FIG. 152. TUBERS OF JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE.
ARTICULATE, ARTICULATED. Jointed; having joints.
ARTILLERY PLANT. See Pilea microphylla.
ARTOCARPEÆ. A tribe of the large order Urticaceæ.
ARTOCARPUS (from artos, bread, and carpos, fruit; the fruit, when baked, resembling bread). Bread Fruit. SYNS. Polyphema, Rademachia, Rima. ORD. Urticaceæ. TRIBE Artocarpeæ. Included in this most remarkable tribe, in addition to the Bread Fruit Tree, is the virulent poisonous Antiaris toxicaria, and the economic Cow Tree (Brosimum Galactodendron), of Caraccas. A genus of stove evergreen trees, requiring a high and very moist atmosphere, a copious supply of water, perfect drainage, and a compost of two parts rich loam and one of leaf mould, with the addition of a little silver sand. Under all conditions, this genus is difficult to propagate; the young and slender lateral growths are adapted for cuttings; and suckers may be utilised when procurable, which is very rare.
A. Cannoni (Cannon's).* l. alternate, petiolate; petiole and midrib bright red; upper surface glossy, of a rich, full bronzy crimson hue, beautifully tinted with purple; under surface bright vinous red. The leaves vary much in form; some are simple and cordate at the base, with the apex irregularly lobate; some have the apex regularly three-lobed, with short, entire lobes; and others, again, are deep three-lobed, being divided nearly to the base, the segments, of which the centre one is largest, being slightly sinuate-lobed. h. 7ft. Society Islands, 1877. This is a most distinct and handsome ornamental-leaved plant.
A. incisa (incised).* True Bread Fruit. l. from 2ft. to 3ft. long, deeply lobed or incised, deep green on the upper side, paler below. h. 50ft. South Sea Islands, 1793. This is a noble tree when full grown, and forms a most distinct and beautiful stove plant. The extraordinary fruit is produced from the axils of the leaves in large globular heads, and is highly valued as an article of food in its native country.
A. integrifolia (entire-leaved). l. oblong, undivided, sinuated, scabrous, downy beneath. h. 30ft. India, 1778.
A. laciniata metallica (laciniate, metallic). l. bronzy above, reddish purple beneath. Polynesia.
FIG. 153. ARUM MACULATUM.
ARUM (formerly aron, and probably of Egyptian extraction). ORD. Aroideæ. A large genus of ornamental or curious, hardy, greenhouse or stove perennials, with thick rhizomes and pedate or hastate leaves. Spathe large, convolute; spadix naked and club-shaped at the top. They are all of easy culture, and the indoor species will thrive with such treatment as is given to Alocasias, Caladiums, &c. Rich soil is one of the first conditions of success. Like most plants grown for the beauty of their foliage, rapid and free growth is necessary. A compost of good rich loam, with a third of sweet manure, thoroughly rotted, or leaf mould, with some sharp sand, is very suitable. Plenty of moisture is necessary during the growing season, after which the tender kinds should be kept moderately dry, warm, and at rest during the winter. The hardy kinds may be left in the ground. Propagated by seeds or division of the roots—usually the latter. The best time to divide them is just as they commence their new growth, securing as many roots as possible to each division. Any rootless pieces should be placed in heat shortly after removal; this hastens the formation of roots and excites top growth. Arums are useful in sub-tropical gardening, and are otherwise interesting plants both for indoors and outside cultivation; and the hardy kinds are very suitable for naturalising in woodlands, &c. There are many other species besides those here described, but the following list comprises the best. Sub-sections of the genus will be found treated separately, such as [Amorphophallus] (which see), &c.
