MllssOURI BOTANICAL
GARDEN BULLETIN
VOLUME XxIII
WITH 28 PLATES
i935
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
PUBLISHED MONTHLY EXCEPT JULY AND AUGUST,
BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE:
ONE DOLLAR A YEAR SINGLE NUMBER TEN CENTS
MIgssOUR) BOTANICAL
GARDEN LIBRARY
- Missouri BOTANICAL
— Garpen BULLETIN
Vol. XXIII JANUARY, 1935 No. 1
CONTENTS
Page
Forty-sixth Annual Report of the Director... ... 1
Statistical Information’ (i383 3-1 ee eB
ST. LOUIS, MO.
1935
Published Monthly, Except July and August, by the Board of Trustees
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE:
_ ~ ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR SINGLE COPIES TEN CENTS
ris agen
eu) Pie ele
< hc hahaa 3
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS WERE DESIGNATED IN MR, SHAW’S WILL
AND THE BOARD SO CONSTITUTED, EXCLUSIVE OF THE
_ EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, IS SELF-PERPETUATING
President
GEORGE C. HITCHCOCK
Vice-President
SAMUEL C, DAVIS
Second Vice-President
DANIEL K. CATLIN
L. Ray CARTER ALBERT T. PERKINS
THOMAS S. MAFFITT EUGENE PETTUS
GroRGE T. MooRE EruHan A. H. SHEPLEY
FRED G. ZEIBIG
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
GEORGE R. THROOP, WILLIAM SCARLETT,
Chancellor of Washington Uni- Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri
versity
BERNARD F’. DICKMANN, Rosert J. TERRY,
Mayor of the City of St. Louis President of The Academy of Sci-
ence of St. Louis
SoLon CAMERON
President of the Board of Education of St. Louis
Secretary
GERALD E. ULRICI
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VIEW OF ITALIAN
GARDEN
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Missouri Botanical
Garden Bulletin
Vol. XXIII JANUARY, 1935 No. 1
FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE DIRECTOR
Gentlemen:
I have the honor to submit herewith the forty-sixth annual
report of the Director.
For the past few years, no reference having been made in
these reports to finances, the impression has arisen that the
Garden has not been affected by the depression. Nothing
could be further from the facts. Like all similar institutions,
the income of which is derived from real estate and securities,
the gross returns have steadily fallen since 1928. This, how-
ever, is not all of the story. Unlike most botanical gardens, the
entire income of the Missouri Botanical Garden is not available
for maintaining its various activities, including the library,
herbarium, scientific work, ete., stipulated in the will of Henry
Shaw. Taxes, insurance, and the maintenance of the estate,
together with certain annual bequests made by Henry Shaw,
must be deducted and the Garden simply has what is left. The
accompanying diagram (fig. 1) will show how the maintenance
of the Garden has been squeezed between the lowering of the
gross income and the raising of the cost of the above items.
There must also be taken into consideration the almost uni-
versal rise in prices of fuel, scientific publications, and sup-
plies, which has become an increasing load on the diminishing
amount available for Garden purposes.
(1)
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
1928} 1929 | 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934
%,
28d 282,506
| \eraoz [EARNED IN/COME
260
247,231 a
240 !
220 \ 20.468
215,288 beroarryma"
RIA 8OS. | AVAILAIBLE mee Ka2i0.s58
200 \205,17 | FOR| GARDEN
180 \185,739
\
167, 355
160
157,904
40 \ 149,464
1
120
100
80
ern AXES. | ESTATE, AND [BEQUESTS
me 127 715
60 \50,898 \.61, 492 61,695
\ss3_f ores
40
Fig. 1
PLATE 2
5
3, 193
2
Mo. Bot. GARD. BULL., VOL.
ORCHID DISPLAY, 1934
SPRING
BU
EXHIBIT,
1934
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MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 3
While, in spite of difficulties, the normal activities of the Gar-
den have not been curtailed in a way to cause permanent dam-
age, certain improvements and developments have had to be
deferred because of these conditions.
Because the Garden is not a tax-supported institution it has
as yet been unable to secure Federal funds which have so bene-
fited other botanical gardens and parks. It is a well-recog-
nized fact that public institutions receiving assistance from va-
rious emergency funds provided by municipal, state, or fed-
eral means have been able to complete work which even in bet-
ter times could not have been contemplated; so that in spite
of the reduction of normal income they really are better off be-
cause of the depression than they would otherwise have been.
