AMARANTHACEÆ. An extensive order of herbs or (rarely) shrubs, with opposite or alternate leaves, and inconspicuous apetalous flowers, which are spicately or capitately disposed. The majority of this order are weeds; well-known exceptions being many species of Amaranthus.
AMARANTH, GLOBE. See Gomphrena.
FIG. 73. FLOWER SPIKE OF AMARANTHUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS.
AMARANTHUS (from a, not, and maraino, to wither; in reference to the length of time some of the flowers retain their colour). ORD. Amaranthaceæ. Hardy or half-hardy annuals, with alternate entire leaves and small green or red flowers in large bracteate clustered spikes. Flowers polygamous, furnished with three bracts at the base of a three or five-lobed glabrous perianth. Stamens four or five. Of very easy culture; they thrive best in rich loamy soil, and are largely employed for sub-tropical and other bedding, for vases and conservatory decorations, being very ornamental. The seed should be sown in April in a hotbed, and the plants thinned out in the same situation when about ½in. high. About the end of May, they can be transplanted out of doors in their permanent situations. They are also very handsome when grown in pots. The young plants should be potted off early, and freely encouraged, allowing plenty of pot-room and moisture, and be kept near the glass, to bring out their brightest colouring. To develop their full beauty, plenty of room is required. There are about twelve species (indigenous to warm and tropical countries).
A. bicolor (two-coloured). l. green, variously streaked with light yellow. h. 2ft. India, 1802. This species is rather delicate, and must have a warm sunny situation.
A. b. ruber (red).* l. brilliant glistening scarlet, merging into a dark violet red, mixed with green. Hardier than the type.
A. caudatus (caudate).* Love Lies Bleeding. fl. dark purplish, collected in numerous whorls, which are disposed in handsome drooping spikes. August. h. 2ft. to 3ft. India, 1596. A very common and vigorous growing hardy annual. There is a yellowish-flowered variety, which, though less ornamental, is an effective contrast. See Fig. 72.
A. cruentus (dark bloody). Synonymous with A. hypochondriacus.
A. Henderi (Hender's). l. lanceolate, undulated, intense rosy carmine, varying with orange buff, golden yellow, and olive green. h. 3ft. A garden hybrid, closely allied to A. salicifolius. Pyramidal habit.
A. hypochondriacus (hypochondriac).* Prince's Feather. fl. deep crimson, on densely packed, erect spikes. July. l. purplish beneath. h. 4ft. to 5ft. Asiatic, 1684. SYN. A. cruentus. See Fig. 73.
A. h. atropurpureus (dark purple).* An improved variety of above.
A. melancholicus ruber (melancholy-red).* h. about 1ft. Japan. A compact growing variety, with large shaded crimson leaves. Largely used for bedding purposes.
A. salicifolius (willow-leaved).* l. 7in. to 15in. long, willow-shaped, linear, and wavy, which, by their drooping outline, present a very elegant and effective appearance. When fully grown, the leaves are brilliantly banded and tipped with orange, carmine, and bronze. h. 3ft. Philippine Isles, 1871.
A. s. Princess of Wales.* l. carmine, orange green, and bright yellow, beautifully blended. h. 3ft. A garden hybrid.
A. sanguineus (bloody). fl. purple, disposed partly in small heads in the axils of the upper leaves, and partly in slender, flexible spikes, which form a more or less branching panicle. July. l. blood red. h. 3ft. Bahama, 1775.
FIG. 74. AMARANTHUS TRICOLOR.
A. speciosus (showy).* fl. dark crimson purple, disposed in large erect spikes, forming a fine plumy panicle. July. l. suffused with a reddish tinge, which disappears at the time of flowering. h. 3ft. to 5ft. Nepaul, 1819.
A. s. aureus (golden). fl. of a fine brownish-golden hue. Very effective when grown in masses.
A. tricolor (three-coloured).* l. of a fine, transparent, purplish-red or dark carmine from the base to the middle; a large spot of bright yellow occupies the greater part of the upper end of the leaf; point generally green; leafstalks yellow. h. 1½ft. East Indies, 1548. See Fig. 74. There are several garden varieties of this species, requiring a somewhat warmer situation.
AMARYLLIDEÆ. A large and important order of usually bulbous plants, sometimes with a stem. Flowers solitary, umbellate, or paniculate; perianth superior, six-lobed, often with a corona at the top of the tube. Leaves ensiform or linear. This order contains many very beautiful genera, including Agave, Amaryllis, Crinum, Hæmanthus, Hippeastrum, Narcissus, Pancratium, and several others.