Lomàtias, about six species; flowers are white or straw colour, and similar to Grevíllea, but the foliage more handsome.
Lophospérmum scándens. This is a magnificent new climbing soft wooded shrub, with purple, campanulate flowers, which are produced from the axils on the young wood; they bloom from May to September; leaves large, cordate, and tomentose; grows rapidly, and flowers abundantly.
Lachnæas, about five species, remarkable for their downy heads of white flowers; leaves small, ovate, lanceolate. L. glaùca, L. conglomeràta, and L. eriocéphala, are the best species. The pots must be well drained, and in summer the plants protected from the sun.
Leonòtis, Lion's-ear, four species. They have very fine scarlet tubular flowers, orifice-toothed. They come out in large whorls, and look elegant; but neither plant nor foliage has an agreeable appearance. They are of the easiest culture. L. intermédia, and L. Leonùrus, are the best flowering species.
Leucospérmums, about eighteen species, of Proteacious plants, chiefly low growing, and are mostly downy or hairy; flowers yellow, in terminale heads. L. formósum, L. grandiflòrum, L. tomentósum, and L. candicans, rose-scented. These are fine species. For treatment, see Pròteas.
Lipàrias, about five species, much esteemed for their beauty of foliage; leaves ovate, lanceolate, downy or woolly; flowers yellow, leguminose, and capitate. L. sphærica, L. tomentósa, L. villósa, and L. serícea, are the finest. L. vistìta and L. villósa are the same, although put in many catalogues as different species. None of them ought to be much watered over the foliage, as it adheres to the down, and causes the young shoots to damp off. Drain the pots well, and keep the plants in an airy situation.
Lysinèmas, four species, closely allied to Epácris. In every respect treatment the same. L. pentapítalum, L. conspicum, and L. ròseum, are the best; the flowers of the two former are white. L. silaifòlia has leaves bipinnatifid and smooth, segments wedge-shaped and cut. L. dentàta and L. ilicifòlia are the finest; the pots should be drained.
Lonícera japónica. There is a plant in our collections known by that name, which is now Nintooa longiflàra; flowers of a straw colour, but come out white. It has been known to withstand the winter, but does not flower, and is frequently killed entirely.
Lychnis coroàta, is an esteemed Chinese plant; flowers-in abundance, pentapetalous, large, and a little indented at the edges; colour a red-like orange; flowers terminale and axillary. The roots must be divided every spring, or they will dwindle away to nothing. Perhaps a good method of treatment would be to divide the roots, and plant them in the garden; they would flower well, and could be lifted in the fall, and put under protection. We have no doubt that it may become acclimated. If not done so, plant them in four inch pots, and repot them into those of six inch in May. Do not expose them while in flower to the mid-day sun, for it will deteriorate the fine colour.
Leptospérmums, about thirty species, all pretty New Holland evergreen dwarf shrubs, with small white flowers. L. baccàtum, L. péndulum, L. juníperinum, L. ovátum, L. stellàtum, L. grandiflórum, and L. scopàrium, are the best of the species. The latter was used as tea by Capt. Cook's ship's crew. It is an agreeable bitter, with a pleasant flavour, when fresh. When young plants are growing, they ought to be frequently topped to make them bushy, and kept in an airy situation, or they will be drawn and unsightly. They are of very easy culture.