MAIN CONSERVATORIES
No marked changes have been made in the palm house, al-
though there have been valuable additions of certain exotic
plants, such as crotons, jacobinias, and various aroids. The
two giant bulbs of Amorphophallus Titanum, secured from
Sumatra in 1933, produced bewildering growths during the
year, increasing from a mere five inches per week in early
stages to a maximum of thirty inches per week. The shoots
are now approximately seven feet high. The plants in the
palm house, though tropical in natural habitat, suffered worse
from the devastating heat of the summer than perhaps any
other group. During August three truckloads of dead
branches were hauled from this house alone. The specimen of
Cocos flexuosa was removed during the summer owing to its
great size, and replaced by a smaller tree of the same species.
In the cyead-fern house the decorative features have been
maintained as in former years. The vigorous tropical grape
vine has festooned itself luxuriantly along the beams of the
greenhouse, sending down acrial roots in abundance, some of
them forty feet long.
The larger plants in the economic house have been pruned
back in order to permit light and air to reach the lower-grow-
ing plants beneath. This house has been supplied with a com-
plete set of new labels, attached to metal pipes instead of the
wooden standards formerly used.
4 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
Owing to the increasing public interest in desert plants and
the very considerable additions to the Garden’s collections in
recent years, the house formerly used for coffee and banana
trees was divided, the eastern half of it being used for a ‘‘South
African’’ house. The South African plants were segregated
because of the fact that the vast majority of them bloom at a
time when most American desert plants are at rest. At pres-
ent about 120 species are contained in the collection, which is
being constantly added to. The coffee and banana plantations,
always of interest to visitors, will be found in the west half of
the same house which they have occupied for many years.
Valuable donations of desert plants received during the
year from botanical institutions and private collectors number
over 400 packets of seeds and cuttings. This collection now
contains some 700 species, of which at least 100 bloomed during
the past year in the cactus house.
INDOOR FLORAL DISPLAYS
On January 27 the annual orchid show was opened to the
public. Always one of the most difficult flowers to display to
advantage, the orchids this year were shown in a succession of
white plaster aleoves opening with arches on a central court.
The alcoves were lined with cedar boughs and small groups
of plants were arranged in each alcove. These were often
replaced so that the exhibit was always at its best. The
‘‘Queen of the Show’’ may be said to have been the won-
derful blue orchid from Burma, the Vanda caerulea, blooming
here for the first time, while the ‘‘ Dancing Girl’’ was again a
favorite. Many of the mauve ‘‘Tulipans’’ and the fragrant
‘‘Plor de Mayo’’ occupied conspicuous positions. Much at-
tention was attracted by one of the Garden’s hybrids, shown
for the first time, a cross made five years ago of Brassocattleya
Fournierii and Cattleya Trianae. At the rear of the house
was a jungle representation, the plants being attached to trees
after the manner of their natural growth, and the floor covered
with terrestrial orchids, ferns, and other tropical plants.
The azalea show, opened on March 8, was arranged in infor-
mal beds to display the gorgeous masses of color of the flowers
against a background of rush fence.
PLATE 4
Mo. Bor, GARD. BULL., VoL. 23, 1935
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CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW, 1934
Mo. Bot. GARD. BULL., VoL. 23
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JAPANESE GARDEN HOUSE
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW, 1934
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 5
The Easter display of flowering bulbs was ready on March
31, the first show of this kind since 1931. The plants were ar-
ranged in a formal garden surrounding a Greek temple, with
paths of white marble stepping-stones and plots of grass. On
April 14 this garden was replaced by the various spring-flow-
ering annuals, schizanthus, annual chrysanthemums, salpi-
glossis, marguerites, ornithogalums, and the regal lilies. An-
other change was necessary early in May, when the Martha
Washington geraniums comprised the main display.
On May 19 and 20 the annual spring show of the St. Louis
Horticultural Society was held at the Garden, with its usual
successful exhibition of locally grown plants. On May 26 the
hydrangea show was installed, followed in a few weeks by a dis-
play of faney-leaved caladiums which occupied the floral dis-
play house during the remainder of the summer.
On October 4, a duplicate of the orchid bouquet carried by
the Queen of the Veiled Prophet was placed on exhibition and
maintained for nine days in an electric display refrigerator,
so that all those not fortunate enough to attend the ball might
enjoy the unrivaled beauty of this gorgeous collection of or-
chids presented each year by the Garden to the Queen.
