Chapter 28

FIG. 231. BEGONIAMANICATA.

B. manicata(tunicated).* Stem fleshy, twisted, short.l.oblique, ovate-acute, cordate, dentate-ciliate, smooth on both sides, shining green nerves on under side, with fleshy, scale-like hairs.fl.pink, dipetalous, in branching cymes; upper portion of stalk scaly. Capsule wings nearly equal. Winter. Mexico, 1842. See Fig. 231.B. Manni(Mann's). S. Stem succulent, 2ft. to 3ft. high, branched, green; branchlets, young parts, petioles, and leaf-nerves clothed with rusty, furfuraceous pubescence.l.petioled, 5in. long, 2in. wide, lanceolate, cordate, acuminate, toothed.fl.numerous, rose-red, in axillary cymes; peduncle 1in. long. Capsule linear, densely tomentose. Winter. Fernando Po, 1862. (B. M. 5434.)B. marmorea(spotted). A variety ofB. xanthina.B. Martiana(Martin's). A variety ofB. gracilis.B. maxima(large).* Rhizome thick, hairy, creeping.l.large, oblique, orbicular-ovate, cordate, shortly acuminate; margins denticulate ciliate; petiole long, pilose.fl.in branching cymes; sepals orbicular, pilose on the outside, white. Summer. Mexico, 1853.B. megaphylla(large-leaved).* Stem short, thick, fleshy.l.large, palmate, cordate; lobes numerous, pointed; margins hairy, under side slightly pilose; nerves with scaly hairs.fl.in diffuse cymes, small, white; peduncles pilose. Capsule wings wide. Winter. Mexico.B. metallica(metallic). A variety ofB. incarnata.B. Meyeri(Meyer's). S. Stem erect, stout, woody when mature.l.large, broadly and obliquely ovate, fleshy, pale green; margin sinuate, under side tinged with rose; both petiole and blade covered with short hairs.fl.on long axillary peduncles, in large paniculate heads, white. Capsule wings equal. Summer. Brazil, 1844. (B. M. 4100.)B. microphylla(small-leaved). Synonymous withB. foliosa.B. microptera(small-winged). Stem 1ft. high, terete, green, pubescent, as in the rest of the plant. Branches few.l.sub-distichous, 4in. to 6in. long, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, serrated, dark green; petiole short; stipules as long as petiole.fl.in terminal panicles, medium-sized, white, tinted rose. Capsule long, triangular, two angles wingless, the other with a narrow wing. Winter. Borneo, 1856. (B. M. 4974.)B. miniata(vermilion). A variety ofB. fuchsioides.B. monoptera(single-winged).* Stem erect, 1ft. to 2ft. high, rounded, swollen at the joints, dull red, papillose and downy. Radical leaves on long red stalks, large, reniform, truncate at the base; caulescent leaves smaller, on short petioles, angled,crenate, dark green above, red below, and minutely papillose.fl.on an elongated terminal raceme, white. Capsule three-angled, two wingless, the other with a long pointed wing. Summer. Brazil, 1826. A distinct and pretty species. (B. M. 3564.)B. Moritziana(Moritz's). Synonymous withB. scandens.B. natalensis(Natal).* T. Rootstock thick, fleshy. Stem 1½ft. high, succulent, thick at the base, articulate, branched, smooth.l.unequal, semicordate, acuminate, lobed, toothed, spotted with white.fl.on axillary cymose peduncles, pale rose.fr.three-winged, two large, one small. Winter. Natal, 1855. (B. M. 4841.)B. nelumbiifolia(Nelumbium-leaved).* Rhizome thick, fleshy, creeping.l.on long hairy petioles; blade 12in. to 18in. long, 8in. to 12in. wide, peltate, hairy on under side; scape 1ft. to 2ft. high.fl.in cymose head, numerous, small, white or rose coloured. Winter. Mexico. A noble-foliaged plant. SYN.B. hernandiæfolia.B. nemophila.Synonymous withB. Cathcartii.B. nigro-venia(black-veined). Synonymous withB. glandulosa.B. nitida(shining).* S. Stem 4ft. to 5ft. high, erect, branched, woody when aged, smooth, shining.l.large, glossy, green on both sides, obliquely ovate, acute, crenated at margin.fl.in terminal and axillary panicles, numerous, large, deep rose, handsome. Capsule three-winged, one much larger than others. Jamaica, 1777. One of the best winter, and almost a perpetual, flowering species. SYNS.B. obliqua,B. pulchra,B. purpurea. (B. M. 4046.)B. obliqua(oblique). Synonymous withB. nitida.B. octopetala(eight-petaled).* T. Stemless.l.on long succulent downy petioles, 1½ft. or more in length, cordate, 6in. long, deeply lobed and serrated at the margin, bright green; scape as long as petioles, rounded, downy.fl.in corymbs, greenish-white, males with eight petals, females generally fewer. Capsule three-angled, two wings almost suppressed, the other 1in. long; apex blunt, toothed. Autumn. Peru, 1835. SYN.B. grandiflora. (B. M. 3559.)B. odorata(sweet-scented). Synonymous withB. suaveolens.B. opuliflora(Guelder-rose-flowered).* S. Stem 1ft. high, branching, smooth.l.ovate oblong-acuminate, toothed, smooth above, hairy below.fl.white, in compact umbels, on erect scapes. Spring. New Grenada, 1854.B. Ottoniana(Otton's). A hybrid fromB. conchæfoliaandB. coriacea. (R. G. 1859, p. 15.)B. papillosa(papillose). A variety ofB. incarnata.B. Pearcei(Pearce's).* T. Stem 1ft. high, succulent, branching.l.lance-shaped, cordate, pointed, toothed, glabrous above, tomentose beneath, and pale red.fl.in loose axillary panicles, large, bright yellow. Summer. Bolivia, 1865. Interesting because of its being one of the progenitors of the handsome race of garden tuberous Begonias.B. peltata(shield-like). Stem short, tomentose; leaves 6in. by 4in., peltate, ovate, densely pilose.fl.in branching cyme, small, white; peduncle 6in. to 9in., pilose. Brazil, 1815. Interesting because of its distinctly peltate foliage and silvery appearance of whole plant. SYNS.B. coriacea,B. Hasskarlii,B. hernandiæfolia,B. peltifolia.B. peltifolia(peltate-leaved). Synonymous withB. peltata.B. phyllomaniaca(proliferous-stemmed). S. Stem thick, fleshy, rather twisted, green, hairy, clothed, when old, with small viviparous buds bearing small leaves, by which means the plant may be multiplied.l.ovate, acuminate, cordate, sinuately lobed, ciliate, smooth above and below.fl.in axillary cymes, drooping, pale rose. Capsule with one large wing. Winter. Guatemala, 1861. (B. M. 5254.)B. picta(ornamented).* T. Stem generally smooth, succulent, 6in. to 12in. high.l.ovate acuminate, nearly equally cordate, serrated, hairy above and on the nerves below, sometimes variegated.fl.pale rose, large, handsome; peduncle hairy, erect, short, few-flowered. Autumn. Himalaya, 1870. (S. E. B. 101.)B. platanifolia(plane-leaved).* S. Stem 5ft. to 6ft. high, erect, robust, smooth, green; joints annulated.l.8in. to 10in. in diameter, reniform, lobed, hispid on both sides, dark green; lobes acute, toothed, ciliated.fl.in axillary, dichotomous cymes, large, white, tinted rose, handsome. Summer. Brazil, 1834. (B. M. 3591.)

B. Manni(Mann's). S. Stem succulent, 2ft. to 3ft. high, branched, green; branchlets, young parts, petioles, and leaf-nerves clothed with rusty, furfuraceous pubescence.l.petioled, 5in. long, 2in. wide, lanceolate, cordate, acuminate, toothed.fl.numerous, rose-red, in axillary cymes; peduncle 1in. long. Capsule linear, densely tomentose. Winter. Fernando Po, 1862. (B. M. 5434.)

B. marmorea(spotted). A variety ofB. xanthina.

B. Martiana(Martin's). A variety ofB. gracilis.

B. maxima(large).* Rhizome thick, hairy, creeping.l.large, oblique, orbicular-ovate, cordate, shortly acuminate; margins denticulate ciliate; petiole long, pilose.fl.in branching cymes; sepals orbicular, pilose on the outside, white. Summer. Mexico, 1853.

B. megaphylla(large-leaved).* Stem short, thick, fleshy.l.large, palmate, cordate; lobes numerous, pointed; margins hairy, under side slightly pilose; nerves with scaly hairs.fl.in diffuse cymes, small, white; peduncles pilose. Capsule wings wide. Winter. Mexico.

