110 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 



three to four feet high. The bulbs should be planted 

 in the open border, where they can have slight protec- 

 tion, and need only to be taken up when over-crowded. 



G. recurvus (Kecurved). — An unassuming yet 

 interesting species. It is a tall 5 slender-growing plant, 

 producing from two to five violet-purple flowers of small 

 size, tinged with yellow. The sheath is white, mottled 

 with purplish-brown, "and is as glossy as the finest porce- 

 lain, which, in a measure, it resembles. It has a fra- 

 grance like that of the violet. 



G. purpureo-auratus. — A tall, slender-growing 

 species of very graceful habit, producing freely yellow 

 and purplish flowers. Not remarkable for its beauty so 

 much as because of its parentage of the Lemoine Hybrids ; 

 a deservedly popular class, far superior in all the require- 

 ments of a desirable flower. 



G. Saundersii. — One of the best of the species^ 

 and the parent of a new strain, of which we shall have 

 occasion to speak, in noticing hybrids. It is remarkable 

 for its ease of culture, and for its brilliant scarlet flow- 

 ers, with conspicuous pure white centers. It grows 

 about two feet high, giving a fair sized spike of blooms. 



G. suaveolens (Fragrant). — If the Gladiolus were 

 grown for fragrance alone, this species would be the one 

 most sought. Its flowers are pale yellow, or straw col- 

 ored, the upper petals dotted with red. It is only 

 adapted for greenhouse culture. 



G. undulatus (Wavy). — This is a dwarf-growing 

 species, producing pale yellow flowers with a broad red 

 stripe through the center of each petal, on a slender 

 stem. Barely cultivated. 



G. viperatus (Viper). — It derives its common 

 name from the resemblance of its flowers to a viper's 

 head. This species is more singular than beautiful. 

 The very fragrant flowers are greenish-gray, with dark 

 stripes. 



