A. alba (white).* fl. white; racemes simple. May, June. l. ovate-lanceolate, serrate or cut. Berries white, ovate-oblong, h. 1ft. to 1½ft. N. America.
FIG. 23. ACTÆA SPICATA, showing Habit and Raceme of Flowers.
A. spicata (spiked).* fl. white, or bluish; racemes ovate. Summer. l. bi- or triternate, serrated. Berries oblong, black, poisonous. h. 1ft. England. See Fig. 23.
A. s. rubra (red).* This differs from the type in having bright red berries, which are disposed in dense clusters on spikes overtopping the foliage. North America. A very handsome hardy perennial.
ACTINELLA (from aktin, a ray; small rayed). SYN. Picradenia. ORD. Compositæ. A small genus of hardy herbaceous plants, having radiate capitules. The only species worth cultivating is A. grandiflora. It thrives in an open border with a light soil. Increased by divisions of the root in spring.
A. grandiflora (large-flowered).* fl.-heads yellow, large, and handsome, 3in. in diameter. Summer. h. 6in. to 9in. Colorado. A very pretty branched perennial, suitable for the alpine garden.
A. lanata (woolly). See Eriophyllum cæspitosum.
ACTINIDIA (from aktin, a ray; the styles radiate like the spokes of a wheel). ORD. Ternstrœmiaceæ. A genus of ornamental hardy deciduous climbing shrubs, with axillary corymbs of flowers; sepals and petals imbricate. Leaves entire. Excellent for trellis-work or walls, and thriving best in a light rich soil. Increased by seeds, layers, or cuttings; the latter should be put in under a hand light in autumn, in sandy soil.
FIG. 24. ACTINIDIA VOLUBILIS.
A. Kolomikta (Kolomikta).* fl. white, solitary, axillary, or cymose, ½in. in diameter; peduncles about ½in. long. Summer. l. ovate-oblong, petiolate, rounded or sub-cordate at the base, and tapering into a long point, serrate; the autumnal tints are very handsome, changing to white and red. N. E. Asia, 1880. Rarely met with.
A. polygama (polygamous). fl. white, fragrant. Summer. l. cordate, serrate, petiolate. Japan, 1870. The berries of this species are edible.
A. volubilis (twining).* fl. white, small. June. l. oval on flowering branches, elliptic on climbing stems. Japan, 1874. A very free growing species. See Fig. 24.