep green shade, with pure 

 white veins running from 

 the midrib to the margin. 

 A. MargaritcB has the upper 

 surface of the leaves dark 

 green, with nerves of a 

 lighter shade and the under- 

 side rose - coloured ; the 

 flowers are of a bright 

 orange colour. A. nitens^ 



green, with a velvety lustre, 

 with which the light colour 

 of the midrib and veins 

 forms a pleasing contrast. 



