ANONYMOS BRACTEATA. See Zornia tetraphylla.
ANOPLANTHUS (in part). A synonym of Phelipæa (which see).
ANOPLOPHYTUM. See Schlumbergeria and Tillandsia.
ANOPTERUS (from ano, upwards, and pteron, a wing; in reference to the seeds, which are winged at the apex). ORD. Saxifrageæ. A very handsome greenhouse evergreen shrub, having a free branching habit, large dark shining green leaves, and long panicles of salver-shaped flowers. It would probably prove quite hardy in the south and west of England, and parts of Scotland, provided it had a slight winter protection. It grows well in sandy loam and peat. When grown in pots, it requires plenty of room and water. Half-ripened cuttings root freely under a bell glass in a cool house or frame in summer.
A. glandulosa (glandular).* fl. white, rose tinted, large; racemes erect, simple, terminal. April, May. l. alternate, rarely nearly opposite, ovate-oblong, attenuated at both ends, nearly sessile, leathery, toothed. h. 3ft. Van Diemen's Land, 1823.
ANSELLIA (named after Mr. Ansell, the botanical collector who accompanied the ill-fated Niger Expedition). ORD. Orchidaceæ. Strong growing, free flowering stove epiphytal orchids. Best grown in large pots, as they produce a quantity of roots. They require a compost of turfy peat, with moderate drainage. An ample supply of water during the growing season is needed; but care must be taken not to let any remain in the heart of the plants, as they are very likely to rot. During the season of rest, little or no water, but a damp atmosphere, are the chief requirements. Propagated by divisions of the bulbs just after flowering.
A. africana (African).* fl., sepals and petals nearly 2in. long, greenish yellow, spotted with brownish red; lip small, yellow; spikes large, drooping, branched, each sometimes bearing nearly a hundred blooms. Stems 3ft. to 4ft. high, with light evergreen foliage. Fernando Po, 1844. Lasts two months in perfection.
A. a. gigantea (gigantic).* fl. on upright spikes from the top of the pseudo-bulbs, but smaller, of a light yellow tint, with very few narrow, transverse, brown bars, and a deep yellow lip, without warts of any kind on its middle lobe, and with more or less crenulated keels. Natal, 1847. The perfume is very peculiar. Very rare.
A. a. lutea (yellow). Not so strong a grower; producing clusters of light yellow flowers from the top of the pseudo-bulbs. Natal.
A. a. nilotica (Nile district).* As a garden plant this is much superior to the type. The habit is dwarfer, the colours of the flowers brighter and more distinctly defined. The sepals and petals, too, are more spreading. Eastern Africa.
ANSERINA. See Potentilla anserina.
ANTENNÆ. Two movable, articulated organs attached to the heads of insects and crustacea, commonly called "horns" or "feelers." They are variable in form and length. Antennæ seem to serve for touch, and, perhaps, for smell and hearing.