B. metallica(metallic). A variety ofB. incarnata.

B. Meyeri(Meyer's). S. Stem erect, stout, woody when mature.l.large, broadly and obliquely ovate, fleshy, pale green; margin sinuate, under side tinged with rose; both petiole and blade covered with short hairs.fl.on long axillary peduncles, in large paniculate heads, white. Capsule wings equal. Summer. Brazil, 1844. (B. M. 4100.)

B. microphylla(small-leaved). Synonymous withB. foliosa.

B. microptera(small-winged). Stem 1ft. high, terete, green, pubescent, as in the rest of the plant. Branches few.l.sub-distichous, 4in. to 6in. long, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, serrated, dark green; petiole short; stipules as long as petiole.fl.in terminal panicles, medium-sized, white, tinted rose. Capsule long, triangular, two angles wingless, the other with a narrow wing. Winter. Borneo, 1856. (B. M. 4974.)

B. miniata(vermilion). A variety ofB. fuchsioides.

B. monoptera(single-winged).* Stem erect, 1ft. to 2ft. high, rounded, swollen at the joints, dull red, papillose and downy. Radical leaves on long red stalks, large, reniform, truncate at the base; caulescent leaves smaller, on short petioles, angled,crenate, dark green above, red below, and minutely papillose.fl.on an elongated terminal raceme, white. Capsule three-angled, two wingless, the other with a long pointed wing. Summer. Brazil, 1826. A distinct and pretty species. (B. M. 3564.)

B. Moritziana(Moritz's). Synonymous withB. scandens.

B. natalensis(Natal).* T. Rootstock thick, fleshy. Stem 1½ft. high, succulent, thick at the base, articulate, branched, smooth.l.unequal, semicordate, acuminate, lobed, toothed, spotted with white.fl.on axillary cymose peduncles, pale rose.fr.three-winged, two large, one small. Winter. Natal, 1855. (B. M. 4841.)

B. nelumbiifolia(Nelumbium-leaved).* Rhizome thick, fleshy, creeping.l.on long hairy petioles; blade 12in. to 18in. long, 8in. to 12in. wide, peltate, hairy on under side; scape 1ft. to 2ft. high.fl.in cymose head, numerous, small, white or rose coloured. Winter. Mexico. A noble-foliaged plant. SYN.B. hernandiæfolia.

B. nemophila.Synonymous withB. Cathcartii.

B. nigro-venia(black-veined). Synonymous withB. glandulosa.

B. nitida(shining).* S. Stem 4ft. to 5ft. high, erect, branched, woody when aged, smooth, shining.l.large, glossy, green on both sides, obliquely ovate, acute, crenated at margin.fl.in terminal and axillary panicles, numerous, large, deep rose, handsome. Capsule three-winged, one much larger than others. Jamaica, 1777. One of the best winter, and almost a perpetual, flowering species. SYNS.B. obliqua,B. pulchra,B. purpurea. (B. M. 4046.)

B. obliqua(oblique). Synonymous withB. nitida.

B. octopetala(eight-petaled).* T. Stemless.l.on long succulent downy petioles, 1½ft. or more in length, cordate, 6in. long, deeply lobed and serrated at the margin, bright green; scape as long as petioles, rounded, downy.fl.in corymbs, greenish-white, males with eight petals, females generally fewer. Capsule three-angled, two wings almost suppressed, the other 1in. long; apex blunt, toothed. Autumn. Peru, 1835. SYN.B. grandiflora. (B. M. 3559.)

B. odorata(sweet-scented). Synonymous withB. suaveolens.

B. opuliflora(Guelder-rose-flowered).* S. Stem 1ft. high, branching, smooth.l.ovate oblong-acuminate, toothed, smooth above, hairy below.fl.white, in compact umbels, on erect scapes. Spring. New Grenada, 1854.

B. Ottoniana(Otton's). A hybrid fromB. conchæfoliaandB. coriacea. (R. G. 1859, p. 15.)

B. papillosa(papillose). A variety ofB. incarnata.

B. Pearcei(Pearce's).* T. Stem 1ft. high, succulent, branching.l.lance-shaped, cordate, pointed, toothed, glabrous above, tomentose beneath, and pale red.fl.in loose axillary panicles, large, bright yellow. Summer. Bolivia, 1865. Interesting because of its being one of the progenitors of the handsome race of garden tuberous Begonias.

B. peltata(shield-like). Stem short, tomentose; leaves 6in. by 4in., peltate, ovate, densely pilose.fl.in branching cyme, small, white; peduncle 6in. to 9in., pilose. Brazil, 1815. Interesting because of its distinctly peltate foliage and silvery appearance of whole plant. SYNS.B. coriacea,B. Hasskarlii,B. hernandiæfolia,B. peltifolia.

B. peltifolia(peltate-leaved). Synonymous withB. peltata.

B. phyllomaniaca(proliferous-stemmed). S. Stem thick, fleshy, rather twisted, green, hairy, clothed, when old, with small viviparous buds bearing small leaves, by which means the plant may be multiplied.l.ovate, acuminate, cordate, sinuately lobed, ciliate, smooth above and below.fl.in axillary cymes, drooping, pale rose. Capsule with one large wing. Winter. Guatemala, 1861. (B. M. 5254.)

B. picta(ornamented).* T. Stem generally smooth, succulent, 6in. to 12in. high.l.ovate acuminate, nearly equally cordate, serrated, hairy above and on the nerves below, sometimes variegated.fl.pale rose, large, handsome; peduncle hairy, erect, short, few-flowered. Autumn. Himalaya, 1870. (S. E. B. 101.)

B. platanifolia(plane-leaved).* S. Stem 5ft. to 6ft. high, erect, robust, smooth, green; joints annulated.l.8in. to 10in. in diameter, reniform, lobed, hispid on both sides, dark green; lobes acute, toothed, ciliated.fl.in axillary, dichotomous cymes, large, white, tinted rose, handsome. Summer. Brazil, 1834. (B. M. 3591.)

FIG. 232. BEGONIAPOLYPETALA.

B. polypetala(many-petaled). Stem about 1ft. high, covered with a soft whitish tomentum.l.ovate-acute, toothed, pubescent above, and densely tomentose below.fl., petals nine or ten, of a fine red colour, smooth, external ones ovate-oblong, pointed; internal ones somewhat shorter and narrower; sepals two, ovate-elliptic. Capsule tomentose, three-winged, with one wing larger, ascendent. Winter. Andes of Peru, 1878. See Fig. 232. (Garden, Dec. 14, 1878.)B. prestoniensis(Preston).* A garden hybrid betweenB. cinnabarinaandB. nitida.l.green, lobed, glabrous.fl.brilliant orange-red, in drooping axillary cymes, very fragrant. Autumn and winter. 1867. (G. M. B. 3, 149.)B. prismatocarpa(prism-fruited).* Stems small, creeping, hairy; branchlets ascending.l.long, petioled, also hairy, obliquely cordate, ovate, three to five-lobed; lobes pointed, serrated; peduncles axillary, longer than foliage, bearing a small umbel of two to four dipetalous orange and yellow flowers, one female in each umbel. Capsule four-angled, scarcely winged. Summer. Tropical West Africa, 1861. The smallest of cultivated Begonias, and especially interesting because of its four-angled fruit. It forms a pretty cushion of bright shining green foliage, thickly studded with its brightly coloured flowers. Requires a stove temperature and a stony soil. (B. M. 5307.)B. pruinata(frosted).* Stem short, thick, fleshy, smooth.l.large, peltate, ovate, angular-sinuate, minutely-toothed; surface smooth, glaucous; margins pilose, on stout, fleshy petioles.fl.in large dense dichotomous, or small cymes, white. Winter. Central America, 1870. (R. B. 247.)B. pulchra(fair). Synonymous withB. nitida.B. punctata(dotted). A variety ofB. heracleifolia.B. purpurea(purple). Synonymous withB. acutifolia.B. purpurea(purple). Synonymous withB. nitida.B. Putzeysiana(Putzeys'). S. Stem erect, branching, smooth.l.oblong-lanceolate, acute, toothed, glabrous, under side spotted with white.fl.in copious small corymbs, white and rose, small. Capsule small, with rather large obtuse wings. Winter. Venezuela, 1871.B. radiata(rayed). Synonymous withB. heracleifolia.B. ramentacea(scaly).* S. Stem erect, branching, brown, scaly, as also are the leafstalks and peduncles.l.ovate, reniform, oblique; margins slightly angulate, recurved, under side red, scaly; peduncles branching.fl.drooping, pink and white, pretty. Capsule, when ripe, a bright scarlet; wings large. Spring. Brazil, 1839. (P. M. B. 12-73).B. reniformis(kidney-formed). Synonymous withB. Dregei. (Gardens.)B. reniformis(kidney-formed). Synonymous withB. vitifolia. (Hook.)

