AMPHICOME (from amphi, on both sides, and kome, a head of hair; in reference to the seeds being furnished with a tuft of hairs at both ends). ORD. Bignoniaceæ. Flowers axillary or terminal. Leaves alternate, unequally pinnate. Very ornamental greenhouse or half-hardy rock herbaceous plants. If planted outside, they must be protected during the winter from wet and severe frosts. A mixture of loam, sand, and leaf soil suits them well. Increased by striking the young shoots in spring in sandy soil in gentle heat; or by seed, which should be sown in early spring, in pots of sandy soil placed in a greenhouse.
A. arguta (finely-cut).* fl. red, drooping; racemes axillary, terminal; corolla tubular near the base, ventricose above. August. l. alternate, impari-pinnate; leaflets opposite, on short petioles, three to four pairs, lanceolate, acuminated, deeply serrated. h. 3ft. Himalaya, 1837.
A. Emodi (Emodian).* fl. rose and orange, erect; racemes axillary; corolla 1½in. to 2in. long, bell-shaped, slightly tubular below. August to October. l. impari-pinnate, with numerous leaflets. h. 1ft. to 1½ft. India, at high altitudes, 1852. A very beautiful plant.
AMPHILOPHIUM (from amphilophos, crested on all sides; limb of corolla much curled). SYN. Amphilobium. ORD. Bignoniaceæ. A handsome stove evergreen climber. Corolla somewhat coriaceous, with a short tube, and a large ventricose throat. Loam and peat, well mixed, suits it best; cuttings from young shoots root readily in sand, under a hand glass, with bottom heat, during the spring months.
A. paniculatum (panicled).* fl. rose-coloured; panicle terminal, composed of three-flowered peduncles. June. l. joined by pairs, opposite; leaflets ovate-roundish, acuminated, sub-cordate. West Indies, 1738.
AMPLEXICAULIS. Embracing the stem; usually applied to leaves.
AMPULLACEOUS. Resembling a bladder or flask.
AMSONIA (in honour of Charles Amson, a scientific traveller in America). ORD. Apocynaceæ. Very pretty hardy, herbaceous perennials, with alternate leaves, and terminal panicles of pale blue flowers; corolla with linear lobes, and a narrow funnel-shaped tube. They thrive in half shady positions in borders, or the edges of shrubberies, where they will not need to be frequently transplanted. Propagated by cuttings during the summer months, or by divisions of the roots in spring.
A. latifolia (broad-leaved). Synonymous with A. Tabernæmontana.
FIG. 82. AMSONIA SALICIFOLIA, showing Habit and Flower.