ZIZ 
ZIZ 
flowers are axillary, several together, 
small, greenish-white, not at all con¬ 
spicuous. The bark and capsules of this 
species have a pungent, acrid taste, and 
have been recommended to alleviate pains 
in the teeth and gums. The other species 
are, mite and tricarpum , both shrubs of 
moderate growth, also with pinnate leaves, 
but distinguished from the preceding by 
having prickly petioles and branches. 
They are all natives of North America, 
and have been in our gardens for a 
lengthened period, though still rarely 
seen. They are, however, worthy a place 
in the shrubbery, for the reasons assigned 
in recommending the previous genus, and 
we should be much pleased to see nur¬ 
serymen preparing a more extended 
choice for their customers in the culture 
of such genera as, by neglect, are rapidly 
becoming obsolete. The hardy Xan- 
thoxylums grow with great freedom in a 
peat soil, though they do not refuse the 
ordinary earth of gardens, if of tolerable 
quality, and porous. They resist crowd¬ 
ing, but are impatient of drip. Increase 
is effected by cuttings of the current 
year’s growth, taken in August, and 
struck in sandy peat and loam under a 
handglass, the protection of which should 
be continued them through the succeed¬ 
ing winter. 
ZIZIPHOBA (Linn.) Nat. Order, 
Labiate. Two species of this genus 
come within the description of hardy 
under-shrubs. They are small, neatly 
pretty objects, fitted for ornamenting 
rockwork or the immediate front of shrub¬ 
bery borders. One of them, Z. clinopo- 
diodes , is an interesting little plant, with 
the general appearance of a thyme, and 
small pink flowers, numerously produced. 
It has two varieties : the first, canescens, 
distinguished by its ciliated, almost hoary 
leaves; and the second, media, by its 
larger foliage. Both have terminal heads 
of red flowers, produced freely in the 
months of July and August, and of suf¬ 
ficient brilliancy to be conspicuous in the 
position before mentioned. They rise 
only a few inches from the ground, and, 
by reason of their natural spreading habit, 
form dense tufts, which, when -well-esta¬ 
blished, are thickly dotted with blossoms. 
The other species referred to {Z. da- 
syantha) is a completely procumbent 
plant; the stems and leaves are hairy, 
the first particularly so in a recent state; 
the flowers are axillary as well as ter¬ 
minal ; in the latter state they are pro¬ 
duced in dense heads of a bright red 
colour. All the kinds delight in well- 
drained, porous soil, preferring a mixture 
of peat, loam, and sand. Accumulated 
moisture is often fatal to them, and on 
this account they are by some deemed 
tender; but, in a dry situation, they bear 
with impunity our average seasons, and, in 
the event of extremely severe weather, are 
easily preserved by covering them with a 
layer of light litter. Propagation is easy, 
both by cuttings and separation of the re¬ 
cent stems already rooted, where they 
come in contact with the earth. These 
young plants, however, should be grown 
in pots till they have attained a good size, 
lest they suffer from damp. 
ZIZIPHUS (Toubnefort). Nat. Ord. 
Rliamnacers. The hardy species of this 
genus are for the most part interesting 
evergreen shrubs, with deep green, shining 
leaves, and greenish-yellow flowers, which 
in some instances is followed by edible 
fruit. Z. lotus bears a fruit, pleasant to 
the palate, sweet, and mealy. The plant 
is one of the tenderest to be trusted in 
the open air; it, however, succeeds when 
grown against a south wall, and in the 
worst weather may be protected with 
mats. 
Z.jlexuosa, vulgaris, spina-Christi, and 
its variety itiermis, are all handsome shrubs 
of medium habit, each of the species being 
armed with spines, generally borne in 
pairs, and have ample glossy leaves. They 
all grow freely in common garden soil of 
good quality, and should be included in 
everv collection of evergreens. Z. incurva 
t v O 
differs from the preceding in assuming 
the form of a tree, and is deciduous; its 
large handsome leaves and pretty berries 
render it very desirable. Propagation is 
rather tardily effected by cuttings of half- 
ripened wood struck under hand-lights, or 
by pieces of the roots treated in the 
same manner; the latter method is the 
quickest, and, with care, the young plants 
grow sufficiently large for transplanting 
in about two vears. 
V 
THE END. 
9 