B. prestoniensis(Preston).* A garden hybrid betweenB. cinnabarinaandB. nitida.l.green, lobed, glabrous.fl.brilliant orange-red, in drooping axillary cymes, very fragrant. Autumn and winter. 1867. (G. M. B. 3, 149.)

B. prismatocarpa(prism-fruited).* Stems small, creeping, hairy; branchlets ascending.l.long, petioled, also hairy, obliquely cordate, ovate, three to five-lobed; lobes pointed, serrated; peduncles axillary, longer than foliage, bearing a small umbel of two to four dipetalous orange and yellow flowers, one female in each umbel. Capsule four-angled, scarcely winged. Summer. Tropical West Africa, 1861. The smallest of cultivated Begonias, and especially interesting because of its four-angled fruit. It forms a pretty cushion of bright shining green foliage, thickly studded with its brightly coloured flowers. Requires a stove temperature and a stony soil. (B. M. 5307.)

B. pruinata(frosted).* Stem short, thick, fleshy, smooth.l.large, peltate, ovate, angular-sinuate, minutely-toothed; surface smooth, glaucous; margins pilose, on stout, fleshy petioles.fl.in large dense dichotomous, or small cymes, white. Winter. Central America, 1870. (R. B. 247.)

B. pulchra(fair). Synonymous withB. nitida.

B. punctata(dotted). A variety ofB. heracleifolia.

B. purpurea(purple). Synonymous withB. acutifolia.

B. purpurea(purple). Synonymous withB. nitida.

B. Putzeysiana(Putzeys'). S. Stem erect, branching, smooth.l.oblong-lanceolate, acute, toothed, glabrous, under side spotted with white.fl.in copious small corymbs, white and rose, small. Capsule small, with rather large obtuse wings. Winter. Venezuela, 1871.

B. radiata(rayed). Synonymous withB. heracleifolia.

B. ramentacea(scaly).* S. Stem erect, branching, brown, scaly, as also are the leafstalks and peduncles.l.ovate, reniform, oblique; margins slightly angulate, recurved, under side red, scaly; peduncles branching.fl.drooping, pink and white, pretty. Capsule, when ripe, a bright scarlet; wings large. Spring. Brazil, 1839. (P. M. B. 12-73).

B. reniformis(kidney-formed). Synonymous withB. Dregei. (Gardens.)

B. reniformis(kidney-formed). Synonymous withB. vitifolia. (Hook.)

FIG. 233. BEGONIAREX.

B. Rex(Royal).* Stemless; rhizome fleshy, creeping, subterraneous. Leafstalk round, red, setose.l.8in. to 12in. long, 6in. to 8in. broad, ovate, oblique, sides unequal, cordate, villose; margins toothed, surface bullate, dark olive-green, with a metallic lustre, a broad silvery zone running all round, about 1in. from the margin.fl.in erect branching cyme, large, pale rose. Capsule wings, two short, one long and rounded. Assam, 1858. See Fig. 233. (B. M. 5101.) This magnificent species is the principal progenitor of the numerous ornamental-foliaged Begonias, a selection of which are given below. Most of them are well worth growing, but those named have been selected from a large number: MADAMEWAGNER,*l.large, profound green, banded by a broad silvery zone, especially fine; MARSHALLI,l.very large, the margins and very centre dark green, while the greater portion of the surface is covered with a silvery-grey; REGINA,*l.rich olive-green, banded with a broad zone of bronze-red and silvery-grey, rendering it very attractive; ROILEOPOLD,*l.on long stout petioles, very large, deep bronze-red in the centre, with a broad border of a rather lighter shade, very effective; ROLLISONI,*l.large, on long stalks, rich velvety-green, banded with silvery-grey; SPLENDIDAARGENTEA,*l.large, of a greyish hue, veined with white, and tinged with bronze-red, very beautiful. The following varieties are also very good: ADRIENROBINE,* BERTHEPROUTIERE, CHARLESHOVEY, DISTINCTION,* JULIASEROT,* LOUISECHRETIEN,* MADAMEJ. MENOREAU,* NARGA,* NAVALA,* TALISMAN, W. E. GUMBLETON.B. Richardsiana(Richards').* T. Stem 1ft. high, erect, fleshy, with slender branches.l.palmately lobed, the lobes sinuate or toothed.fl.white, males bipetalous, females with five petals. Cymes axillary near ends of branches, few-flowered. Capsule three-winged, wings equal. Summer. Natal, 1871. (G. C., 1871, p. 1065.)B. R. diadema(of gardens).* This is referred to here because of its close resemblance to the above. It is most likely a hybrid betweenB. RichardsianaandB. dipetala.l.palmately lobed, rather large, spotted with white.fl.large, rose-coloured. Summer. 1881.B. ricinifolia(Ricinus-leaved).* A garden hybrid betweenB. heracleifoliaandB. peponifolia.l.large, bronzy green, in shape like those of the Castor-oil plant.fl.numerous, on an erect scape. Winter. 1847.B. Roezlii(Roezl's). Synonymous withB. Lynchiana.B. rosacea(rosy). Stem succulent, short.l.ovate obtuse, slightly pubescent, toothed; petioles long, pilose.fl.in few-flowered cymes, medium-sized, rose-coloured. New Grenada, 1860. (Garden, pl. 152.)B. rosæflora(rose-flowered).* T. Stemless. Petioles, scapes, bracts, and stipules bright red.l.green, 2in. to 4in. wide, on stout hairy petioles, 2in. to 6in. long, orbicular-reniform, concave; margins lobed, red, toothed. Scapes stout, villous, three-flowered.fl.2in. across, bright rose-red. Summer. Peru, 1867. One of the parents of the popular race of tuberous-rooted large-flowered Begonias. (B. M. 5680.)B. rubricaulis(red-stalked).* Stemless. Leafstalks, peduncles, pedicels, and ovaries, a deep red colour.l.obliquely ovate, 4in. to 6in. long, slightly hairy, bright green, wrinkled; margins toothed and ciliated. Scape 1ft. high, erect, stout, branching at the top, forming a head of about a dozen flowers, which are large, white inside, rose-tinted outside. Capsule with one large wing, the others almost suppressed. Summer. Peru, 1834. (B. M. 4131.)B. rubro-venia(red-veined).* Rootstock thick. Stems 12in. to 18in. high, red, pubescent.l.4in. to 6in. long, elliptic or lanceolate acuminate, entire or slightly angular, toothed, green spotted with white above, purplish-brown below. Scapes axillary, red.fl.in cymose head; outer segments white with rose-red veins, inner segments pure white. Summer. Sikkim, &c., 1853. (B. M. 4689.)B. sanguinea(blood-red). S. Stems woody when old, tall, stout, red, with scattered paler spots.l.4in. to 6in. long, unequally cordate, acuminate, thick and somewhat fleshy in texture, minutely crenate, green above, deep red below; peduncles axillary, long, erect, red.fl.in a branching cyme, rather small, white. Capsule wings sub-equal. Spring. Brazil, 1836. (B. M. 3520.)B. scabrida(rough). Stem stout, erect, somewhat succulent, covered with small tubercles.l.6in. long, oblique, ovate-acute, cordate, toothed, slightly hairy.fl.white, small; cyme many-flowered. Capsule wings equal, large. Venezuela, 1857.B. scandens(climbing).* Stem flexuose, fleshy, creeping or climbing, smooth.l.4in. long, ovate acuminate, sub-cordate; margins irregularly toothed, pale shining green.fl.in axillary branching cymes, white, small. South America, 1874. Useful either as a basket plant or for training against moist walls. SYNS.B. elliptica,B. lucida,B. Moritziana. (R. G. 758.)B. sceptrum(princely). S.l.obliquely ovate in outline, deeply lobed on one side; lobes oblong; obtuse, veins sunk, and the raised spaces between marked with large silvery blotches, and numerous smaller dots of silver grey. Brazil, 1883.B. Schmidtiana(Schmidt's).* Stems 1ft. high, branching, herbaceous.l.obliquely cordate, ovate-acute, small, dark metallic green above, tinged with red below.fl.in loose drooping axillary panicles, white, small, numerous. Winter. Brazil, 1879. (R. G. 990.)B. scutellata(salver-like). Synonymous withB. conchæfolia.

B. Richardsiana(Richards').* T. Stem 1ft. high, erect, fleshy, with slender branches.l.palmately lobed, the lobes sinuate or toothed.fl.white, males bipetalous, females with five petals. Cymes axillary near ends of branches, few-flowered. Capsule three-winged, wings equal. Summer. Natal, 1871. (G. C., 1871, p. 1065.)