On October 20 and 21 the St. Louis Horticultural Society
held its fall flower and dahlia show which was easily the most
successful one ever held. The ideal fall weather made possible
a display of fine plants.
In point of attendance the chrysanthemum show, which held
sway through the month of November, was the most successful
one the Garden has offered. Ideal weather conditions and fa-
vorable publicity by the press contributed to the large attend-
ance. The pool at the south end of the house was covered and
transformed into a garden. Over a wall across the center of
this garden the cascade chrysanthemums were shown and sur-
rounding these were beds of the bush varieties.
December brought the Christmas show of poinsettias, inter-
spersed with stevia and other incidental flowers to provide a
suitable and colorful background.
During the year blooming orchids were to be found always in
the alcoves of the aroid house. In August five plants of the
rare ‘‘Dove’’ or ‘‘Holy Ghost’’ orchid bloomed profusely at
6 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
the Arboretum greenhouses, for the first time in four years.
In spite of all precautions, two were burned by the excessive
summer heat. One plant, bearing twenty blooms, was sent to
the Century of Progress Exposition at Chicago where it elic-
ited great admiration from visitors and much publicity in the
press. The Garden also presented to the Century of Progress
a collection of tropical water-lilies comprising Nymphaeas and
Victoria Cruziana. These were displayed through the sum-
mer in the Italian garden near Horticultural Hall.
At the close of the various flower shows throughout the year,
such flowers as were worth while were cut and distributed by
the Book and Flower Guild to the following institutions. This
is a custom which has prevailed for many years and undoubt-
edly brings great pleasure to many who are unable to visit the
flower shows at the Garden.
Alexian Bros. Hospital
Barnard Free Skin and Cancer
Hospital
Bethesda Hospital
Blind Girls Home (scented flow-
ers only)
Central Institute for the Deaf
Children’s Home Society of Mo.
Christian Hospital
Christian Old Folks Home
Christian Orphans Home
City Hospital No. 1
City Hospital No. 2
City Infirmary
City Sanitarium
Colored Orphans Home
Deaconess Hospital
DePaul Hospital
Firmin Desloge Hospital
Frisco Hospital
Good Samaritan Altenheim
Home for the Friendless
Home of Aged and Infirm Israel-
ites
Isolation Hospital
Jewish Convalescent Home
Jewish Hospital
Kingdom House Settlement
Kirkwood Old Folks Home
Koch Tuberculosis Hospital
Little Helpers of Holy Souls
Little Sisters of the Poor
Lutheran Altenheim
Lutheran Convalescent Home
Lutheran Hospital
Marine Hospital
Masonic Home
Memorial Home
Methodist Orphans Home
Miriam Convalescent Home
Missouri Baptist Hospital
Missouri Pacific Hospital
Mother of Good Council Home
Mt. St. Rose Sanitarium
Night and Day Camp
Orthodox Jewish Old Folks
Home
Peoples Hospital
Russell Home
St. Ann’s Hospital
St. Francis Orphans Home
St. John’s Hospital
St. Joseph’s Deaf and Dumb
ome
St. Louis Children’s Hospital
St. Louis County Hospital
St. Luke’s Hospital
St. Mary’s Hospital
St. Mary’s Infirmary
Shriners Hospital for Crippled
Children
United States Veterans Hospital
No. 92
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 7
Experimental Greenhouse.—This house now contains over a
hundred varieties and species of geraniums, grown in an effort
to determine their respective values as bedding stock. In spite
of the unfavorable summer several varieties were outstanding,
and it is expected that through the continuation of the work
more satisfactory bedding stock can be developed. Over a
hundred selected varieties of gladiolus were raised and their
respective merits determined for this climate. These experi-
ments were discussed at length in the October number of the
BULLETIN. Seeds of more than a thousand species of plants,
obtained chiefly from foreign botanical gardens, have been
tested, some of which may eventually be valuable for introduc-
tion into the St. Louis region. This greenhouse also contains
the rapidly increasing collection of rhododendron seedlings,
experiments on fertilizers for orchids, experimental material
for the graduate students, as well as the plants propagated for
demonstration in the amateur gardening courses.
