ON STOVE PLANTS 



679 



very valuable for decorative purposes. Especially is this the case 

 with P. Veitchii, which, with its beautiful variegated striped 

 leaves, is one of the ornamental foliage plants most in demand 

 for decorative and exhibition work. It is propagated by offsets, 

 and grows freely in equal parts peat and loam with a little leaf- 

 mould and sand. P. graminifo litis and P. iitilis, from Mada- 

 gascar, are good green-leaved forms. P. Sa?ideri (Fig. 443) 

 is a new species of tufted habit, the sword-hke leaves having 

 small marginal spines something like P. Veitchii, but the varie- 

 gation consists of narrow bands of golden-yellow, alternated with 



green throughout the length of the leaves, and not confined 

 to the margins ; it is a plant of promising appearance, and will 

 probably become a great favourite. 



Panicum variegatum. — A pretty, free-growing grass from 

 Tropical Asia, with white-striped and pink-tinted foliage ; it is 

 well known and valued in gardens for its usefulness and adapta- 

 bility for mixing with other plants, also for hanging-baskets and 

 other decorative purposes, being of a light trailing habit. It is 

 readily increased by cuttings or division in spring, and will thrive 

 in any light sandy soil in pots on a shelf near the glass or in 

 almost any light warm position. Although it is generally known 

 as above, its correct name is Oplismenus Burmaimi variegatus. 



Pavetta borbonica. — A handsome plant from the Isle of 

 Bourbon, having oblong-lanceolate olive-green leaves studded with 



/ 



J 



Fig. 443. — Pandanus Sanderi. 