B. R. diadema(of gardens).* This is referred to here because of its close resemblance to the above. It is most likely a hybrid betweenB. RichardsianaandB. dipetala.l.palmately lobed, rather large, spotted with white.fl.large, rose-coloured. Summer. 1881.

B. ricinifolia(Ricinus-leaved).* A garden hybrid betweenB. heracleifoliaandB. peponifolia.l.large, bronzy green, in shape like those of the Castor-oil plant.fl.numerous, on an erect scape. Winter. 1847.

B. Roezlii(Roezl's). Synonymous withB. Lynchiana.

B. rosacea(rosy). Stem succulent, short.l.ovate obtuse, slightly pubescent, toothed; petioles long, pilose.fl.in few-flowered cymes, medium-sized, rose-coloured. New Grenada, 1860. (Garden, pl. 152.)

B. rosæflora(rose-flowered).* T. Stemless. Petioles, scapes, bracts, and stipules bright red.l.green, 2in. to 4in. wide, on stout hairy petioles, 2in. to 6in. long, orbicular-reniform, concave; margins lobed, red, toothed. Scapes stout, villous, three-flowered.fl.2in. across, bright rose-red. Summer. Peru, 1867. One of the parents of the popular race of tuberous-rooted large-flowered Begonias. (B. M. 5680.)

B. rubricaulis(red-stalked).* Stemless. Leafstalks, peduncles, pedicels, and ovaries, a deep red colour.l.obliquely ovate, 4in. to 6in. long, slightly hairy, bright green, wrinkled; margins toothed and ciliated. Scape 1ft. high, erect, stout, branching at the top, forming a head of about a dozen flowers, which are large, white inside, rose-tinted outside. Capsule with one large wing, the others almost suppressed. Summer. Peru, 1834. (B. M. 4131.)

B. rubro-venia(red-veined).* Rootstock thick. Stems 12in. to 18in. high, red, pubescent.l.4in. to 6in. long, elliptic or lanceolate acuminate, entire or slightly angular, toothed, green spotted with white above, purplish-brown below. Scapes axillary, red.fl.in cymose head; outer segments white with rose-red veins, inner segments pure white. Summer. Sikkim, &c., 1853. (B. M. 4689.)

B. sanguinea(blood-red). S. Stems woody when old, tall, stout, red, with scattered paler spots.l.4in. to 6in. long, unequally cordate, acuminate, thick and somewhat fleshy in texture, minutely crenate, green above, deep red below; peduncles axillary, long, erect, red.fl.in a branching cyme, rather small, white. Capsule wings sub-equal. Spring. Brazil, 1836. (B. M. 3520.)

B. scabrida(rough). Stem stout, erect, somewhat succulent, covered with small tubercles.l.6in. long, oblique, ovate-acute, cordate, toothed, slightly hairy.fl.white, small; cyme many-flowered. Capsule wings equal, large. Venezuela, 1857.

B. scandens(climbing).* Stem flexuose, fleshy, creeping or climbing, smooth.l.4in. long, ovate acuminate, sub-cordate; margins irregularly toothed, pale shining green.fl.in axillary branching cymes, white, small. South America, 1874. Useful either as a basket plant or for training against moist walls. SYNS.B. elliptica,B. lucida,B. Moritziana. (R. G. 758.)

B. sceptrum(princely). S.l.obliquely ovate in outline, deeply lobed on one side; lobes oblong; obtuse, veins sunk, and the raised spaces between marked with large silvery blotches, and numerous smaller dots of silver grey. Brazil, 1883.

B. Schmidtiana(Schmidt's).* Stems 1ft. high, branching, herbaceous.l.obliquely cordate, ovate-acute, small, dark metallic green above, tinged with red below.fl.in loose drooping axillary panicles, white, small, numerous. Winter. Brazil, 1879. (R. G. 990.)

B. scutellata(salver-like). Synonymous withB. conchæfolia.

FIG. 234. BEGONIASEMPERFLORENSFRAUMARIABRANDT, showing Habit and Flower.

B. Sedeni(Seden's). T. A garden hybrid betweenB. boliviensisandB. Veitchii. Summer. 1869. A handsome plant, but much inferior to many of the more recent hybrids. (R. H. 1872, 90.)B. semperflorens(always-flowering).* Stem fleshy, erect, smooth, reddish-green.l.ovate-rotundate, hardly cordate;margins serrated, ciliated, surface smooth, shining green.fl.on axillary stalks, near apex of stems, white or rose, rather large. Capsule wings two short, one long, rounded. Autumn. Brazil, 1829. A useful summer and autumn flowering species, of which there are several named varieties more or less distinct from the type, either in colour or size of flowers, or in habit of plant. The varietiescarminea,gigantea, androseaare perhaps the best. SYN.B. spathulata. (B. M. 2920.)B. s. Frau Maria Brandt.A dwarf compact variety, with rose-tinted flowers. See Fig. 234.B. socotrana(Socotra).* Stem annual, stout and succulent, forming at base a cluster of bulbils, each of which produces a plant the following year; sparsely hairy.l.dark green, orbicular, peltate, 4in. to 7in. across, centre depressed; margin recurved, crenate.fl.in terminal, few-flowered cymes, 1½in. to 2in. wide, bright rose. Capsule three-angled, one-winged. Winter. Socotra, 1880. Should be rested through the summer, and started in heat in September. A distinct and beautiful species. (B. M. 6555.)B. spathulata(spathulate). Synonymous withB. semperflorens.B. stigmosa(branded).* Rhizome creeping, fleshy.l.6in. to 8in. long, oblique, cordate-acute, irregularly toothed, smooth above, hairy beneath, green, with brownish-purple blotches; stalks scaly, as inB. manicata.fl.in cymose panicles, white, medium-sized, numerous. Brazil, 1845.B. strigillosa(strigillose).* Rhizome short, fleshy, creeping,l.4in. to 6in. long, oblique, ovate-acute, cordate-toothed; margins ciliate, red; stalk and blade covered with fleshy scales; blade smooth, blotched with brown.fl.in branching cymes, dipetalous, small, rose-coloured. Summer. Central America, 1851.B. suaveolens(sweet-scented). S. Stem branching, 2ft. high, smooth.l.3in. to 4in. long, oblique-ovate, cordate-acute, crenulate, glabrous.fl.in axillary panicles, large, white. Winter. Central America, 1816. ResemblesB. nitida, but may be distinguished by its distinctly crenulate leaves and smaller flowers, which are white, and not pale rose, as inB. nitida. SYN.B. odorata. (L. B. C. 69.)B. Sutherlandi(Sutherland's).* T. Stems annual, 1ft. to 2ft. high, slender, graceful, red-purple.l.on slender red petioles, 2in. to 3in. long; blade 4in. to 6in. long, ovate-lanceolate, deeply lobed at base; margins serrate, bright green; nerves bright red.fl.in axillary and terminal cymes, numerous, orange-red, shaded with dark vinous-red. Capsule wings equal. Summer. Natal, 1867. (B. M. 5689.)B. Teuscheri(Teuscher's). S. A strong, erect-growing, large-leaved plant, from the Dutch Indies, not yet flowered.l.cordate-ovate, acute, olive-green above, with greyish blotches; under side rich claret-coloured. Hort. Linden. (I. II. 1879, 358.)B. Thwaitesii(Thwaites's).* Stemless.l.2in. to 4in. in diameter, obtuse or sub-acute, cordate at base, minutely toothed, slightly pubescent, very shaggy when young, rich coppery-green, red-purple and blotched with white; under side blood red.fl.in an umbel, medium-sized; scape short, white. Capsule shaped like a Beech nut; wings short. Ceylon, 1852. One of the most beautiful of coloured-leaved Begonias, requiring a close, moist atmosphere in a stove. (B. M. 4692.)B. ulmifolia(Elm-leaved). S. Stem 2ft. to 4ft. high, branching.l.3in. to 4in. long, ovate-oblong, unequal-sided, toothed, rugose, hairy.fl.on hairy peduncles, numerous, small, white. Capsule wings two small, one large, ovate. Winter. Venezuela, 1854. (L. C. 638.)B. undulata(wavy-leaved). S. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. high, erect, branching freely, turgid below, green, succulent until old.l.distichous, oblong-lanceolate, undulated, smooth, shining green.fl.in nodding axillary cymes, white, small. Winter. Brazil, 1826. (B. M. 2723.)B. urophylla(caudate-leaved). Stemless. Leafstalks terete, succulent, clothed with scattered bristly hairs.l.large, 12in. long, broad, cordate; margin irregularly cut, toothed; apex long-pointed, green, smooth above, hairy beneath; peduncle stout, paniculate.fl.crowded, large, dipetalous, white. Spring. Brazil. (B. M. 4855.)B. Veitchii(Veitch's).* T. Stem very short, thick, fleshy, green.l.orbiculate, cordate, lobed and incised; margins ciliated, green, principal nerves radiating from bright carmine spot near centre; under side pale green; petiole thick, terete, with a few hairs on the upper portion; scape 10in. to 12in. high, thick, terete, pilose, two-flowered.fl.2¼in. in diameter, cinnabar red. Capsule smooth, two short, one long wings. Summer. Peru, 1867. One of the species from which the popular garden tuberous-rooted Begonias have been obtained. (B. M. 5663.)B. Verschaffeltiana(Verschaffelt's).* A hybrid betweenB. carolinæfoliaandB. manicata, with large ovate acutely-lobed leaves and flowers in large cymes, rose-coloured and pendent. Winter. (R. G. 1855, p. 248.)B. vitifolia(Vine-leaved). S. Stem 3ft. to 4ft. high, thick, smooth, and fleshy.l.large as vine foliage, and similar in shape; peduncles axillary, erect, branching into a cymose head of small white flowers. Capsules three-angled, one-winged. Winter. Brazil, 1833. SYNS.B. grandis,B. reniformis. (B. M. 3225.)B. Wagneriana(Wagner's). S. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. high, erect, glabrous, green, succulent, branched.l.cordate-ovate, acuminate; margins obscurely lobed, slightly serrate, quite glabrous; peduncles axillary and terminal, cymose.fl.numerous, white. Capsules, which are ripened in abundance, three-angled, one wing long, two short. Winter. Venezuela, 1856. (B. M. 4988.)B. Warscewiczii(Warscewicz's). Synonymous withB. conchæfolia.B. Weltoniensis(Welton). A garden hybrid; one of the oldest of cultivated winter-flowering kinds, with light pink flowers, very free.B. xanthina(yellow-flowered).* Stem short, thick, fleshy, horizontal, along with petioles thickly-clothed with brown scaly hairs; petioles 6in. to 12in. long, stout, terete, fleshy, reddish-brown; blade 8in. to 12in. long, cordate-ovate, acuminate, sinuate-ciliated, dark green above, purplish beneath. Flower-stalks erect, 1ft. high, bearing a cymose head of large golden flowers. Capsule with one large wing. Summer. Boutan, 1850. (B. M. 4683.)B. x. Lazuli(Lapis-lazuli).* Foliage metallic purple, with a bluish tinge.B. x. pictifolia(ornamented-leaved).*l.with large silvery spots, and pale yellow flowers.