OUTDOOR PLANTING
Iinnean Garden.—The gradual conversion of the Linnean
garden, formerly almost entirely devoted to iris, into a peren-
nial garden has been completed this year, all thirty-two
beds having been replanted. The only new plants purchased
were a few lilies and Korean hybrid chrysanthemums. The
other material was raised from seed or cuttings, or secured by
division of plants, as, for instance, the narcissi described in the
October BULLETIN.
Rose Garden.—The soil in this garden was renewed during
the fall of 1933, and as a result the roses grew splendidly under
even the most trying weather conditions of the first half of the
summer. After the middle of August, when ample rain and
much cloudy and cool weather combined to produce perfect
conditions, this garden became one of the most beautiful spots
in St. Louis. It has been many years since such a display of
roses has been offered to the public, and many of the roses were
still in bloom in November. Insect and fungus pests thrived
with unusual vigor, and it was necessary to dust the plants a
dozen times during the season to keep the foliage free from
mildew and black spot.
8 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
Other Gardens.—The Italian garden contained an unusually
striking display of highly colored foliage plants arranged in
formal beds. The heat in this garden was extreme, far exceed-
ing any other part of the Garden, due to its western exposure
and the fact that it is enclosed on three sides by the range of
conservatories. Constant and copious watering was necessary
to keep the plants in a presentable condition. The economic
garden was maintained as in former years with its interesting
farm and textile crops, examples of ornamental grasses, hedge
plants, ete. The iris garden, replanted during 1933, was a
thing of unusual beauty in the spring. The peonies and glad-
iolus which followed the iris maintained interest in this section
long after the comparatively short blooming period of the iris
themselves. Much labor and material were necessary for the
improvement of the borders and beds throughout the main
garden. The ‘‘Before and After’’ gardens, originally planted
as a feature of the 1927 spring flower show, are of such never-
failing interest that they have become a permanent example of
the possibility of improving the average back-yard.
Trees and Shrubs—The growth-retarding effect of dry
weather on trees became evident in an indirect way this fall,
when the leaf-raking took place. Usually when all lawns have
been raked, a pile of leaves 120 feet long, 20 feet wide, and al-
most 10 feet high has been gathered for composting. This
year the leaf pile was but half as large. This indicates that at
no time during the summer were the trees carrying a normal
amount of foliage nor were individual leaves retained for the
normal length of time. Field notes of June 5 record the fact
that trees were then shedding leaves to lessen the rate of water
loss. Actual withering took place about July 18. On July 23
a definite program of tree watering began, the watering
needles developed at the Garden and previously described be-
ing employed. Even though six of them, attached to water
mains, were in continuous use and two more were used with the
power sprayer, only the largest and most valuable trees eould
be watered. The power sprayer pumped the water to those
trees in inaccessible places, and daily pumped between 1,200
and 3,600 gallons, depending upon local conditions. The small
trees west of the service road received 10,530 gallons of water
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 9
in four days. Immediately after watering they were mulched,
twenty-two loads of manure being required for this operation.
It is impossible to estimate the total quantity of water so used,
but it is gratifying to note that not a single valuable tree was
lost.
Throughout the season the power sprayer became the most
valuable single piece of equipment used in tree care. During
the latter part of May and until June 7, it was used to furnish
water under pressure for the tree-feeding guns. i SAC cet a ee
Moisture and Temperature Relations in Trees . . . 51
Books on Natural History in Early St: Louis . . .. 55
PAR OE Dig ge a aot Reta My Up Ea a Pee Oe
Statistical Entormation °- 30525 6h ae ye ook eo BS
ST. LOUIS, MO.
