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Aristolochia (Birthwort) N. O. Aristolochiaceae A large genus 
of wide distribution containing plants with flowers more curious 
than pretty. They are interesting because of the variety of the forms 
of flowers. These entice the insects required for fertilization pur- 
poses by emitting a most unpleasant odour. Only one species of the 
genus has a pleasant odour, i.e. A. tricaudata, a native of Mexico. 
This species, however, is unsuitable as a climber growing more in the 
nature of a shrub. The genus is of easy culture, most varieties 
requiring very little pruning if any. Propagation by seeds or cuttings. 
A elegans : — One of the prettiest forms of all the Aristolochias. 
Flowers solitary, produced on the young wood ; perianth a circular, 
shallow saucer-like expansion, fully 3 inches across, grey and reddish- 
purple with the throat dark velvet ; sack and tube greenish white. 
Leaves reinform-cordate and glabrous. Moderately strong grower 
and suitable for small treJJis work. 
A. gigas var Sturtevantii : — This is the largest form of the genus. 
Flowers gray, mixed with purple; perianth large and cordate with 
purple veins going towards the tube which is darker in colour. Tube 
inflated, limb large, cordate — ovate ending in a long tail often 18 
inches long. Leaves downy, cordate-acuminnate. Height 10 feet. 
Banister ia N. O. Malphigiaceae : — Many of the genus are very 
ornamental shrubs or climbers, natives of South America. Flowers 
usually yellow ; calyx 5 parted and petals furnished with long 
stalks. Leaves simple and stalked. Propagation by cuttings or 
layering. 
B. laurifolia : — Flowers yellow, having a slight resemblance to 
Stigmaphyllum or Oncidium. Free grower but moderately floriferous. 
Bauhinia (Mountain Ebony). N. 0 . Leguminosae : — Showy ever- 
green climbers and shrubs. Flowers racemose; petals 5, spread- 
ing, oblong and rather unequal in size. Leaves two-lobed. As they 
require to be of considerable age before they show to full advantage, I 
only mention them in passing. Suitable for climbing large trees and 
when in flower are beautiful. 
Beaumontia N. O. Apocynaceae : — Very ornamental plants with 
handsome flowers. Propagation by seed. 
B, grandiflpra: — A robust grower suitable either for low trellis 
or as a spreading plant on lawns. Flowers almost pure white, large 
and trumpet shaped Native of East Indies. 
Bignonia N. 0 . Bignoniaceae : — This is a large genus of scan- - 
dent plants furnished with tendrils. The flowers are axillary and 
terminal, usually panicled ; corolla with a short tube, a companulate 
throat and a 5-lobed bilabiate limb. The leaves are opposite. The 
genus contains some of the most beautiful of our climbers. Propaga- 
tion by cuttings. 
