APIOS. — AMSiEHA. 



31 



APIOS. 



Ground Nut. 

 A. tuberosa. — The only species is a beautiful, free- 

 flowering, climbing plant, common near the coast from 

 Maine to the Carolinas. It grows, when given support, 

 from six to eight feet high, producing axillary clusters of 

 purplish-brown, very fragrant flowers, not unlike the 

 Wistaria, to which it is allied. It is readily propagated 

 by division of its tubers, which are freely produced on 

 underground stems, and are edible. It is perfectly 

 hardy, and when once planted it will take care of itself. 

 For a moist, partially shaded situation, we do not know 

 of a more desirable climbing plant. 



AKISiEMA. 

 Dragon and Arum. 



This genus embraces a great variety of forms, some 

 beautiful in flower and leaf, some hideous in flower, but 

 in plant most remarkable, as the plant is but a strong 

 stem, spotted, and terminal, with but few leaves, which 

 are sometimes much divided. Our native species are very 

 beautiful in foliage, flower and fruit. They grow in 

 shaded places, in deep, rich soil, and of a large size. 



A. Dracontium (Common Green Dragon). — This 

 species is abundant in damp woods in many parts of the 

 country; it has handsome hastate leaves and green 

 flowers. This is a beautiful plant under cultivation ; it 

 should be grown in the shade with ferns, then the effect 

 is pleasing. 



A. triphyllum (Indian Turnip). It is quite as 

 generally known as Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and is well worth 

 growing, both for the flowers and its fruit. In a shaded, 

 moist situation, it grows much larger than in the woods. 