1935
Published Monthly, Except July and August, by the Board of Trustees
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE:
ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR SINGLE COPIES TEN CENTS
4 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS WERE DESIGNATED IN MR, SHAW’S WILL
AND THE BOARD SO CONSTITUTED, EXCLUSIVE OF THE
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, IS SELF-PERPETUATING
President
GEORGE C. HITCHCOCK
Vice-President +
SAMUEL C. DAVIS
Second Vice-President
DANIEL K. CATLIN
L, RAY Carrer nae Na ay _ Apert T. PERKINS
Tuomas S. MAFFITT the EUGENE PETTUS ©
GEORGE _T. Moore | ErHAn A. -H. SHEPLEY
FRED G. ZEIBIG
EX-OFFICIO. MEMBERS
GEORGE R. THROOP, WILLIAM SCARLETT,
Chancellor of Washington Uni- Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri
versity
BERNARD F’, DICKMANN, RospertT J. TERRY,
Mayor of the City of St. Louis President of The Academy of Sci-
ence of St. Louis
SOLON CAMERON
President of the Board of Education of St, Louis
Secretary
GERALD E. ULRICI
Missouri Botanical
Garden Bulletin
Vol. XXIII MARCH, 1935 No. 3
GARDENING AS A HOBBY
Some time ago there came to Shaw’s Garden a letter from a
street-car conductor in England, who wrote: ‘‘I am a young
man whose hobby is gardening and I was very interested in
your wonderful discovery of the lost African lily, an account
of which I saw in our local paper.’’ After asking if it would
be possible to secure one of these plants, he continued: ‘‘ All the
young men here seem to be mad about sports and horse racing
and the more wonderful things of nature never appeal to
them’’; showing how sincere this young Englishman was in his
love for plants.
While there is ‘‘a pleasure in being mad which only madmen
know’’ and there are many kinds of hobbies which seem a mild
form of insanity to all those who are interested in some other
sort of madness, it will readily be admitted, at least by those
who love gardening, that their particular interest in plants is
more sane and far superior.
In the first place, it is cheap. Though even the tiniest of
backyards be not available, a few tin cans filled with soil may
bring to the flower lover the thrill that only comes from doing
a thing because you want to, and not because you have to.
In the second place, you get something for your money. No
one who pursues gardening because he loves it—who, when he
prepares the soil says to himself: ‘‘When the roots begin to
taste this earth they’ll be mighty glad they came to my gar-
(49)
50 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
den’’—but gets more out of his hobby than he puts into it. All
the exercise and fresh air that comes with outdoor sport, the
adventure of the Arctic explorer, the thrill of the big game
hunter, the joy of discovery of the collector, may be combined
in raising from seed some little-known plant that has not
previously been cultivated. With what pride a dirt gardener
displays his conquests; how and where he got the seed; his
failures; what he finally did that brought suecess—a tale he
never tires of telling to those who must or care to listen—just
like any other hobby rider.
No hobby need be useful, but it makes it none the less at-
tractive should it happen to combine pleasure and profit. 149
By Transfer—
Cutak, Ladislaus—Plants of horticulture............. 4
By Field Work—
Allen, Paul H.—Plants of Panama and the Canal Zone
collected by Paul H. Allen and A. A. Hunter........ 6,000+
Lodewyks, Maude C.—Plants of Missouri and Arkansas 253
MOURL. 0. ey
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS WERE DESIGNATED IN MR. SHAW’S WILL
AND THE BOARD SO CONSTITUTED, EXCLUSIVE OF THE
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, IS SELF-PERPETUATING
.
*
President
i BT A a} GEORGE C. HITCHCOCK
Vice-President
DANIEL K, CATLIN
Second Vice-President
ALBERT T. PERKINS
L. RAY GARTER GEORGE T. Moore
e SAMUEL C. Davis EUGENE PETTUS
THOMAS S. MAFFITT ETHAN A. H. SHEPLEY
e.% FRED G. ZEIBIG
EX-OFFICIO. MEMBERS
GEoRGE R. THROOP, WILLIAM SCARLETT,
Chancellor of Washington Uni- Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri
versity
BERNARD F. DICKMANN, Rospert J. TERRY,
Mayor of the City of St. Louis President of The Academy of Sci-
ence of St. Louis
ere SoLON CAMERON
4 - President of the Board of Education of St. Louis
Secretary
GERALD E. ULRICI
GROWING SUCCULENTS FROM
9
Oo.
1. Materials needed; 2. Seedlings appearing;
choé seedlings ready for potting.
Seedlings
SEED
ready
for
transplanting ;
4.
Kalan-
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61
Missouri Botanical
Garden Bulletin
Vol. XXIII SEPTEMBER, 1935 No. 7
CULTURE OF SUCCULENTS IN THE MIDWEST
Although there is an increasing interest in succulents
throughout the Middle West, no satisfactory work on their
culture in this region has been published, and this article has
been compiled from the writer’s notes and observations in the
hope that it will aid those attempting to grow these interesting
plants. In its early days the Garden possessed the finest and
most important collection of succulents in this country. Now
two plant houses are devoted to their display, and thousands
of visitors find great interest in the diversity and grotesqueness
of their forms.
