SWEET'SMELLIXG PLANTS 



II 



wife of Maiisoliis, king of Caria. A common hardy shrub found in 

 old-fashioned cottage gardens, and probably would have gone out 

 of cultivation if it had not been cherished there, yet it is easy to 

 grow, and no collection of scented things would be complete with- 

 out it ; the feathery foliage emits a peculiar fragrance, and is largely 

 used in the bouquets of country people, and village decorations, it 

 is also extensively emploj^ed for keeping the moth away from 

 clothes. When grown in suitable places it bears a small yellow 

 flower. A. annua is an annual that gives abundance of elegant, 

 graceful, fern-like foliage, for working into bouquets or other 

 arrangements of cut flowers. But this is not all, its foliage and 

 compact sprays of miniature green buds and blossoms are highly 

 fragrant, having the strong, delicate and refreshing odour of the 

 Chamomile. This at once makes a most valuable foliage plant for 

 cutting, one of the best that can be grown in the garden. 



A. odoratissimiun is an herbaceous variety at all times pleasing 

 from the peculiar whitish hue of its foliage, with heads of densely 

 crowded milk-white flowers, which difl"use a most delicious fragrance 

 for some distance around. 



A. a.hsinthiinn is the common Wormwood found wild in many 

 parts, both the flowers and leaves of this variety possess a peculiar 

 aromatic scent, somewhat resembling Peppermint. A. vulgaris, 

 Maywort, is another species, with fragrant associations, largely 

 used in Hindu ceremonies. A. Bracuncuhis is the Tarragon of 

 gardens, with peculiarl}^ scented leaves. A. glacialis is powerfully 

 aromatic. 



Arum sanctum {BlacJc CaUa).—A scented variety of this elegant 

 tribe of liliaceous plants is a native of Palestine, and where, growing 

 wild and in considerable numbers, it forms, as may readily be 

 understood, a very striking and uncommon feature. In spring it 

 produces one large sweet-scented flower rising in a vigorous stalk, 

 brown red at the lower part, and green at the top, giving the whole 

 plant a stately and elegant appearance. 



Asarum virginicum.— A small American shrubby plant with heart- 

 shaped leaves and inconspicuous scented flowers. A. mairanthiim, 

 a curious Chinese species, has marbled leaves, which emit a strong 

 aromatic odour. 



Asclepias {Swallou: Worf, Jamaica Liquorice), — A genus of shrubby 

 perennial plants possessing medicinal virtues, their natural habitat 

 is chiefly America, where they are found growing wild in many 

 parts of the Central States ; both the Virginian and the tuberous- 

 rooted kinds bear highly odoriferous white, orange coloured, or dull 

 red flowers, especially powerful towards evening. A, incarnato. 



