FIG. 89. ANCHUSA SEMPERVIRENS.
ANDROCYMBIUM (from aner, a man, and cymbos, a cavity; the stamens are enclosed in a hollow formed by the folding of the limb of the petals). ORD. Liliaceæ. A peculiar greenhouse bulbous plant, requiring a light sandy soil, dry atmosphere, no shade, and a season of rest; during the latter period, scarcely any water is required. Propagated by seeds and offsets.
A. punctatum (dotted). fl. whitish, few, in a dense sessile umbel, surrounded by about four spreading lanceolate, acuminate leaves, which are 5in. to 6in. long, ½in. to ¾in. broad above the base, channelled down the centre from base to tip. South Africa, 1874.
ANDRŒCIUM. The male organ of the flower.
ANDROGYNOUS. Producing male and female flowers on the same spike.
ANDROLEPIS (from aner, a man, and lepis, a scale; referring to the scaly stamens). ORD. Bromeliaceæ. Stove evergreen epiphyte. For culture, see [Æchmea.]
A. Skinneri (Skinner's). fl. white. h. 1½ft. Guatemala, 1850. SYN. Billbergia Skinneri.
ANDROMEDA (named after the daughter of Cepheus, who was rescued from the sea monster by Perseus). ORD. Ericaceæ. A dwarf, hardy shrub, found in peaty bogs in the temperate and Arctic regions of the northern hemisphere. Sow seeds as soon as ripe in pots or pans, very thinly, in sandy peat soil, and place in a cool frame, giving plenty of air. Place the young plants out in spring. Layers, pegged carefully down during September, will generally take twelve months to make sufficient roots to allow of their being separated, and thus become independent plants. For other species often included under this genus in catalogues, see Cassandra, Cassiope, Leucothoë, Lyonia, Oxydendrum, Pieris, and Zenobia.
A. polifolia (Polium-leaved). Wild Rosemary. fl. pinky white, drooping, sometimes tipped with red; corolla ovate, furnished with ovate, rather leafy imbricated bracteas, terminal, umbellate. June. l. linear-lanceolate, mucronulate, with the margins more or less revolute, quite entire, glaucous beneath, with an elevated rib, and reticulated veins. h. 1ft. The numerous varieties of this very beautiful native shrub principally differ in the colouring of the flowers.