94 
THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET 
OCHNA MULTIFLORA. 
W E are indebted to The Garden for the following 
history of this interesting greenhouse shrub, which 
has not yet been introduced into this country: “ Several 
years ago (about 1878) Mr. B. S. Williams exhibited, 
among a miscellaneous group of plants at the summer 
show at South Kensington, a shrub which, from its beau¬ 
tiful flowers and fruits, elegance of growth, and altogether 
uncommon aspect, stood out prominently from all the rest, 
and on that account attracted a great deal of attention. 
The plant shown was about five feet high, and had a clean, 
straight stem, surmounted by a bushy, umbrella-like head 
three feet or more across. Every branch and twig was 
wreathed with fruits and flowers, the fruits being in 
various stages of ripening; the receptacles varied in color 
from green to a brilliant scarlet, while the fruits proper 
ranged from pea-green to the deepest and richest shade of 
violet-purple. These, contrasted with the clear yellow 
blossoms expanded at the same time, made a beautiful 
contrast, as regards color, seldom seen among plants. 
Indeed, there are few cultivated plants in which the fruits 
are so peculiarly formed and exhibit so much diversity of 
color. The most familiar example is in the spindle tree 
(. Euonymus ). This ochna seems to flower throughout the 
year more or less profusely, and consequently it has a 
perennial show of fruit. It is, however, during spring and 
early summer that it is in its greatest beauty. This plant 
appears to have been cultivated in botanical gardens years 
ago, but eventually lost; it must, therefore, be considered 
to be a most valuable reintroduction. Being a native of 
Tropical Africa, this species, consequently, requires a 
stove (high) temperature and a moist atmosphere, and 
under these conditions it thrives admirably in Mr. Wil¬ 
liams’ nursery. It is, however, exceedingly difficult to 
propagate, hence no doubt the cause of its having been 
lost to cultivation. When, however, the young plants are 
well established, they seem to thrive under very ordinary 
treatment. It is naturally inclined to be rather a strag¬ 
gling grower, but with very little care with r regard to 
pinching and cutting, it may be made to grow into a 
shapely and elegant bush.” 
Respecting this plant, Mr. Hemsley writes as follows 
“ It is widely spread throughout South Africa, and varies 
in stature from a bush two or three feet high to a tree of 
thirty or forty feet high. Like all the other members of the 
genus, it has yellow petals, and after these and the sta¬ 
mens fall away, the sepals grow out and change to a deep 
glowing red, as well as the fleshy receptacle on which are 
seated the purple draplets. The latter vary in number 
from one to five, and sometimes not even one grows out. 
This depends upon the ovules being fertilized; so it is 
worth while taking the trouble to ensure this being effected 
by artificial means. Every traveler mentions the agree¬ 
able fragrance of its flowers, and Burchell says they have 
the smell of wallflowers. When unadorned with its 
flowers or fruits, it is rather scrubby and naked-looking. 
Still there is no doubt that a skillful gardener could im¬ 
prove its appearance as to leafage while losing nothing of 
its floral beauty.” 
