32 GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY 
about them is obvious to the visitor. Among the few exceptions to this 
rule are the following: 
Alocasia, a genus of gorgeous foliage plants from eastern Asia, repre- 
sented here by more than a dozen species, some of which produce 
edible roots. ' 
Anthurium Warocqueanum, a handsome and rare plant from Colombia, 
noted for its heavy, velvety green leaves that are veined with lighter 
green. The Conservatory has an unusually large collection of 
anthuriums, representing about 24 species and a number of horticul- 
tural varieties. This, however, is the handsomest species shown here. 
Caladium. ‘The caladiums are foliage plants that present an almost 
endless variety of coloring and markings. They are natives of South 
America. In their native lands they are valued for their ‘‘bulbs’’, or 
rootstocks, which furnish a valuable source of food. The leaves of 
many species are eaten as a vegetable. With us the plants are grown 
as ornamentals, the best known being the species esculentum, or 
elephant’s ear. This collection is a large and valuable one, containing 
representatives of nearly 120 distinct species and_ horticultural 
varieties. 
Calathea crotalifera, or RATTLESNAKE PLANT, a native of Guatemala, 
belongs to the Zingiberaceae, the family to which ginger belongs. 
The plant gets its name from the shape of its seedpods and the sound 
they make when shaken by the wind. 
Calathea pulchella, a related species from Brazil, is a most gorgeous 
foliage plant. The upper surface of the leaves looks like dark green 
velvet, the lower surface like purple silk. 
Calathea sp., two unidentified calatheas grown from seed brought from 
Africa by a missionary. These are among the most spectacular foliage 
plants in the Conservatory. 
Carica Papaya—See Economic House. 
Ceropegia Woodii, or RosARY VINE, a native of Natal, belongs to the 
Asclepiadaceae, the family to which our milkweed belongs. 
Cissampelos Pareira, or FALSE PAREIRA, a native of all tropical 
countries, belongs to the Menisperaceae, the family to which our local 
moonseed vine belongs. The * Pareira brava’ of medicine is derived 
from the root of a related species. 
Cissus, a tropical foliage vine, belongs to the Vitaceae, the same family 
to which the grape and the Virginia creeper belong. It is represented 
here by 3 species. 
Columnea schiedeana, a native of Mexico, belongs to the Gesneraceae, 
a family with no local representatives. It is a choice climber that 
bears handsome scarlet flowers. 
Costus, or SPIRAL FLAG, is a member of the Zingiberaceae, the family 
to which ginger belongs. Two species are grown in this house. 
Dieffenbachia, or DumB CANE, is a genus of Aeroids from Central and 
South America. The collection here is one of the largest in the country. 
