Solanum Sieglingii.—A large and handsome kind, which forms a small tree about 13 ft. high after some
years’ growth. The foliage is of a light-green colour, tinged here and there with rose, and sparsely armed with spines; the young unfolded leaves are slightly tinged with violet. Flowers numerous, small and white, appearing when the plant is two or three years old. A good kind which has been little tried in England. Venezuela.
Solanum Warscewiczii.—A very fine and ornamental kind, resembling S. macranthum, but with a lower and more thickset habit, and branching more at the base. The leaf-stalks also, and upper branches, are of a red colour, glandular, and scaly; and the flowers are white and small. The stem is armed with strong slightly recurved spines, and both the stems and the petioles of the leaves are covered with a very dense crop of short stiff brown hairs scarcely rising above the skin. This is one of the handsomest and best kinds we have.
Sonchus laciniatus.—A very graceful composite plant, from Madeira, with a stout stem, growing to a height of more than 5 ft., and large deeply-cut leaves with linear-lance-shaped segments. Flower-heads yellow. When grouped on grass-plats, or open spaces in pleasure-grounds, the fine foliage of this plant is seen to very great advantage; but being so slender and delicate the plants must be placed where they may be seen. It should be planted out at the end of May, and thrives best in rich, substantial soil, in a warm sunny position. Very numerous varieties, with the leaves variously divided and of various shades of green, have been advertised in catalogues under specific names, as S. lyratus, S. gummiferus, etc., etc. Many of these are quite as charming as the type, and are well adapted for the same uses.
*Sorghum halepense.—A handsome hardy grass from S. Europe, N. Africa, and Syria, with an erect stem about 3½ ft. high, and broad flat leaves more than 1 ft. long, chiefly collected round the base of the plant. It is most attractive when in flower in the end of summer, the inflorescence consisting of a dense panicle of purplish awned flowers. Suitable for isolation, groups, or borders.
Sparmannia africana.—A beautiful flowering stove-shrub from 3 ft. to 12 ft. high, very much resembling a Malva in habit, with long-stalked, heart-shaped, lobed leaves, clothed with soft down, and numerous pretty white flowers produced in stalked umbels. It thrives freely in the open air in the south of England, from the end of May to October, if planted in rich light soil and in warm positions. Cape of Good Hope.