B. coronata (crowned).* fl. of pure glossy whiteness, quadrangular, crown-shaped, 2in. in diameter each way. June. l. narrow, bipinnatifid, cut into small segments. h. 1½ft. Chili, 1872. This is an elegant dwarf, tufted, erect biennial, with the pure white blooms imbedded in the metallic lustrous foliage. SYN. Caiophora coronata. See Fig. 258.
B. insignis (remarkable).* fl. with whitish petals and reddish-yellow scales, axillary, on long peduncles, about 1in. in diameter. July. l., lower ones five to seven-lobed; upper ones deeply bipinnatifid. h. 1ft. Chili, 1826. Hardy annual trailer. SYN. Loasa palmata. (B. M. 2865.)
BOBARTIA (named after Jacob Bobart, Professor of Botany at Oxford in the seventeenth century). ORD. Irideæ. A small genus of greenhouse or hardy bulbous plants, closely allied to Sisyrinchium. The species in cultivation are very pretty hardy plants, but require protection from severe frosts and excessive rains. They thrive best in a warm, light soil, and make pretty plants for rockwork. Propagated by separating the offsets during autumn. This genus has been much misunderstood. Among the plants which have been referred to it are some which now find places in the genera Aristea, Sisyrinchium, Homeria, Marica, Moræa, &c., &c.
B. aurantiaca. See Homeria aurantiaca.
B. gladiata (sword-shaped). fl. yellow, thinly sprinkled with purple dots near the centre, handsome, nearly 2in. across. l. linear, ensiform, narrow, slightly glaucous, 1ft. or more in length. 1817. SYN. Marica gladiata. (B. R. 229.)
B. spathacea (rush-like). l. rush-like, several feet in length; flower-stem as long as leaves, bearing near extremity a cluster of pale yellow flowers, with narrow segments. Each flower lasts but one day; as a good many, however, are developed in each spathe, there is a succession which lasts some time. 1832. SYN. Xyris altissima. (L. B. C. 1900.)
FIG. 259. BOCCONIA CORDATA, showing Habit and Flower.
BOCCONIA (named after Paolo Bocconi, M.D., a Sicilian botanist, author of the "Museum des Plantes," and "Histoire Naturelle de l'Ile de Corse," &c.). ORD. Papaveraceæ. Two of the species are greenhouse or half-hardy shrubs. Flowers inconspicuous, in terminal panicles, with the branches and branchlets each furnished with one bract. Leaves stalked, glaucous, large, lobed. This genus does not well agree with the rest of Papaveraceæ, from its having one-seeded capsules and apetalous flowers. B. cordata is a handsome, hardy, herbaceous plant, with a stately habit and finely-cut foliage, and, where bold subjects are desired, few will be found superior to it. As an isolated specimen on the lawn, or by frequented walks, where it will not be too closely surrounded by tall plants, it may be grown with marked effect. It also forms a good subject for pot culture, and is largely used for sub-tropical bedding. The soil most suitable for its culture is a good fat loam, of considerable depth. Propagated by cuttings, taken from the axils of the larger leaves, during early summer; or by young suckers, taken from established plants, during summer, as they will then flower the following season. If the former method is employed, the cuttings should be pushed on, so that there are plenty of roots before the winter sets in. The other two species require greenhouse culture; but both are eminently suited for sub-tropical gardening, in any light rich soil, or well-drained and airy situation. They are best propagated by seeds, sown in a hotbed in spring, the seedlings being placed out from June to September.
B. cordata (cordate).* fl. buff-coloured, very numerous, borne in very large terminal panicles; individually they are not showy, but the fully grown inflorescence has a very distinct and pleasing appearance. Summer. l. large, reflexed, deeply-veined, roundish-cordate; margins lobed or sinuated. Stems growing rather close together, thickly set with leaves. h. 5ft. to 8ft. China, 1795, and 1866. Mr. Robinson recommends its being grown in the angle of two walls which shelter it from the north and east. It runs quickly at the roots, and the suckers may be cut off to the benefit of the parent plant; each sucker will form a strong plant in a year's time. SYNS. B. japonica and Macleaya yedoënsis. See Fig. 259. (B. M. 1905.)
B. frutescens (shrubby).* fl. greenish. October. l. large, sea-green, oval-oblong, cuneated at the base, pinnatifid. h. 3ft. to 6ft. Mexico, 1739. (L. B. C. 83.)
B. integrifolia (entire-leaved). fl. greenish; panicle crowded. l. flat, oblong, tapering towards each end, entire, or scarcely crenated. h. 9ft. Peru, 1822.
B. japonica (Japanese). Synonymous with B. cordata.
BŒBERA (named after Bœber, a Russian botanist). ORD. Compositæ. A genus of evergreen greenhouse shrubs, now generally referred to Dysodia. They are of easy culture, thriving in ordinary garden soil. Propagated by cuttings, made of young, rather firm, shoots, and placed in sand, under a glass. There are several other species besides the one given below, but they are not of much horticultural value.
B. incana (hoary).* fl.-heads golden; peduncles one-headed. November. l. pinnate, rather hairy; leaflets linear acute, channelled, some entire, and some trifid. Stem hairy. h. 1½ft. Mexico, 1828. (B. R. 1602.)
BŒHMERIA (named after George Rudolph Bœhmer, a German botanist). ORD. Urticaceæ. A genus of shrubs or herbaceous plants, allied to Urtica, from which it is distinguished in not having stinging hairs. B. nivea is the only species having any horticultural value. This thrives best in a warm, sandy soil; and is increased by divisions.