B. Sedeni(Seden's). T. A garden hybrid betweenB. boliviensisandB. Veitchii. Summer. 1869. A handsome plant, but much inferior to many of the more recent hybrids. (R. H. 1872, 90.)

B. semperflorens(always-flowering).* Stem fleshy, erect, smooth, reddish-green.l.ovate-rotundate, hardly cordate;margins serrated, ciliated, surface smooth, shining green.fl.on axillary stalks, near apex of stems, white or rose, rather large. Capsule wings two short, one long, rounded. Autumn. Brazil, 1829. A useful summer and autumn flowering species, of which there are several named varieties more or less distinct from the type, either in colour or size of flowers, or in habit of plant. The varietiescarminea,gigantea, androseaare perhaps the best. SYN.B. spathulata. (B. M. 2920.)

B. s. Frau Maria Brandt.A dwarf compact variety, with rose-tinted flowers. See Fig. 234.

B. socotrana(Socotra).* Stem annual, stout and succulent, forming at base a cluster of bulbils, each of which produces a plant the following year; sparsely hairy.l.dark green, orbicular, peltate, 4in. to 7in. across, centre depressed; margin recurved, crenate.fl.in terminal, few-flowered cymes, 1½in. to 2in. wide, bright rose. Capsule three-angled, one-winged. Winter. Socotra, 1880. Should be rested through the summer, and started in heat in September. A distinct and beautiful species. (B. M. 6555.)

B. spathulata(spathulate). Synonymous withB. semperflorens.

B. stigmosa(branded).* Rhizome creeping, fleshy.l.6in. to 8in. long, oblique, cordate-acute, irregularly toothed, smooth above, hairy beneath, green, with brownish-purple blotches; stalks scaly, as inB. manicata.fl.in cymose panicles, white, medium-sized, numerous. Brazil, 1845.

B. strigillosa(strigillose).* Rhizome short, fleshy, creeping,l.4in. to 6in. long, oblique, ovate-acute, cordate-toothed; margins ciliate, red; stalk and blade covered with fleshy scales; blade smooth, blotched with brown.fl.in branching cymes, dipetalous, small, rose-coloured. Summer. Central America, 1851.

B. suaveolens(sweet-scented). S. Stem branching, 2ft. high, smooth.l.3in. to 4in. long, oblique-ovate, cordate-acute, crenulate, glabrous.fl.in axillary panicles, large, white. Winter. Central America, 1816. ResemblesB. nitida, but may be distinguished by its distinctly crenulate leaves and smaller flowers, which are white, and not pale rose, as inB. nitida. SYN.B. odorata. (L. B. C. 69.)

B. Sutherlandi(Sutherland's).* T. Stems annual, 1ft. to 2ft. high, slender, graceful, red-purple.l.on slender red petioles, 2in. to 3in. long; blade 4in. to 6in. long, ovate-lanceolate, deeply lobed at base; margins serrate, bright green; nerves bright red.fl.in axillary and terminal cymes, numerous, orange-red, shaded with dark vinous-red. Capsule wings equal. Summer. Natal, 1867. (B. M. 5689.)

B. Teuscheri(Teuscher's). S. A strong, erect-growing, large-leaved plant, from the Dutch Indies, not yet flowered.l.cordate-ovate, acute, olive-green above, with greyish blotches; under side rich claret-coloured. Hort. Linden. (I. II. 1879, 358.)

B. Thwaitesii(Thwaites's).* Stemless.l.2in. to 4in. in diameter, obtuse or sub-acute, cordate at base, minutely toothed, slightly pubescent, very shaggy when young, rich coppery-green, red-purple and blotched with white; under side blood red.fl.in an umbel, medium-sized; scape short, white. Capsule shaped like a Beech nut; wings short. Ceylon, 1852. One of the most beautiful of coloured-leaved Begonias, requiring a close, moist atmosphere in a stove. (B. M. 4692.)

B. ulmifolia(Elm-leaved). S. Stem 2ft. to 4ft. high, branching.l.3in. to 4in. long, ovate-oblong, unequal-sided, toothed, rugose, hairy.fl.on hairy peduncles, numerous, small, white. Capsule wings two small, one large, ovate. Winter. Venezuela, 1854. (L. C. 638.)

B. undulata(wavy-leaved). S. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. high, erect, branching freely, turgid below, green, succulent until old.l.distichous, oblong-lanceolate, undulated, smooth, shining green.fl.in nodding axillary cymes, white, small. Winter. Brazil, 1826. (B. M. 2723.)

B. urophylla(caudate-leaved). Stemless. Leafstalks terete, succulent, clothed with scattered bristly hairs.l.large, 12in. long, broad, cordate; margin irregularly cut, toothed; apex long-pointed, green, smooth above, hairy beneath; peduncle stout, paniculate.fl.crowded, large, dipetalous, white. Spring. Brazil. (B. M. 4855.)

B. Veitchii(Veitch's).* T. Stem very short, thick, fleshy, green.l.orbiculate, cordate, lobed and incised; margins ciliated, green, principal nerves radiating from bright carmine spot near centre; under side pale green; petiole thick, terete, with a few hairs on the upper portion; scape 10in. to 12in. high, thick, terete, pilose, two-flowered.fl.2¼in. in diameter, cinnabar red. Capsule smooth, two short, one long wings. Summer. Peru, 1867. One of the species from which the popular garden tuberous-rooted Begonias have been obtained. (B. M. 5663.)

B. Verschaffeltiana(Verschaffelt's).* A hybrid betweenB. carolinæfoliaandB. manicata, with large ovate acutely-lobed leaves and flowers in large cymes, rose-coloured and pendent. Winter. (R. G. 1855, p. 248.)

B. vitifolia(Vine-leaved). S. Stem 3ft. to 4ft. high, thick, smooth, and fleshy.l.large as vine foliage, and similar in shape; peduncles axillary, erect, branching into a cymose head of small white flowers. Capsules three-angled, one-winged. Winter. Brazil, 1833. SYNS.B. grandis,B. reniformis. (B. M. 3225.)

