A. hyemale (wintry).* fl. greenish-brown, large, racemose, borne on a naked scape after the leaves have died down; labellum as long as the sepals; column sessile, rather long, wingless. April. Stem pseudo-bulbous, with one large, broad, ribbed leaf. h. 1ft. 1827.
APLOTAXIS. Included under Saussurea (which see).
APOCARPOUS. Having the carpels or fruit separate, or disunited.
APOCYNACEÆ. A large order of trees, shrubs, or rarely herbs, usually with a poisonous, milky sap. Flowers regular, solitary or corymbose; corolla salver-shaped or campanulate. Leaves simple, opposite, sometimes alternate or whorled. Well known genera belonging to this order are: Allamanda, Nerium, Tabernæmontana and Vinca.
APOCYNUM (from apo, away, and kyon, a dog; adopted by Dioscorides, because the plant was supposed to be poisonous to dogs). ORD. Apocynaceæ. Dog's Bane. Perennial erect herbs, with cymose flowers and membranous, opposite leaves. There are several species belonging to this genus, but only the one described below is worthy of being cultivated. They are of extremely easy culture, thriving in any ordinary soil; and may be propagated by suckers, divisions, or seeds. The best time to divide is just as they are starting into fresh growth in spring.
A. androsæmifolium (Tutsan-leaved).* fl. pale red, with darker stripes; corolla campanulate; cymes terminal and lateral. July. l. ovate, glabrous, petiolate, pale beneath. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Virginia, and Canada, 1683. A very old garden favourite, thriving best in peaty soil, with Azaleas, &c. See Fig. 118.
FIG. 118. INFLORESCENCE OF APOCYNUM ANDROSÆMIFOLIUM.
APONOGETON (from apon, Celtic for water, and geiton, neighbour; alluding to the habitat of these plants). ORD. Naiadaceæ. Very ornamental aquatic perennials. There are several species, but A. distachyon is superior to the others. This species may be cultivated in small tanks or aquaria; it delights in an abundance of light and air, and is perfectly hardy, having become naturalised in many parts of the country. Pot the plants in rich sandy loam and rotten cow manure, using, of course, small pots, if the vessel in which it is to be grown is restricted. When introducing it to large tanks or lakes, commence with strong, previously well-established plants, in large pots, breaking the latter when the plants are immersed. Place them in positions where the water is about 1ft. 6in. to 2ft. deep; they will then rapidly increase by offsets and seeds, and, when established, will flower nearly all the year round. The other kinds will thrive with the same treatment; but they are neither so hardy nor so vigorous, and should only be grown in small tanks or aquaria.