SWEET-SMELLING PLANTS 



41 



Europe ; the whole plant emits an agreeable Citron-like odour, and 

 is also said to exhale an inflammable vapour, perceptible after dark. 

 The daughter of Linn^us is stated to have been the first discoverer 

 of this peculiar property. The plant is not uncommon in old- 

 fashioned cottage gardens, but not nearly so frequently as it ought 

 to be, considering its beauty and the fine balsamic odour it gives 

 out when rubbed or pressed. It produces a profusion of spikes of 

 rosy purple flowers ; there is also a white and giant red variety, 

 and both are easily grown from seed. 

 Dielytra chrysantha. — An herbaceous perennial from California, with 

 golden yellow blossoms, produced in great abundance. 



' This remarkable plant is blooming as vigorously with me as it does 

 on its native Californian hills, and it has been in flower for the last eight 

 weeks. The blossoms, which are produced in such abundance, have a 

 peculiar and agreeable odour. In good soil the flower stems reach a height 

 of five to six feet.' — Garden. 



Dietes Huttoni [Butterfly Flag). — A half-hardy perennial Iris-like plant, 



with yellow and crimson flowers that are very sweet scented. 

 Dill. See Anethum. 



Dillenia indica. — A handsome Eastern tropical tree, with large pure 

 white fragrant flowers. 



Dioscorea batatta (Yam, Madeira or Cinnamon Vine). — A pretty 

 climbing plant with tuberous roots, largely cultivated in warm 

 climates. The roots are imported and used as a vegetable ; it has 

 not yet, however, taken hold of the British taste, and its chief 

 patrons appear to be those whose sojourn in tropical climes have 

 taught them to appreciate its edible properties. It has been found 

 to thrive out of doors in sheltered situations in the South of 

 England, where the highly ornamental appearance of its elegant 

 heart-shaped leaves and hanging clusters of sweet-scented white 

 flowers is very effective. Grown from roots, which can be obtained 

 in Covent Garden market at certain seasons. 



Diosma ericoides [Heath-leaved Diosma), — A half-hardy evergreen 

 shrub from South Africa, with small white flowers that are pro- 

 duced at the end of the branches ; they possess a powerful and 

 aromatic scent, as do the leaves also, especially noticeable when 

 rubbed in the hand. 



Diotis ceratoides. — A Siberian shrub, with insignificant flowers that 

 possess a slight scent of honey sweetness. 



Dipterix odorata. — The Central American tree that produces the 

 scented Tonga Bean of commerce. 



Dipyrena. — A genus of hardy shrubs from Chili. D. glahrescens bears 

 spikes of tubular sweet-scented Verbena-like flowers. 