B. Wagneriana(Wagner's). S. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. high, erect, glabrous, green, succulent, branched.l.cordate-ovate, acuminate; margins obscurely lobed, slightly serrate, quite glabrous; peduncles axillary and terminal, cymose.fl.numerous, white. Capsules, which are ripened in abundance, three-angled, one wing long, two short. Winter. Venezuela, 1856. (B. M. 4988.)

B. Warscewiczii(Warscewicz's). Synonymous withB. conchæfolia.

B. Weltoniensis(Welton). A garden hybrid; one of the oldest of cultivated winter-flowering kinds, with light pink flowers, very free.

B. xanthina(yellow-flowered).* Stem short, thick, fleshy, horizontal, along with petioles thickly-clothed with brown scaly hairs; petioles 6in. to 12in. long, stout, terete, fleshy, reddish-brown; blade 8in. to 12in. long, cordate-ovate, acuminate, sinuate-ciliated, dark green above, purplish beneath. Flower-stalks erect, 1ft. high, bearing a cymose head of large golden flowers. Capsule with one large wing. Summer. Boutan, 1850. (B. M. 4683.)

B. x. Lazuli(Lapis-lazuli).* Foliage metallic purple, with a bluish tinge.

B. x. pictifolia(ornamented-leaved).*l.with large silvery spots, and pale yellow flowers.

The following list comprises a selection of some of the best and most distinct of the innumerable varieties now existing in gardens, and which have been obtained by crossing and re-crossing the several tuberous-rooted species found in the temperate regions of South America.

FIG. 235. FLOWERINGBRANCHOFBEGONIAADMIRATION.

Single-Flowered Varieties.Crimson and Scarlet Shaded: ADMIRATION, flowers vivid orange-scarlet, of dwarf, compact habit, and free flowering (see Fig. 235); ARTHURG. SOAMES,* brilliant crimson scarlet, of excellent form, and very free; BALLOFFIRE,* glowing fiery-scarlet, flowers large and compact, very free; BLACKDOUGLAS,* dark carmine crimson, flowers large, of the finest form, one of the best; BRILLIANT, deep orange-scarlet, very free; CHARLESBALTET, rich velvety vermilion; COMMODOREFOOT,* brilliant velvety crimson, very free and showy; DAVISII, flowers small, dazzling scarlet, habit dwarf and free; DR. MASTERS,* flowers large, with immense spikes, deep red-crimson, very attractive; DR. SEWELL,* glowing crimson, grand form; EXONIENSIS, brilliant orange-scarlet, immense flowers; F. E. LAING, deep velvety crimson, full and free; HON.MRS.BRASSEY,* deep glowing crimson, very rich and floriferous; J. H. LAING,* brilliant scarlet, one of the freest; J. W. FERRAND,* rich vermilion, dwarf and free, one of the finest for bedding; LOTHAIR,* dark scarlet-carmine, crimson shaded, of grand form and size; MARQUISOFBUTE, brilliant carmine-crimson, of the finest form, and immense flowers; SCARLETGEM,* very dark scarlet, flowers medium-sized, dwarf and very floriferous; SEDENI, rich rosy-crimson, dwarf, a good bedder; VESUVIUS,* bright orange-scarlet, compact and free, one of the finest bedders.

FIG. 236. BEGONIAQUEENOFWHITES.

Rose-Coloured: ALBERTCROUSSé,* bright salmon-rose, very free; ANNIELAING,* large and free, rich pink; CAPT. THOMPSON, rich salmon-rose, very free and compact; DELICATUM, pale flesh-rose; EXQUISITE,* rich deep rose, very free and showy; J. AUBREYCLARK, flowers very large, rich, deep; JESSIE,* soft rosy-pink, with the tips of the petals shaded carmine, a very fine, perfect variety; LADYBROOKE,* dark rose, shaded magenta, very perfect in form, and large; LADYHUMECAMPBELL,* pale pink, of good form and size, an exquisite variety; MADAMESTELLA,* flowers perfect in form, large, bright rosy-pink, one of the best; MARCHIONESS OFBUTE, light rosy-pink, with an immense bloom and handsome foliage; PENELOPE,* rich salmon-rose, very free and good; PRINCESS OFWALES, very delicate pink, and free; ROSED'AMOUR, rich rose, delicately shaded.White-Flowered: ALBAFLORIBUNDA, flowers medium-sized, very free; MOONLIGHT, very free, with good flowers and handsome foliage; MRS. LAING,* flowers exquisite in form and shape, pure white, one of the best; NYMPH,* large and round, white, tinted with rose at the base; PRINCESSBEATRICE,* flowers large, of excellent form, and pure in colour; PURITY, flowers round, good size and colour; QUEENOFWHITES,* flowers pure white, large, most freely produced (see Fig. 236, for which we are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons); REINEBLANCHE,* one of the best, very pure; SNOWFLAKE,* flowers large, in full spikes, pure white, habit compact, and very free.Yellow and Orange-Flowered: CHROMATELLA,* habit dwarf and compact, pure yellow; EMPRESSOFINDIA, deep yellow, very showy; GEMOFYELLOWS,* rich deep yellow, of grand form and size, one of the best; GOLDENGEM,* rich golden yellow, of excellent form and size, habit free, with prettily mottled foliage; J. L. MACFARLANE, rich orange, freest form, and large; LADYTREVORLAWRENCE,* orange-yellow, of good form, with handsome foliage; MAUDECHURCHILL,* pale yellow, deeper shaded, with elegant foliage; MRS. PONTIFEX,* rich orange yellow, very large flowers, copiously produced; POLLIE, pale yellow, fine round flower; SULPHURQUEEN,* pale sulphur-yellow, of good form and size.Double-Flowered Varieties.Crimson and Scarlet Shaded: ACHILLES, rich dark crimson, very large and free; DAVISIIHYBRIDA FL.-PL.,* rich coral-red, very full and free; DAVISII FL.-PL.SUPERBA,* brilliant crimson-scarlet, of good size, and extremely free; DR. DUKE,* brilliant scarlet, very large and double, one of the best; FRANCISBUCHNER,* rich cerise-red, very double, perfect in form, and very large; FULGURANT, rich crimson, full, with dark foliage; GLOIREDENANCY,* rich vermilion, very free; HERCULES,* bright orange-scarlet, very large and extremely free, habit compact and vigorous; LEMOINEI, deep orange-vermilion, very floriferous; MONSIEURBAUER, deep red, tinged with violet;NIMROD,* rich red-scarlet, very large and full, with a free and very vigorous habit; PRESIDENTBURELLE,* glowing red, tinted with scarlet, very free; QUEENOFDOUBLES,* rich rosy-crimson, very double and floriferous, one of the best varieties; ROBERTBURNS,* brilliant orange-scarlet, tinted vermilion, very double and free; SIRGARNET, deep orange-scarlet, very vigorous; WM.BEALBY,* deep velvety scarlet, immense size and perfect form, very free.Rose-Coloured: ADA,* bright rosy-salmon, fringed at the edge, very full and free; COMTESSEH.DECHOISEUL, pale rose, at first nearly white, very handsome; ESTHER,* rich rosy pink, with a distinct crimson margin; FORMOSA,* rich rosy carmine, with a white centre and crimson margin, very distinct and showy; GLORYOFSTANSTEAD,* deep rose, with a well-defined white centre, very distinct and handsome; JOHNT. POE,* bright rose, tinted with cerise, of excellent form and vigorous habit; MADAMECOMESSE,* rich satiny salmon-rose, immense, and most profuse; MADAMELEONSIMON, soft pale rose, very full and free; MARIELEMOINE, light salmon with a rose centre; MRS. BRISSENDEN,* salmon-rose, with a cream-white centre, of excellent form and very free; PæONIFLORA, flowers enormous, rich salmon-rose, very full; QUEENOFSCOTS,* satiny-pink, salmon-shaded, of a perfect form and very large, habit compact and very free; ROSINA,* deep rose, violet shaded, of exquisite form, very vigorous and free.White-Flowered: ANTOINETTEQUERIN,* pure white, cream, shaded centre, very large and full, a magnificent variety; BLANCHEJEANPIERRE, pure white, cream tinted, of excellent form and very free; LITTLEGEM,* pure white, of the best form and good size, habit dwarf and extremely floriferous; MRS.LUDLAM,* white, tinted with pink, a very handsome variety; PRINCESSOFWALES,* flowers very full and profuse, almost pure in colour, and immense.Yellow-flowered: CANARYBIRD,* flowers large, of the finest form, deep yellow, habit dwarf and very free; GABRIELLEGROS,* pale sulphur, changing to yellow, very full and imbricated, extremely showy.

