Polyspòra axillàris, once called Caméllia axillàris, though in appearance it has no characteristic of a Caméllia, and has been frequently killed in the Green-house by being too cold for its nature; leaves oblong, obovate, towards the extremity serrulate. The leaves on the young wood are entire. Flowers white; petals a little notched. It is worthy of a situation in every collection.
Passiflòra, "Passion-Flower, so named on account of its being supposed to represent in the appendages of its flower the Passion of Jesus Christ." There are about fifty species, all climbing plants, that belong to the Hot-house. Many are of no ordinary beauty; a few species are odoriferous; others bear edible fruits, though not rich in flavour. P. alàta is in our collections, and greatly admired; the flowers are red, blue, and white, beautifully contrasted, and flower profusely in pots. P. racemòsa, has red flowers, and one of the most profuse in flowering. P. cærùleo-racemòsa, purple and red, and by many thought to be the finest of the genus. P. quadrangulàris has beautiful red and white flowers. The plant is in several collections, but has seldom flowered; it requires to be planted in the ground to make it flower freely, and it will also produce fruit. P. filamentòsa is white and blue, and a good flowerer. P. picturàta is a scarce and beautiful variously coloured species. There are many other fine species, but these are the most esteemed sorts; and when well established will flower profusely from May to August. They are desirable in every collection, and will take only a small space to hold them, by training the vines up the rafters of the Hot-house.
Pandànus, Screw Pine. There are above twenty species in this genus, several of them very interesting, but none so greatly admired as P. odoratíssimus. The leaves in established plants are from four to six feet long, on the back and edges spiny; are spreading, imbricated, and embracing the stem, and placed in three spiral rows upon it. The top soon becomes heavy when the plant throws out prongs one, two, or three feet up the stem in an oblique descending direction, which take root in the ground, and thus become perfectly supported. It is cultivated in Japan for its delightful fragrance, and it is said, "of all the perfumes, it is by far the richest and most powerful." P. ùtilis, red spined. We question this species, and are inclined to believe that it is the former, only when the plants are newly raised from seed, the spines and leaves are red, changing to green as they become advanced in age. The plants are easy of culture, and will grow almost in any soil.
Pterospérmum, five species of plants that have very curiously constructed flowers, of a white colour, and fragrant; the foliage is of a brown rusty nature, and before expansion silvery-like. P. suberifòlium is in several of our collections, and esteemed. P. semisagittàtum has fringed bractæa; leaves oblong, accuminate, entire, sagittate on one side.
Plumèrias, above twenty species. Plants of a slow growth, robust nature, and are deciduous. The foliage is greatly admired. The plants are shy to flower, but are brilliant in colour. P. acuminàta, has lanceolate, acute leaves; flowers corymbose and terminale. P. trícolor has oblong, acute, veiny leaves; corolla red, yellow, and white. This and P. rùbra are the finest of the genus. They ought not to get any water while not in a growing state.
Phœnix, Date-palm, about eight species, principally Asiatic plants. The foliage is not so attractive as many others of the palm family, but it is rendered interesting by producing a well known fruit called Date. P. dactylífera will do very well in a common Green-house. In Arabia, Upper Egypt, and Barbary, it is much used in domestic economy. P. paludósa has the most beautiful foliage, and the best habit. The flowers are diœcious.
Roscòea. A genus of about five species, all pretty, but not much known. R. purpùrea has been introduced into our collections, and is the finest of the genus. The flowers are light purple, large, and in terminale sheaths at the top of the stem. R. spicàta and R. capitàta are both fine species, with blue flowers. They are all herbaceous, with strong half tuberous roots, requiring little water while dormant, and a liberal supply when growing.
Ruéllia. There are a few species, very pretty free flowering plants, of easy culture. R. formòsa, flowers long, of a fine scarlet colour; plant half shrubby. R. fulgída has bright scarlet flowers on axillary long stalked fascicles. R. persicifòlia, with unequal leaves, and light blue flowers, is now called R. anisophylla; and the true one has oblong, wavy, leaves, deeply nerved, petioles long; flowers yellow, sessile, in axillary and terminale heads, stem erect. One healthy plant will be frequently in flower from January to June. This species ought to be in every collection, both for its beauty of flower and foliage.
Rhápis, a genus of palms, that will grow very freely with heat, and room at the roots. R. flabellifórmis is an erect growing palm, with a spreading head. It is a native of China.
Thunbérgia, a genus containing six climbing plants, of a half shrubby nature. Some of them have a fragrant odour. T. coccínea, red; T. grandiflòra, blue; T. fràgrans, sweet-scented; T. alàta, has pretty buff and purple flowers, which are in great profusion. We are not certain but the latter will make a beautiful annual in the Flower-garden. It seeds freely, and from the time of sowing until flowering is about two months, if the heat is brisk. If sown in May, they will bloom from July until killed by frost.