90 
THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
produced in either panicles or corymbs. All the plants belonging to this genus are easily distinguished by the 
singular shape of the bud, which resembles that of a flame ; the segments of the limb of the corolla are twisted, 
so as to lie over each other, like those of the Periwinkle, and this construction is not found in any other genus 
belonging to the order. The word Phlox signifies flame. The old name of these plants was Lychnidea. 
§ 1 . Leaves broad ; barren stems wanting. 
1.— PHLOX ACUMINATA, Pursh. THE POINTED-LEAVED PHLOX, OR COMMON LYCHNIDEA. 
Synonymes. — Phlox decussata, Lyons ; the cross-leaved Phlox. sub-petiolate, exactly decussate, rough on the upper surface, and hairy 
Engraving. — Bot. Mag. t. 1880. 
Specific Character. — Erect, pubescent ; stem angular ; leaves 
ovate-lanceolate, acuminate ; lower ones narrow towards the base, and 
below ; flowers in a panicled corymb, on very short pedicels ; seg- 
ments of the corolla rounded ; tube pubescent ; segments of the calyx 
bristly. 
Description, &c. — This is a very handsome species, the flowers varying in colour from a dark blue or purple 
to a rose-colour. The stem, which is square, grows about three feet high, and the leaves are decussate ; that is, 
if one pair points north and south, the next pair points east and west, and so on. The leaves are all hairy 
beneath, and rough on the upper surface. This species is a native of Georgia and South Carolina, whence it 
was introduced in 1812. It is rather more tender than most of the other species of Phlox, and it flowers very 
late in the season, its blossoms seldom expanding before September or October. It will grow in any common 
garden soil, and it is propagated by dividing the root. 
2.— -PHLOX ODORATA, Sivt. THE SWEET-SCENTED PHLOX. 
spotted with irregular scabs or marks ; leaves acuminate, smooth, 
rough at the margin ; flowers disposed in a panicled raceme, sweet- 
scented ; teeth of the calyx ovate, very short ; segments of the corolla 
wedge-shaped. 
Synonyme. — Phlox bimaculata, Hort. 
Engravings. — Sweet’s Brit. Flow. Gard. t. 224 ; and our fig. 2, 
in PI. 74. 
Specific Character. — Stem erect, branching in the upper part, and 
Description, &c. — This species is remarkable for the beauty of its flowers, which are of a bright rose-colour, 
and remarkably sweet-scented. The stem generally grows about three feet high, and the panicle of flowers is 
frequently above a foot in length. The blossoms, which begin to expand in June, remain open for a long time. 
It will grow in any common garden soil ; and though the stems are frequently killed down to tlie ground in 
severe weather, the roots will generally send up fresh shoots in spring. The species is a native of North 
America, and was introduced about 1825. It is remarked that the flowers of this jilant will preserve their 
fragrance for a very long time when dried. The plant is increased by dividing its roots, or by cuttings, which 
strike readilv. 
3.— PHLOX REFLEXA, Swt. THE REFLEXED-LE.AVED PHLOX. 
Engraving. — Sweet’s Brit. Flow. Gard. t. 232. i in a close, crowded panicle, very sweet-scented ; teeth of the calyx 
Specific Character. — Stem clothed with a short rough pubescence, lanceolate, spreading ; tube of the corolla smooth, curved, segments of 
spotted. Leaves very much reflexed, smooth, and shining. Flowers | the limb roundly obovate, imbricated at the base. 
Description, &c. — This species very closely resembles the last, excepting in the leaves, which are very 
distinct, and in the colour of the flowers, which is much darker ; besides which, each segment of the limb is 
marked with a dark purple spot at the base. The stamens are more seen than in most of the other kinds of Phlox, 
and the pollen is of a golden yellow. This plant is evidently a hybrid, but its exact parentage is not known. It 
grows best in peat soil, and it is propagated by cuttings, which, if taken off early in spring, and struck under 
hand-glasses, will make flowering plants the following summer. 