White-Flowered: ALBAFLORIBUNDA, flowers medium-sized, very free; MOONLIGHT, very free, with good flowers and handsome foliage; MRS. LAING,* flowers exquisite in form and shape, pure white, one of the best; NYMPH,* large and round, white, tinted with rose at the base; PRINCESSBEATRICE,* flowers large, of excellent form, and pure in colour; PURITY, flowers round, good size and colour; QUEENOFWHITES,* flowers pure white, large, most freely produced (see Fig. 236, for which we are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons); REINEBLANCHE,* one of the best, very pure; SNOWFLAKE,* flowers large, in full spikes, pure white, habit compact, and very free.

Yellow and Orange-Flowered: CHROMATELLA,* habit dwarf and compact, pure yellow; EMPRESSOFINDIA, deep yellow, very showy; GEMOFYELLOWS,* rich deep yellow, of grand form and size, one of the best; GOLDENGEM,* rich golden yellow, of excellent form and size, habit free, with prettily mottled foliage; J. L. MACFARLANE, rich orange, freest form, and large; LADYTREVORLAWRENCE,* orange-yellow, of good form, with handsome foliage; MAUDECHURCHILL,* pale yellow, deeper shaded, with elegant foliage; MRS. PONTIFEX,* rich orange yellow, very large flowers, copiously produced; POLLIE, pale yellow, fine round flower; SULPHURQUEEN,* pale sulphur-yellow, of good form and size.

Double-Flowered Varieties.Crimson and Scarlet Shaded: ACHILLES, rich dark crimson, very large and free; DAVISIIHYBRIDA FL.-PL.,* rich coral-red, very full and free; DAVISII FL.-PL.SUPERBA,* brilliant crimson-scarlet, of good size, and extremely free; DR. DUKE,* brilliant scarlet, very large and double, one of the best; FRANCISBUCHNER,* rich cerise-red, very double, perfect in form, and very large; FULGURANT, rich crimson, full, with dark foliage; GLOIREDENANCY,* rich vermilion, very free; HERCULES,* bright orange-scarlet, very large and extremely free, habit compact and vigorous; LEMOINEI, deep orange-vermilion, very floriferous; MONSIEURBAUER, deep red, tinged with violet;NIMROD,* rich red-scarlet, very large and full, with a free and very vigorous habit; PRESIDENTBURELLE,* glowing red, tinted with scarlet, very free; QUEENOFDOUBLES,* rich rosy-crimson, very double and floriferous, one of the best varieties; ROBERTBURNS,* brilliant orange-scarlet, tinted vermilion, very double and free; SIRGARNET, deep orange-scarlet, very vigorous; WM.BEALBY,* deep velvety scarlet, immense size and perfect form, very free.

Rose-Coloured: ADA,* bright rosy-salmon, fringed at the edge, very full and free; COMTESSEH.DECHOISEUL, pale rose, at first nearly white, very handsome; ESTHER,* rich rosy pink, with a distinct crimson margin; FORMOSA,* rich rosy carmine, with a white centre and crimson margin, very distinct and showy; GLORYOFSTANSTEAD,* deep rose, with a well-defined white centre, very distinct and handsome; JOHNT. POE,* bright rose, tinted with cerise, of excellent form and vigorous habit; MADAMECOMESSE,* rich satiny salmon-rose, immense, and most profuse; MADAMELEONSIMON, soft pale rose, very full and free; MARIELEMOINE, light salmon with a rose centre; MRS. BRISSENDEN,* salmon-rose, with a cream-white centre, of excellent form and very free; PæONIFLORA, flowers enormous, rich salmon-rose, very full; QUEENOFSCOTS,* satiny-pink, salmon-shaded, of a perfect form and very large, habit compact and very free; ROSINA,* deep rose, violet shaded, of exquisite form, very vigorous and free.

White-Flowered: ANTOINETTEQUERIN,* pure white, cream, shaded centre, very large and full, a magnificent variety; BLANCHEJEANPIERRE, pure white, cream tinted, of excellent form and very free; LITTLEGEM,* pure white, of the best form and good size, habit dwarf and extremely floriferous; MRS.LUDLAM,* white, tinted with pink, a very handsome variety; PRINCESSOFWALES,* flowers very full and profuse, almost pure in colour, and immense.

Yellow-flowered: CANARYBIRD,* flowers large, of the finest form, deep yellow, habit dwarf and very free; GABRIELLEGROS,* pale sulphur, changing to yellow, very full and imbricated, extremely showy.

BEGONIACEÆ.An order comprising a large number of useful garden plants. The only genera areBegoniaandBegoniella(which is not yet in cultivation). Flowers apetalous; perianth single; pistillate flowers having the perianth two to eight-cleft, staminate ones two to four-cleft; stamens numerous, collected into a head. Leaves alternate, stipulate.SeeBegonia.

BEJARIA.SeeBefaria.

BELLADONNA.SeeAtropa.

BELLADONNA LILY.SeeAmaryllis Belladonna.

BELLEVALIA(named in honour of P. R. Belleval, a French botanist). ORD.Liliaceæ. This genus is now usually placed underHyacinthus. Hardy, bulbous-rooted plants, admirably adapted for spring bedding or forcing, and invaluable as cut flowers. Flowers small, whitish, or violet, tinged with green. Leaves few, radical, broadly linear. They are of extremely easy culture in ordinary garden soil. Propagated by offsets; also by seeds, which should be sown as soon as ripe.

B. operculata(lid-covered). Synonymous withB. romana.B. romana(Roman).* Roman Hyacinth.fl.white, racemose; perianth campanulate; pedicels longer than the flowers. April.l.from 4in. to 5in. long.h.6in. Italy, 1596. A most desirable plant, and the best of the genus for forcing purposes. SYNS.B. operculataandHyacinthus romanus. (B. M. 939, under the name ofScilla romana.)SeeHyacinthus.B. syriaca(Syrian).*fl.white; peduncles spreading, racemose. May.l.glaucous, 1ft. long, channelled, rather scarious on the margins.h.1ft. Syria, 1840.

B. operculata(lid-covered). Synonymous withB. romana.

B. romana(Roman).* Roman Hyacinth.fl.white, racemose; perianth campanulate; pedicels longer than the flowers. April.l.from 4in. to 5in. long.h.6in. Italy, 1596. A most desirable plant, and the best of the genus for forcing purposes. SYNS.B. operculataandHyacinthus romanus. (B. M. 939, under the name ofScilla romana.)SeeHyacinthus.

B. syriaca(Syrian).*fl.white; peduncles spreading, racemose. May.l.glaucous, 1ft. long, channelled, rather scarious on the margins.h.1ft. Syria, 1840.

BELL-FLOWER.SeeCampanula.

FIG.237. FRENCHBELLGLASS, ORCLOCHE.FIg. 238. ENGLISHBELLGLASS.

BELL GLASSES, orCLOCHES. These are used for the purpose of protecting or accelerating the growth of a plant or plants. The French Cloche (see Fig. 237) is largely employed for this purpose. Ordinary Bell Glasses (see Fig. 238) are exceedingly useful for propagating purposes, especially for hard-wooded plants; or for placing over subjects which require a very moist atmosphere, such as Filmy ferns, Cephalotus, &c.; or for covering half-hardy plants or rare alpines, and thus protecting them from excessive moisture. Large Bell Glasses, inverted, serve as miniature aquaria, and many small aquatics are easily grown in them.

BELLIDIASTRUM(frombellis, a daisy, andastrum, a star; flower-heads being star-like). ORD.Compositæ. A pretty dwarf, hardy, herbaceous perennial, allied toAster. It thrives in a compost of loam, leaf soil, and peat. Increased by divisions in early spring, or directly after blooming.

B. Michelii(Michel's).*fl.-headswhite; scape one-headed, naked; involucre with equal leaves; pappus simple. June.l.in a rosette, shortly stalked, obovate, repand.h.1ft. Austria, 1570.

BELLIS(frombellus, pretty, in reference to the flowers). Daisy. ORD.Compositæ. A genus of hardy herbaceous perennials, distinguished from allied genera in having conical receptacles and an absence of pappus. They grow well in all loamy soils. The garden varieties are increased by division after flowering, each crown making a separate plant. The soil must be pressed about them moderately firm. Seeds may also be sown in March, but the plants thus obtained are seldom of sufficient floricultural merit to perpetuate.

FIG. 239. BELLISPERENNISFLORE-PLENO.

FIG. 240. HENANDCHICKENSDAISY(BELLISPERENNISPROLIFERA).

