1868 . } 
IRESINE LINDENI-AERIAL ROOTS. 
169 
IRESINE LINDENI. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
F the several species of the Amaranthaceoiis order which furnish 
highly-coloured leaves for flower-garden decoration, the plant we now 
figure promises to he one of the most useful. Its habit is dwarf 
and freely branched, producing an abundance of twiggy shoots, which 
are clothed with lance-shaped leaves of moderate size, and of a deep 
blood-red colour, the midrib appearing as a broad purplish hand. This 
colouring, M. Van Houtte observes, is varied as the foliage is moved by the 
wind, so that the plant presents different shades of violet, purple, and deep 
rose, a deep red hue predominating. It is said to grow from about 
H foot to 2 feet high, and the leaves, as will be seen by our figure, have 
this great advantage over those of Iresine Herbstii, irrespective of their 
better colour, that they present a clean, flat, even surface, instead of one 
which is so concave as to appear distorted. 
Iresine Lindeni has been quite recently introduced from Ecuador by 
M. Linden, by whom it was exhibited for the first time at the great Ghent 
Show in April last. It has subsequently passed into the hands of M. Van 
Houtte, of Ghent, by whom it is now being distributed, and to whose 
admirable chromo-lithographic press we are indebted for our figure. 
This new Iresine appears to us a plant of so promising a character for 
the summer garden, that we have no hesitation in recommending all who 
are interested in bedding-out, to procure at once the necessary materials 
for giving a passing trial in the course of the remaining summer months, 
and for working-up a stock for more extended use another season. In 
Belgium such experience as there has yet been time to gain in the present 
season is, we hear, altogether in favour of the plant, which is said to brave full 
exposure to the sun with impunity, and to produce a very fine effect when 
used in larger or smaller masses, the plant increasing in vigour and in 
brilliancy of colouring when fairly established out-doors. Young plants 
which have been sent over to the London shows, prove it to possess a 
depth of colour which we have no doubt, under the influences of free 
growth and bright light, will have an excellent effect. ^ 
AERIAL ROOTS UPON VINES. 
ring the production of aerial roots upon 
appearance being due chiefly to the 
itmosphere. I say chiefly, because I 
Allow me to relate an instance of the 
undoubted effects of a moist atmosphere in their production. A year 
3rd Ser.— i. 
i 
