42 



THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



hybrid is shown by its coming true from seed, and by its dif- 

 ferently colored flowers. There is no other species of phlox in 

 the neighborhood with flowers of a similar color. 



One of the interesting things connected with the silvery 

 lavender phlox is its tendenc}^ to vary within certani lines under 

 cultivation. The variations in flower color, are of course, most 

 noticeable, but it also presents differences in the size and shape 

 of the blossoms, in height and in floriferousness. By selective 

 breeding, four principal strains of flowers have been devel- 

 oped. At one extreme are found flowers of pure ivory white 

 and at the other, flowers of flne, clear violet. Bet\yeen these 

 there is one strain of pale lavender with deeper lavender nectar 

 guides and another of lavender with a pink eye. In addition to 

 these there are many forms that might be. made the basis of 

 further breeding" experiments with encouraging results. 



A visit was recently made to the type locality of the spec- 

 ies in search of other interesting variations from the type, and 

 some two hundred specimens were brought home for further 

 study. There is no doubt but that in this species we have a 

 series of forms quite as extensive and remarkable as those 

 fo'Und in the evening primrose which have recently received so 

 much attention. 



In the short space of time during which the plant has been 

 under cultivation, it has shown a remarkable capacity for re- 

 sponding to good treatment. In the wild, it seldom sends up 

 as many as a dozen flowering stems — usually the number is 

 less than half a dozen — but in the writer's garden single plants 

 have produced more than 125 flowering" stems at one time. The 

 effect of such a mass of flowers is indicated in our illustration, 

 though a photograph but faintly represents the beauty of the 

 plant when in full bloom. 



