PLANTS OF DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA 
43 
great clumps io to 12 feet across and 
considerably higher, but it loses much 
of its color when planted out. P. sanderi 
grows fully as large as veitchii, but re¬ 
tains at all seasons its marvelous color¬ 
ing. Grown in a sheltered position this 
is one of the most glorious plants we 
cultivate. P. candelabrum, the striped 
variety, is a fine plant, but loses some of 
its color in the open. I have a fine group 
of these three in a partly shaded place 
and as a mass of splendid tropical color 
and growth I have never seen it equalled. 
P. baptistii is beautifully striped and 
holds its color well; it is entirely free 
from spines. I have a mass of this that 
is 20 feet across and 12 feet high, that 
has been planted about five years. This 
will grow in very wet places. P. luzoni- 
cus and P. odoratissimus promise well. 
P. graminifolius is a delicate species 
which stands on stilted roots and P. paci- 
ficus is a beautiful, broad leaved species, 
but unfortunately both are excessively 
tender, even a chill injuring them. All 
do well on pine land. 
Pedilanthus tithymaloides is a succu¬ 
lent plant with curious red flowers 
shaped a little like a human foot. It is 
beginning to be naturalized. 
Pelargonium. The Horseshoe Gera¬ 
niums do not succeed here when planted 
out, as a general thing, though they are 
sometimes grown in pots. The 'scented 
Pelargoniums do very well for a while 
if fertilized. 
Ravenala. Two species of noble 
plants, though R. madagascariensis is 
commonly called “Travelers’ Tree.” It 
forms a trunk though it does not branch, 
and has distichous leaves. It does fairly 
well on pine land, but flourishes best in 
rich, damp soil. I have a specimen about 
six years planted which is placed in such 
a situation and it is the finest I have 
seen. It is 25 feet high and is just begin¬ 
ning to form a trunk which is 4 feet 
and 11 inches in circumference at the 
ground. It has 17 leaves with a spread 
of 29 feet, their stems being about 10 
feet long and the blades 3 feet wide and 
9 feet or more in length. The flattened 
leaf stems where they join the trunk are 
as large as a man’s arm ; at the blades 
about the size of his wrist. It has re¬ 
cently bloomed. It is easily the most 
striking plant on the place. R, guyanen- 
sis has not done well with me. 
Richardia, the well-known Calla Lily, 
is only a partial success here. 
Russelia juncea, a slender, twiggy 
stemmed plant, bearing quantities of 
coral' red, tubular flowers, is beginning 
to be naturalized here. It is a Mexican 
plant and is perfectly adapted to our 
poor soil and is always in blossom. A 
variety Lemoinei is more floriferous than 
the type. 
Sansevieria zeylanica, a striking, varie¬ 
gated plant, takes absolute possession of 
the soil to the exclusion of almost every¬ 
thing else wherever planted. I have two 
other species. 
Strobilanthus dyerianus is a handsome 
plant variegated with iridescent tints of 
purple and bronze. It has never done 
well for me, but perhaps it might suc¬ 
ceed in rich, damp soil, partly shaded, 
where it would not be troubled by land 
crabs. 
Strelitzia. Magnificent plants with the 
leaves distichously placed, bearing pecu¬ 
liar, very handsome blossoms called 
Bird of Paradise Flowers. I have S. 
reginae, a small species, and S. augusta, 
which reaches a height of 18 feet. 
Tillandsias and Vriesias all do well 
here fastened firmly to trees in the ham¬ 
mock. V. splendens is a lovely plant, 
its leaves barred across with brown. 
Cryptanthus zonatus is a beautiful 
epiphyte, also barred. 
Tradescantia discolor is a fine plant 
with deep purple under surfaces of the 
leaves that will do well here almost any¬ 
where. It is a good plant for rock work, 
as is its near relative, Zebrina pendula. 
Vinca rosea. Commonly called Mad¬ 
agascar periwinkle. Wherever man goes 
in South Florida this plant goes also. 
There is a purple, a pure white and. a 
white variety with a red eye. The white 
variety is the most vigorous and florifer¬ 
ous and works up beautifully in bouquets. 
If given a little extra care in the way of 
fertilizing the growth will be finer and 
the flowers larger. 
Xanthosoma violaceum. A grand 
plant with immense arrow head leaves 
