HOT-HOUSE OR STOVE PLANTS. 



199 



Psychotria. — A small genus of Cinchonads, 

 which are not remarkable for beauty in either leaves 

 or flowers ; but the species introduced here is so 

 extremely elegant, with its large bunches of berries, 

 that it should not be absent from any collection of 

 stove plants ; it may be either grown as a basket or 

 pot plant. Pot in peat and loam with a little sand. 

 Stove. 



P. cyanococca. — Leaves rather small, somewhat 

 ovate lanceolate ; flowers white, inconspicuous, 

 followed by large bunches of the most brilliant ultra- 

 marine berries, which ripen in autumn and remain 

 on the plant all the winter. Nicaragua. 



Ravenala. — A genus of Musacece, containing but 

 one species, sometimes called Urania speciosa ; it 

 requires strong heat and moisture, and should be 

 potted in rich loam. Stove. 



R. . Madagascar iensxs — the Traveller's Tree — is a 

 bold plant, somewhat resembling Musa ensete ; the 

 base of the leaf is sheathing, and if pierced yields a 

 quantity of fresh and pure water, most welcome to 

 thirsty travellers ; most effective in a large house, 

 owing to the peculiar distichous arrangement of its 

 enormous blue-green leaves. The flowers are not 

 conspicuous. Madagascar. 



Reidia. — A genus of Euphorbiacece, very nearly 

 allied to Phyllanthus ; it contains several species, 

 which resemble each other closely. The species here 

 introduced is admirably adapted for dinner -table 

 decoration in the day time, but from its habit of 

 closing its leaves and sleeping at night, it is not 

 effective after dark. Pot in loam and peat, drain 

 well, and water freely, or red spider will destroy its 

 beauty. Stove. 



R. glaacescens. — An elegant slender shrub, with red 

 branches, bearing numerous thin, oblong, entire 

 leaves (which are so arranged as to present the 

 appearance of a pinnate leaf) ; these are light green 

 above, glaucous beneath ; the flowers are produced 

 from the axils of the leaves on slender red peduncles, 

 pendulous and bell-shaped, fringed round the edge, 

 yellowish-red, forming a continuous line of pendu- 

 lous bells all along the back of the slender branches, 

 rendering the plant very attractive. It blooms 

 several times during the season. Siam. 



Rhopala. — A genus of Proteaceous trees, of 

 great beauty ; when cut the wood has a heavy 

 smell, somewhat resembling boiled beef. When 

 growing Rhopalas require the heat of a stove, 

 but when the young wood is mature they may 

 be removed to the conservatory without injury. 

 Pot in equal parts of loam and peat, adding a little 

 sand. 



R. aurea — a fine tree with 

 pinnate leaves; the large 

 leaflets are oblique and 

 serrate at the edges, deep 

 green on the upper side, 

 paler beneath; the stem 

 and young growth are co- 

 vered with short golden- 

 yellow wool. Brazil. 



R. Corcovadense — leaves 

 pinnate, leaflets oblong- 

 acumiuate,with anoblique 

 base and serrated edges ; 

 deep bright green, the re- 

 verse side paler, stem and 

 young J eaves covered with 

 rich brown wool. Brazil. 



R. Jonghei— this fine species 

 may be compared to a 

 gigantic form of the pre- 

 ceding, which it resembles 

 saving in size, and being 

 of a brighter shade of 

 green ; it is the finest 

 species of the genus yet 

 introduced . Brazil. 



R. Skinnerii — leaves pin- 

 nate, slender, with narrow 

 leaflet which taper to a 

 point, and are seriate at 

 the edges, the upper side 

 being deep green, paler 

 beneath. Guatemala. 



Rhynchospermum. — More correctly Pare- 

 chites, but usage has so thoroughly connected the 

 name with this plant in the horticultural world, that 

 w T e retain it here ; it must not, however, be con- 

 founded with a genus of the same name belonging to 

 Composite. The genus now under consideration 

 belongs to the order Apocynacem ; the species are 

 woody climbers, producing Jasmine - like flowers. 

 Pot in peat and loam in equal parts, adding a little 

 sharp sand. In winter, Intermediate House ; when 

 growing, stove. 



R. jasmmoides. — A woody climber with opposite 

 leathery-green leaves ; the flowers are produced in 

 clusters at the ends of all the branches, pure white, 

 and very fragrant. It is a beautiful plant for a 

 rafter, or grown in a pot, trained over a balloon- 

 shaped trellis. It is also known as Parechites Thun- 

 bergii. Winter and spring months. Japan. 



Rivinia. — A. small genus of undershrubs belong- 

 ing to the order Phytolaccacece, or Bloodberry family ; 

 they are less conspicuous for their flowers than their 

 numerous highly -coloured berries, about the size of 

 small Peas ; like many of these soft-growung under- 

 shrubs they require to be well cared for, or they 

 present a wretched appearance. Pot in peat and 

 loam ; syringe freely, to prevent the ravages of red 

 spider. Stove. 



R. hamilis.— A small shrub with slender branches, 

 and soft, alternate, light green leaves. It has long 

 spikes of small white flowers, which are succeeded by 

 bright scarlet berries ; these remain upon the plant 

 for months. Tropical America, &c. 



R. tinctoria. — In growth and general appearance 

 resembling humilis ; the berries, how r ever, are deep 

 rich purple. Tropical America, «fcc. 



Rogiera. — This must not be confounded with the 

 genus Rogeria ; it belongs to the order of Cinchonads, 

 and is very ornamental. Pot in peat, leaf-mould, 

 loam, and sand, in about equal parts ; water mode- 

 rately. Intermediate House. 



R. gratissima. — Leaves opposite, coriaceous, and 

 deep green ; flowers produced in large terminal 



