SWEET-SMELLING PLANTS 



9 



the East and West Indies. Several species are remarkable for 

 their fragrant leaves, notably A, reticulata, with foliage that smells 

 like black currants. 



Anthemis nobilis (Chamomile). — A well-known perennial plant that is 

 found growing wild in many parts of Britain. Its flowers, which 

 possess peculiar scented attractions, are largely used for medicinal 

 purposes. An old writer describes it as the plant physician, for 

 not only will decoctions, and the dried leaves powdered, destroy 

 insects, but that nothing contributes so much to the health of a 

 garden as a number dispersed through it. He further adds that 

 no greenhouse should be without it, for if a plant that is drooping 

 and apparently dying is placed near the Chamomile it will recover. 

 An eminent doctor also affirms that if a piece of the plant is laid 

 under the pillow it is an effectual preventative of the dreaded 

 nightmare. There are two varieties, the single and double, and 

 both can readily be grown from seed. The Pyrethrum is closely 

 allied to this plant. 



Anthericum liliastrum (St. Bruno's Lily). — A bulbous-rooted perennial 

 plant from South Africa, with long succulent leaves, and bearing 

 a profusion of spikes of white fragrant flowers in spring. There 

 are few of the dwarf Liliaceous plants which will bear comparison 

 with the charming old St. Bruno's Lily. For a front position in 

 mixed borders it will be found to be very efi'ective. It bears many 

 spikes of spotless white flowers, about two inches long, bell-shaped, 

 nearly twice the size of the common A. liliago, which are extremely 

 fragrant, and keep long in a cut state. A. alvoides, yellow, is 

 also daintily scented. 



Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet-scented Vernal Gi^ass).— It is to the 

 presence of this grass that hay, from natural meadows so 

 largely owes its peculiar fragrance, and it seems curious that this 

 attraction should come from the stem and not the flower. The 

 vernal grass is certainly, when dried, very powerful ; but there is 

 little doubt that other grasses assist in composing the scent of the 

 hay, since even when gathered and dried separately, many of them 

 yield a degree of perfume. 



Anthurium Duchardi. — A beautiful type of this elegant epiphyte 

 bearing white flowers that are deliciously fragrant. A. ornatum, 

 bearing white and blue flowers, is a peculiarly scented variety from 

 Central America. 



Apios tuberosa. — A tuberous-rooting plant, found wild in many parts 

 of America ; very serviceable as a climber for keeping unsightly 

 objects covered up. It is an annual in growth, but the tubers in- 

 crease in the ground ; in appearance it somewhat resembles our Hop, 



