FIG. 56. ALISMA NATANS.
A. natans (floating).* fl. white; peduncles simple. July. l. elliptical-obtuse; stem ones floating, on long stalks, scarcely nerved; those at the base of the plant are long, linear-lanceolate, membranous scales, or abortive root leaves. North Wales and Cumberland, but very rare; abundant in other parts of Europe. See Fig. 56.
A. Plantago (plantain).* fl. delicate pale rose coloured; scape branched upwards. July. l. ovate, acute, all radical, on long stalks; branches all whorled, bracteated, compound. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Britain. A very handsome aquatic for naturalising. See Fig. 57.
FIG. 57. PORTION OF
INFLORESCENCE
OF ALISMA PLANTAGO.
A. P. lanceolata (lance-shaped leaves). fl. pure white. July. l. lanceolate. Britain.
A. ranunculoides (ranunculus-like). In general appearance very like the last named species, but smaller. Britain.
ALISMACEÆ. A small order of aquatic or marsh plants, with three-petaled flowers, on leafless scapes, and simple radical leaves. The genera best known are Alisma and Sagittaria.
ALKANET. See [Anchusa tinctoria].
ALLAMANDA (named in memory of Dr. Allamand, of Leyden, who first communicated seeds of this genus to Linnæus). ORD. Apocynaceæ. Elegant climbing evergreen stove plants. Peduncles terminal and many-flowered; corolla funnel-shaped, with a narrow tube, gamopetalous, large, inflated, five-cleft at the apex. Leaves verticillate. This genus differs from all others of the same order, in the figure of the corolla. Of comparatively easy culture. To obtain their beauty of foliage and flowers, the shoots should be tied to wires placed within 8in. or 9in. of the glass that forms the roof of the structure in which the plants are growing. Trained in this way, and the shoots allowed to ramble in a somewhat natural manner, the effect, when the plants are in flower, is grander and more pleasing in every respect than when the shoots are tied to a formal trellis, of whatever shape. When thoroughly established, they succeed admirably in a compost of three parts good fibry loam, and one part wood charcoal or coarse river sand, with some rotten cow manure added. When potting the plants, make the fresh compost firm round the old balls of soil, and do not fill the pots too full; leave room for plenty of water, as, when in active growth, they require a liberal daily supply. They must be pruned annually in January or February, cutting the previous year's shoots back to within a joint or two of the old wood. Allamandas should be exposed to the light as much as possible at all seasons of the year. In winter months they require but little water, but the drainage must always be perfect. They are remarkably free from insect attacks of any kind. It may be also observed that the temperature should never fall below 55deg. This genus is easily propagated by cuttings, which will root at any time of the year in a bottom heat of from 70deg. to 80deg. The usual time is, however, in spring, when the old plants are pruned back. Choose the tops of the shoots, retaining two or three joints to each cutting; place these in a compost of sand and peat or leaf mould in equal proportions, singly, in small pots. Press the soil firmly around each cutting, and, when all are inserted, give a good watering, and plunge the pots in the propagating bed. Attend to shading and watering, and in about three weeks' time they will have emitted roots, and started to grow at the tops. The pots should now be raised out of the plunging material, and placed upon the surface thereof, and there allowed to remain two or three weeks longer; when the young roots will have, by this time, filled the little pots, and a shift into the larger ones will be necessary. Return the plants to the propagating bed, but do not plunge them therein. As soon as it is certain that the roots have commenced growth in the fresh soil, pinch the point of each plant that is intended to be grown on a trellis. This will cause the remaining buds to push out fresh shoots; and these, as soon as they have made two joints or whorls of leaves each, should have their points pinched out also. By repotting the plants as often as they fill their pots with roots during the first season of their growth, and pinching the points out of the shoots twice or thrice in the same time, a good foundation will be formed, from which the future specimens will spring. In the case of plants intended to be trained up rafters or pillars, they should not have their points pinched out until they attain to the height where it is desirable they should have more than one shoot, and be repotted as recommended above, for the first year; but, after that, they will require to be repotted only once a year, and this should be done soon after the buds have started to grow afresh in the spring.
A. Aubletii (Aublet's).* fl. yellow, large. June. l. four to five in a whorl, broad-oblong, acuminated, rather hairy beneath. Guiana, 1848.
A. cathartica (purging).* fl. yellow, large. June. l. four in a whorl, obovate, obtuse, acutish, with sub-undulated edges, glabrous. Guiana, 1785. SYN. A. Linnæi.
A. chelsoni (Chelsea).* fl. yellow, large. Summer. This splendid plant is least suited of any for trellis training, from its wood being stiffer and harder, and is therefore best for the roof of a house; it is one of the best kinds for cutting. Garden hybrid.
A. grandiflora (large-flowered).* fl. distinct pale yellow, rather large, very free bloomer. June. Brazil, 1844.
A. Linnæi (Linnæus's). Synonymous with A. cathartica.
A. neriifolia (oleander-leaved).* fl. deep golden yellow, elegantly streaked with orange, between funnel and bell shaped, the tube being wide, 1in. long; panicle many-flowered. June. l. oblong, on short petioles, acuminate. h. 3ft. South America, 1847. Shrub erect, glabrous.
A. nobilis (noble).* fl. bright yellow, rather deeper tinted in the throat, large, full circular form, but without streaks or any other markings. July. l. in whorls of four or of three, tapered to the base, sessile, oblong, abruptly acuminate, membranaceous, hairy on both surfaces, especially beneath and on the midrib. Brazil, 1867. One of the best species.
A. Schottii (Schott's).* fl. yellow, large, throat beautifully striped with rich brown. September. l. oblong, acuminated, four in a whorl, quite glabrous, on both surfaces. h. 10ft. Brazil, 1847. This species is a very strong grower, and suits the roof system best; it is also a very free bloomer.
A. verticillata (whorl-leaved). fl. yellow, large. June. l. usually six in a whorl, ovate-oblong, obtuse, quite glabrous. South America, 1812.
A. violacea (violet). fl. purple. Brazil, 1859.
ALLANTODIA (from allantos, a sausage; in reference to the cylindrical form of the indusium). ORD. Filices. A greenhouse monotypic genus, differing from Asplenium in the dehiscence of the involucre, and it may receive similar treatment to the Spleenworts. Sori dorsal, linear-oblong, attached to the primary veins. Involucre the same shape as the sorus and quite inclosing it, bursting in an irregular line down to the centre.