Before going any further, it might be well to explain the
term “‘succulents.’’ It is generally applied to those plants
possessing fleshy or thickened leaves and stalks, and that are
structurally adapted to live for prolonged periods without
water. Under this group several thousand plants are listed
belonging to various plant families, chiefly the Cactaceae,
Crassulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Liliaceae, Aizo-
aceae, and Portulacaceae. The cacti (Cactaceae) were origin-
ally confined to the New World, but have become naturalized
in other countries, in many instances crowding out the in-
digenous plants. The spurges (Euphorbiaceae) are world-
wide, but the succulent varieties are mostly native to South
Africa, Madagascar, and the East Indies. The orpines (Cras-
sulaceae), to which the sedums belong, are likewise distributed
throughout the world, in both temperate and tropical climates.
The century plants (Amaryllidaceae) are natives of America,
(107)
108 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
but the aloes (Liliaceae), which they somewhat resemble, are
of African origin.
Cacti were among the first succulents to be cultivated. Soon
after the discovery of America specimens of these picturesque
plants were brought back to Europe by the early expeditions,
and their popularity spread throughout continental Europe.
Cactus fanciers vied with each other in securing the rarest
plants, sparing no expense, and it is said that a certain horti-
cultural enthusiast paid as much as 1000 franes for one of the
smaller cacti. In America interest in desert plants seems to
wax and wane, the present rage having begun in 1929. That
their popularity is great and will persist for some time is evi-
denced by the numerous succulent societies which have re-
cently been formed and the number of publications on the
subject.
GROWING SUCCULENTS FROM SEED
One of the most fascinating phases of the culture of plants
is growing them from seed, and this is especially true of suc-
eulents. Of course, great patience is required for this work,
but the plants raised from seed are much healthier and better-
appearing than the mature plants taken from the desert which
are foreed to adapt themselves to unnatural surroundings.
Then, too, the wanton despoilation of our deserts by the self-
styled ‘‘collectors,’’ has made it necessary to adopt measures
restricting collecting of the desert flora. Quarantine and
other Federal restrictions also make it difficult to secure cer-
tain plants from their native homes. Apparently there is no
alternative but to grow the succulents from seed.
Even the average flat dweller can grow a good number of
seedlings in hishome. All the equipment needed is a flower con-
tainer, a piece of glass for cover, a saucer underneath to hold
water, some good drainable soil, and a package of fresh seed
(pl. 19, fig. 1). Seeds of various succulents are now readily
obtainable from dealers in this country and abroad, at very
moderate prices. Fresh, thoroughly matured seed is of the
utmost importance for good and quick germination, and only
reliable seed firms should be patronized. If a large quantity
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 109
of seed. is available, it may be planted at different times. The
writer has found that the spring months are best for seed plant-
ing, although any month of the year will bring fairly good
results provided a temperature of 70° F. and above is main-
tained. In the Midwest seedlings will be more apt to ‘*damp-
off”’ in the winter than in spring and summer. As a container
a seed pan is generally used, but for small plantings the ordi-
nary porous four-inch pot is preferable. Care should be taken
that it be clean, as a dirty pot might contaminate the young
seedlings. Necessary drainage can be provided by a generous
use of broken pottery or coarse gravel in the bottom of the con-
tainer. On top of this sift porous soil made up of equal parts
of garden loam, well-decomposed leaf mold, and sand, to within
an inch of the rim, and press the soil down lightly.
Since the seed of most succulents is very small, care should
be taken that the soil cover be no deeper than the size of the
seed itself. The tiny seeds may be scattered lightly over the
soil, but the larger ones should be sown evenly in rows. (Seeds
of the prickly pears, Opuntias, which are quite large and have
a hard outer coat, should be rubbed between two pieces of
sandpaper to facilitate quicker germination.) Next, fill saucer
with water and place the seed pan in it. As soon as the sur-
face of the soil shows moisture, empty the water from the
saucer, press the soil down again (though very lightly), and
scatter a thin layer of fine gravel on top. This last is im-
portant, as it helps in retaining moisture and likewise in sup-
porting the tiny seedlings. Finally, place glass cover over
the top, and set the pot in a well-lighted window. At this stage
and even after germination never permit the seed pan to dry
out, and ventilate occasionally by removing glass cover. Some
varieties will develop rapidly while others may take a long
time. However, if after three months no seedlings have made
their appearance, it is advisable to dump the pot and try again.
