Laúrus. This genus, though of no beauty in flower, is generally admired in collections for its fine evergreen foliage, and aromatic or spicy flavour, and several trees are important in medicine. The most esteemed are given to a genus named Cinnamòmum, as has been observed in the Green-house, (see March.) L. Chloróxylon is the Cogwood of Jamaica. L. Pérsea is now Pérsea gratíssima, Alligator-pear, a fruit about the size of a large pear, and greatly esteemed in the West Indies. The plant is generally known in our collections. C. vérum is the true Cinnamon of commerce.
The part taken is the inside of the bark when the tree is from five to eighteen years old. The leaves are three-nerved, ovate, oblong; nerves vanishing towards the point, bright green above, pale beneath, with whitish veins. This plant ought to be kept in the warmest part of the Hot-house. C. cássia, is frequently given under the former name, but when compared may be easily detected by the leaves being more lanceolate, and a little pubescent. They both make handsome plants, but require great heat. Drain the pots well of the delicate sorts.
Magnífera, Mango tree. There are two species. M. índica is in our collections, and bears a fruit which is so highly esteemed in the East Indies, as to be considered preferable to any other except very fine pine apples. The leaves are lanceolate, and from six to eight inches long, and two or more broad. The flowers are produced in loose bunches at the end of the branches, but of no beauty, and have to be artificially impregnated, or it will scarcely produce fruit. The shell is kidney-shaped, and of a leathery, crustaceous substance. They contain one seed, and in their indigenous state are more juicy than an apple. Drain the pots well, as the roots are apt to get sodden from moisture. The other species goes under the name of oppositifòlia, but we question if it is not only a variety, for it has every character of the one just described.
Melàstoma, was once an extensive genus, on which the natural order Melastomaceæ is founded; but is now much divided into other genera contained in the natural tribe Micomeæ. There are about thirteen species remaining in the genus. They now display great unity of character, and many of them may be considered very ornamental. The finest are M. malabáthrica, rose-coloured; M. sanguínea, lilac; M. decémfida, purple; M. pulverulénta, red; and M. áspera, rose. There is a plant in several of our collections known as M. purpùrea and M. tetragòna, which is Ossæa purpuráscens; leaves ovate, lanceolate, accuminate, five-nerved, pilose; the footstalk and nerves underside of the leaf covered with brown hairs; stem four-sided; flowers purple. All the species are easy of culture. M. nepalénsis is a Green-house plant.
Malpíghia, (Barbadoes-cherry,) about eighteen species, all beautiful evergreen trees or shrubs. They are easily distinguished by having bristles on the under side of the leaves. These bristles are fixed by the centre, so that either end of it will sting. We are not aware of any other plant being defended in the manner. M. ùrens has oblong ovate leaves with decumbent stiff bristles; flowers pink. M. aquifòlia has lanceolate, stiff, spiny leaves, and we think the most beautiful foliage of the genus. M. fucàta has elliptical shining leaves, with lilac flowers. M. glábra, leaves ovate, entire, smooth; flowers purple. They all have five rounded clawed petals. The last species is cultivated in the West Indies for its fruit. The pots must be well drained.
Márica, a genus of Hot-house plants, closely allied to Iris, between which there is no distinction in the leaves. The flowers of M. cærùlea are beautifully spotted with light and dark blue, the scape many flowered. M. Sabìni has flowers similar, but not so dark in colour. M. Northiàna has splendid white and brown spotted flowers, spathe two flowered. These plants when growing require a liberal supply of water, and to be greatly encouraged by frequent potting to flower well.
Mùsa (Plantain-tree), contains eight species, and is greatly esteemed in the East and West Indies for the luscious sweet flavour of its fruit, which can be converted into every delicacy in the domestic cookery of the country. M. paradisìæa is the true plantain tree, has a soft herbaceous stalk, 15 or 20 feet high, with leaves from 5 to 7 feet long, and about 2 feet wide. M. sapiéntum is the true Banana-tree; habit and character same as the former, except it has a spotted stem, and the male flowers are deciduous. The pulp of the fruit is softer, and the taste more luscious. M. rosàcea, M. coccínea, and M. chinènsis, are most esteemed in artificial cultivation for their flowers, and being smaller in growth. They all require a very liberal supply of water when growing. They do best to be planted in the soil, where there can be a small corner of the Hot-house set apart for the purpose. They will be ornamental, but if kept in pots they will never attain any degree of perfection.
Nepénthes (Pitcher plant). There are two species of this plant. N. distillatòria is an esteemed and valuable plant in European collections. The leaves are lanceolate and sessile; from their extremity there is a spiral, attached to which are lublar inflated appendages that are generally filled with water, which appears to be confined within them by a lid, with which the appendages are surmounted; hence the name of pitcher plant. We have never observed these lids close again when once open. Writers have called it a herbaceous plant, but it is properly a shrub, never dying to the ground, having a continuation of extension. The pot in which it grows should be covered with moss, and the roots liberally supplied with water every day. It delights to be in a marshy state. The flowers are small and in long spikes.
Pancràtium is a genus of Hot-house bulbs, and now only contains five species. They are all free-flowering. Several of them are handsome and fragrant. P. Marítimum and P. verecúndum are the finest; the flowers are white, in large umbels; petals long, recurved, and undulate. P. littoràlis, P. speciòsum, and P. caribæum, are now given to the genus Hymenocállis, and are fine flowering species. Care must be taken not to give them much water while dormant. The soil ought at that time to be in a half dry state. They are in flower from May to August.