AMBER-TREE. See [Anthospermum.]
AMBROSINIA (commemorative of Professor Giacinti Ambrosini, of Bologna). ORD. Aroideæ (Araceæ). A curious, half-hardy, tuberous perennial, thriving in any light soil, with protection in winter. Increased by seeds, and by divisions. The former should be sown, as soon as ripe, in a cool house; and the latter should be made just previous to new growth in spring.
A. Bassii (Bass's).* fl., spathes prolonged into a long tail, and a tongue-shaped spadix, with the male flowers on one side, and so placed as to preclude the access of pollen to the stigma on the other side of the spathe, save by insect agency. l. oblong, stalked. h. 4in. Corsica, Sardinia, 1879.
AMBURY, or ANBURY. The name given to galls of small Weevils (Ceuthorhynchus sulcicollis) which appear on the roots of Cabbages and Turnips, as well as of the Wild Mustard, and of other weeds belonging to the genus Brassica. The galls form swellings individually about the size of split peas, but often two or more are joined to form considerable masses. In each is a space inclosing a white grub. Anbury is usually not very hurtful. It is quite distinct from Clubbing. The galled roots should be collected, before the grubs emerge, and burned.
AMELANCHIER (Savoy name of the Medlar, to which this genus is closely allied). TRIBE Pomaceæ of ORD. Rosaceæ. Hardy, deciduous shrubs or small trees, with racemes of white flowers, and simple, serrated leaves; bracteas linear-lanceolate. Pome, when mature, three to five-celled. They are of easy cultivation, in a somewhat rich, loamy soil, and are propagated by layers or cuttings, in autumn, in sheltered situations; by seeds, and by grafting, in early spring, on the Hawthorn or the Quince, or the weaker on the stronger-growing species.
A. canadensis (Canadian).* Grape Pear. fl. white. April. Pome purple. l. oblong-elliptic, cuspidate, when young rather villous, but at length glabrous. h. 6ft. to 8ft. Canada, 1746. A very ornamental tree, having a profusion of flowers in early spring, and rich autumnal foliage. SYN. Pyrus Botryapium.
A. c. florida (flowery).* fl. white, numerous, in upright racemes. May. Pome purple. l. oblong, obtuse at both ends, coarsely serrate in the terminal portion, glabrous in every state. h. 10ft. to 20ft. North America, 1826.
A. c. ovalis (oval-leaved). fl. white; racemes pressed together. April. l. roundish-elliptic, acute when rather young, velvety beneath, glabrous when mature. h. 6ft. to 8ft. North America, 1800.
A. c. parvifolia (small-leaved). This has a dwarfer habit, and shorter leaves, than the type.
A. sanguinea, (bloody). fl. white; racemes capitate. April. Pome blackish-purple. l. oblong, rounded at both ends, sharply serrated, always naked. h. 4ft. to 8ft. North America, 1800. This form differs principally from A. canadensis in the fewer flowers, much shorter raceme, and shorter, broader, and more ovate petals.
A. vulgaris (common).* fl. white. April. Pome darkish-purple. l. roundish-oval, bluntish, pubescent beneath, at length glabrous. h. 3ft. to 9ft. Europe, 1596. A desirable shrub, producing an abundance of flowers. SYN. Mespilus Amelanchier.
AMELLUS (a name employed by Virgil for a blue, Aster-looking plant growing on the banks of the river Mella). ORD. Compositæ. Pretty, branched, ascending or diffuse, perennial herbs. Flowers in solitary heads. Leaves hairy, lower ones opposite, upper alternate. Of very easy culture, in ordinary garden soil. Increased by divisions, or cuttings, inserted under glass, in spring.
A. Lychnitis (Lychnitis). fl.-heads violet, solitary, terminal, and lateral. June. l. linear, lanceolate, entire, hoary. h. 6in. Cape of Good Hope. Evergreen, greenhouse trailer.
AMENTUM. A catkin. A deciduous spike of unisexual, apetalous flowers.