Generally tiny little seedlings begin to push their way up
through the gravel in seven to fourteen days (pl. 19, fig. 2).
At the Garden, the writer has tested many seeds of various
succulents, over a period of years, and the average time of
germination is listed below.
110 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Agave brachystachys ........cccceccccecseesscscseees
Agave chigpendis ......ccrccccccccvcvescssssncvsnsess
Agave chloracantha ...... cece cece cece ener e eee eeees
Agave densiflora 2... cccccccseccccsecsesssccssevcesess
Agave elongata .....cccccecccececccrsccccesceseceeees
Agave Ghiesbrechtti ....... ccc cece reer n erence eeeeee
Agave Henriquesit .......ccccec cece cee cece cece eeneees
Agave horrida ...... cece cece cence eee e ree eeeeeeeee
Agave schidigera ........e ccc ce cece eee e nee eeeeeneees
Agave Victoriae-Reginae ........0.eeeee oeunise Kewanee
ASCLEPIADACEAE
Duvalia Corderoyti .....ccccccccccccccccccceeceeeseees
Dwvalia GlOGan® on csccccccscavescscasscesecsenseesans
Piaranthus cOMPtUS 2... cc cre cccnnceneececccescenecs
Stapelia conformis .......c.ceeccnrscrecececereseecaes
Stapelia Deametiana .......... cc cece recs cnencrecccees
Stapelia flavirostris ..... ccc ccc ccc cece center eeseercee
Stapelia hirsuta ........ccccevccecccececccccceseeeees
Stapelia pulchella .......cccccccccccvccrscscccevesace
Stapelia verrucosa .....ccccccccccnccenscccccscesseses
Trichocaulon meloforme .......cccce ree eeeeerneeeeenes
CaOtus CALOTIES bocce cceease en cose ee ere ee eee ews wenn
Cephalocereus Paleri ........cccccenccrcccececsseces
Cephalocereus senilis ......cccccccccccvcsceccevsecoecs
Dendrocereus nudiflorTus 1... .. ccc ccc c eer e ee eeeeereneee
Echinocereus Reichenbachiti .......00c eee eee cece tenes
Echinopsis valida ......ccscccsccccsececccsvccescusens
Hamatocactus setispinus ........ccccccccccecvevccecses
Harrisia Martinit 0.0... cc ccc cece ere ewer cece ee eeesees
Myrtillocactus geometrizans ........e eee ee cence eennees
Neobesseyd MiSSOUTIENSIS 1... 0. cece creer rns erneeeevece
Neomammillaria elongata .......0 ccc ce ccc e cece erences
Opuntia imbricata .....ccccccvcccscccsceccsesecsscess
Oreocereus Celsianus 1.2... ccc cccc ccc e cece eeeeeeeeees
Selenicereus urbanianus .......cccerccccceccceeeeceees
TrichocereusS MACTOGONUS 1.1... cece ccc ee nee eeeeeeeeees
Trichocereus Spachianus ......0.eee ce cere ec eeeceeeces
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula argyrophylla ....ccccccccrscnscncccveccesves
Crassula columnaris 1.0... ccc cee eee eee eee eeee
Crassula rosularis ...... ccc cece eee eee eee eeneee
Cotyledon orbiculata ....... cece eee e eee eee eee eeneee
Echeveria edulis ....c ccc ccc cee cee ee eee eee eee eees
Greenovid QUTED ..cevccccccceccccccccseeeeveseeeerens
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
days
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
Malanchoé Blossfeldiana -) 6.65 228 dedi ee xaavkinceenks
PRU ERNE COTO ~ 5 ora 55.5.0 paren Wiad Vesta i iva ae Rleekae een
POOH CROE DUCTS onic ces ie he dhs os le ane aw aes
OIGNCHOE ROME: 3 ost 4 50. ua moans «cw e's o1.cy's) snl evans) usd ere vice co «arena 4 Sate eter
112 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
Vuicea: Bates 66s cvsk Specie vais seas sari dene e vere awes