B. perennis(perennial).* Common Daisy.fl.-headswhite. June.l.numerous, lying flat on the ground, obovate, crenate, slightly hairy, tapering at the base.h.3in. England. The varieties are very numerous, the double ones being particularly fine. See Fig. 239. The handsome variegated form,aucubæfolia, has its leaves richly stained and veined with yellow. There are both red and white-flowered forms of this variety. The Hen and Chickens Daisy is a proliferous form, rather more quaint thanpretty. See Fig. 240. Good garden kinds areB. p. conspicua, red; CROWN, pink; ELIZA, purple; RUBENS, red; SNOWFLAKE, white.

FIG. 241. BELLISROTUNDIFOLIACŒRULESCENS.

B. rotundifolia cœrulescens(round-leaved, bluish).*fl.-headsfrom ¾in. to 1¼in. in diameter, resembling those of the common Daisy, but with fewer, often broader, ray-flowers, which vary from white to pale blue.l.more or less hairy, with slender stalks, 1in. to 3in. long; blade ovate or sub-cordate, sinuate toothed, three-nerved. Morocco, 1872. A very beautiful perennial, requiring the shelter of a cold frame during severe winters. See Fig. 241. (B. M. 6015.)

BELLIUM(frombellis, a Daisy; the flowers resembling those of that plant). ORD.Compositæ. A genus of pretty little, free-flowering plants, differing from the common Daisy only in having a pappus of six to eight broad scales, torn at the apex, alternating with a like number of long scabrous bristles. They thrive best in a mixture of sandy loam and peat. Propagation is readily effected by means of seeds or divisions; the latter should be made in spring.

FIG. 242. BELLIUMBELLIDIOIDES.

B. bellidioides(Daisy-like).*fl.-headswhite, solitary. June to September.l.spathulate, radical. Stolons creeping.h.4in. Italy, 1796. Annual. See Fig. 242.B. crassifolium(thick-leaved).fl.-headswhitish-yellow; scapes much exceeding the leaves, downy. June.l.sub-radical, thick, obovate, entire, attenuate at base, rather downy. Stems many, ascending.h.6in. Sardinia, 1831. Hardy perennial. (S. B. F. G. 2, 278.)B. minutum(very small).*fl.-headswhite and yellow, ½in. across, on slender stalks, longer than the foliage. June to September.l.narrow spathulate, attenuated at the base, slightly hairy.h.3in. Levant, 1772. A rare little species, requiring a warm, well-drained position on the rockery.

B. bellidioides(Daisy-like).*fl.-headswhite, solitary. June to September.l.spathulate, radical. Stolons creeping.h.4in. Italy, 1796. Annual. See Fig. 242.

B. crassifolium(thick-leaved).fl.-headswhitish-yellow; scapes much exceeding the leaves, downy. June.l.sub-radical, thick, obovate, entire, attenuate at base, rather downy. Stems many, ascending.h.6in. Sardinia, 1831. Hardy perennial. (S. B. F. G. 2, 278.)

B. minutum(very small).*fl.-headswhite and yellow, ½in. across, on slender stalks, longer than the foliage. June to September.l.narrow spathulate, attenuated at the base, slightly hairy.h.3in. Levant, 1772. A rare little species, requiring a warm, well-drained position on the rockery.

BELLOWS.These were formerly employed for fumigating, but are now entirely superseded by the ordinary fumigators. The Sulphur Bellows is a very useful instrument for the uniform distribution of flowers of sulphur on vines and other subjects infested with mildew. In form it is very like those in common domestic use, but has a rose of small holes at the end of its nozzle, through which the sulphur is ejected.

BELL-PEPPER.SeeCapsicum grossum.

BELOPERONE(frombelos, an arrow, andperonne, a band; in reference to the arrow-shaped connectivum). SYN.Dianthera. ORD.Acanthaceæ. Very pretty stove evergreen shrubs, allied toJusticia. Flowers blue or purple, borne in secund, axillary, or terminal spikes, frequently subtended with coloured bracts; corolla gaping, the upper lip concave, the lower trifid. They are easily cultivated in a compost of loam, leaf soil, peat, and sand. Propagated by young cuttings, taken in spring. Beloperones may also be treated likeJusticias(whichsee), and will succeed admirably. There are a large number of species, but few of which have been introduced.

B. oblongata(oblong).fl.rosy-purple; spikes axillary; anthers calcarate at base; bracts bracteolate. Summer.l.oblong-lanceolate, opposite.h.3ft. Brazil, 1832. (B. H. 9, 9.)B. violacea(violet-coloured).*fl.violet.l.lanceolate, acuminate, entire.h.3ft. New Grenada, 1859. (B. M. 5244.)

B. oblongata(oblong).fl.rosy-purple; spikes axillary; anthers calcarate at base; bracts bracteolate. Summer.l.oblong-lanceolate, opposite.h.3ft. Brazil, 1832. (B. H. 9, 9.)

B. violacea(violet-coloured).*fl.violet.l.lanceolate, acuminate, entire.h.3ft. New Grenada, 1859. (B. M. 5244.)

BENDING-DOWNthe branches of fruit trees, by means of weights or string attached to pegs driven into the ground, is sometimes resorted to for the purpose of acquiring a particular shape, or fruitfulness; but authorities differ as to the usefulness of the plan for the latter purpose. Young trees that are inclined to grow strong in the middle may be more evenly balanced by adopting the plan of Bending the strong branches, and so diverting the sap to the weaker ones.

BENGAL QUINCE.SeeÆgle Marmelos.

BENJAMIN-TREE.SeeFicus Benjamina.

BENT GRASS.SeeAgrostis.

BENTHAMIA(in honour of George Bentham, a distinguished English botanist). ORD.Cornaceæ. Hardy evergreen shrubs or low trees, now referred to the genusCornus. The first-named species is rather tender in the neighbourhood of London, and can only be grown successfully against a wall, for which purpose it is very suitable. In Cornwall and other mild places, it attains a height of 20ft. in the open. Loudon thinks it might be rendered hardier by grafting it onCornus sanguinea. Flowers disposed in heads, each head attended by an involucre, which consists of four petal-like parts, and resembles a corolla; calyx with a minute four-toothed limb; petals four, fleshy, wedge-shaped; stamens four; style one. Leaves opposite, exstipulate, sub-evergreen, entire. Fruit constituted of many pomes grown together. They thrive in rather moist, loamy soil, in a sheltered spot. Propagated by seeds, sown when ripe, in a cool-house; or by layering, in autumn.

B. fragifera(Strawberry-flowered).*fl.large, white, sessile, densely aggregate, forming a round head. June to October.fr.large, about the size of that of the common Arbutus, reddish.l.lanceolate, acuminated at both ends, on short petioles, rather rough, with small, adpressed down. Branches spreading, smooth.h.10ft. to 15ft. Nepaul, 1825. (G. C. xiv., 728.)B. japonica(Japanese).fl.yellowish-red. Spring.h.8ft. Japan, 1847. (S. Z. F. J. 16.)

B. japonica(Japanese).fl.yellowish-red. Spring.h.8ft. Japan, 1847. (S. Z. F. J. 16.)

BERARDIA(named after M. Berard, a Professor of Chemistry at Montpelier). ORD.Compositæ. A genus containing a single species, confined to the high mountains of Western Europe. It makes a pretty rock plant, and grows best in thoroughly well-drained spots amongst rockydébris. Propagated by seeds, sown in spring.

B. subacaulis(almost stemless).fl.-headswhitish, solitary, very large.l.rounded oval, nearly heart-shaped at base, cottony.h.3in. or 4in. (A. F. P. 3, 38.)

BERBERIDACEÆ.An order of shrubs or herbaceous perennials. Flowers terminal or axillary, usually racemose; sepals three, four, or six in a double row; petals as many or double in number; stamens four to eight, opposite the petals. Fruit, a berry or capsule. Leaves alternate, compound. The order contributes a great number of handsome plants to our gardens. Well-known genera areBerberis,Epimedium, andNandina.

BERBERIDOPSIS(fromBerberis, the Barberry, andopsis, like; resembling the Barberry). ORD.Berberidaceæ. A handsome evergreen shrub, with climbing habit. Sepals and petals nine to fifteen; outer small, spreading; intermediate orbicular, concave; inner obovate-cuneate, erect, inserted upon the fleshy torus. Stamens eight to nine, free. With a slight winter protection, or planted at the foot of a south wall, it will prove quite hardy, being of easy culture in ordinary garden soil. It is an excellent plant for the cool greenhouse. Increased by seeds, which should be sown in spring; by layering, in autumn; or by young cuttings, in spring.

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