LY'THRUM DIFFU'SUM. 
DIFFUSE LYTHRUM. 
Class. Order. 
DODECANDRIA. MONOCYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
LYTIiRA RIE AS. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
N. America. 
18 inches. 
July, Aug. 
Perennial. 
in 1800. 
No. 470. 
The Greek lythron, signifying clotted or black 
blood, gave this name, from the flower’s hue. 
The specific appellation of this plant, in some de- 
gree, conveys an idea of its being a diffuse and a 
straggling plant. Although its branches, when long, 
are more or less spreading, they simply require a 
little tying together, which will produce a neat and 
unobtrusive growth. It is not, however, in all sit- 
uations, that compactness or neatness of growth is 
really advantageous, either to the appearance of the 
plant, or the general effect produced in the little 
landscape of a flower garden. It is evident, that in 
small gardens, where neatness of keeping forms one 
of the most attractive and pleasing features, a sacri- 
fice must oftentimes be made of the natural charac- 
teristic vegetable outline, especially amongst the her- 
baceous kinds. These, and more particularly such 
as are only of annual growth, are apt to ramble 
widely and inconveniently, over a space which can- 
not be afforded them. Their succulency and ten- 
derness generally unfits them for self-support. The 
consequence is evident; assistance must be given; 
and a most inharmonious appearance may be the 