VALOOGY CUAUO 5 6Gk koe bd 00 dSs 56 VRS Ade OTS ae aOR Pas oie
AIZOACEAE (MESEMBRYANTHEMA)
SOPOMON DOL OOUE: od 6x55 5 004K a 0 eke SERS RSS OA Wed
Aethephyllum pinnatifidum ....... 0c ccc cece eee e eens
Argyroderma Schlechteri ....cccescccccccsccncccescses
Argyroderma testiculare ....cccccccscscccccsccscccees
Pg ee | ee ee ere eer
Fg ee er rer rrr r er errr rT err
Pe ere eee eee eee Cer e eT Te eee Te ee
Bergeranthus multiceps .....cccccccsccccncscceveccess
BO GOVGRTREE GRODIBOE 6.655566 6 ARS id ea N ee 55 hen ees
Pg re Pere eC eee Tee TT ee Te Tere eT eee
COPRCOTOCUS GOUUHOLOTUS iin ics ee ieee ECe es eee esis
Chasmatophyllum musculinum 10... cece cence ween eee
Cheiridopsis cigarettifera ......ccccsccscncncccnccsccs
Oe A ree eee are oe
Corpuseuiariag Talore ecco cis sec ccedk ev sn Pede wees eeeae
Cylindrophyllum calamiforme ....... ccc eee e eee e eee eee
Dactylopeis digttata 2.2... ccccccccccccccsvcsseseccers
Deloenerma Brunnthalert .....6ccccscccccceceescccsaes
PASAY OV OSSUMNG: 66 55 aia 5:50 40 oéao'sin see RG 54 oe ele ee
Dorotheanthus Gramineus ......cccccccccccsccccssecess
Drosanthemum brevifolium ......cccce cece eee een ecnces
Oe ee errs err rr Teer
OOD TNOIIMORE: o 5.6.0.56. 65 4655654060404 eds ORE ERNE EUS
Ve ge ee ee re
Cg ee ee ere ee eT er heer ee es eee
Fenestraria rhopalophylla .......ccccccccccscscccesces
GAD ODOUND PUD ESOONIB 66-5 8:5. 66.0. v n-4 08 ees WEG we tO 4 ae
Glottiphyllum linguiforme ...... ccc cee cece cere eeseeees
Glottiohylltmn SGU ccccicvcnessccvseseetenescnessces
FE WONOOUCTUS CPODOEE 6 6.506 66c a veh ee xed thank ene Se bees
Juttadinteria Simpsontt ...... cece ccc ccccccccscceecaes
et errr ee ere ry re er
eS ee eee eer eee eee err er ee Teer Tee Tye eee
DI GRLO CALM: COUUNTIIE 6 6.6650. o's bo lise eee dee eda e ele bi eee
Mesembryanthemum Qmoenum ........0 00 eee eee ee eeee
Mesembryanthemum Quranttacum ....cccccceccecceeccee
Mesembryanthemum Brownit 2.1... 0c cc cece ee ee eee aee
Mesembryanthemum coccineum ....... cece eee eee neces
Mesembryanthemum Haworthii ......... cece eee eens
Mottlaria WOmtlisOrms 6.66 6 iis 50 oe save sees cacawecas
NGG PM CYOTE. 8 iciiihik. 56 68 oe SO SASS Kee Reele SORES TA Ss
OCOCularid CGUIGBOENE. coo i ces esiseecasetcaeaeraeeess
| er ee errr ey Tre eer eee
Me ee eee eee er ere
Psammophora longifolia .....ccccscccsccssccccccsccces
Reemearin TOGA 666s 6 isc eadicdes es cb adeseneeeedeae nes
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 113
Sceletium anatomicum ...........ccccccccccsccccccecs 10 days
Sceletium concavum ......cccccccccccccsccsucnccovcecs 18 days
Semmanthe lacerad ...... ccc ccc cece cece cece cnccecueees 27 days
PRINODSIS COLCOTEIS fcc We see Dp hh aad pana eek ea ee 9 days
Trichocyclus ctliatua ..... ccs ccc ccessecescecusesvctens 15 days
Trichodiadema stelligerum ........0 ccc cee cc eecceeeeees 9 days
After seeds have germinated the glass cover should be re-
moved and replaced by a piece of white tissue paper to shield
the plantlets from the direct rays of the sun. Under ordinary
house conditions, watering will be required every fourth to
seventh day. As the tiny seedlings develop, give more light
gradually. It will not be necessary to transplant for a long
time, unless the seedlings become crowded and danger of
damping-off is imminent (pl. 19, fig. 3). In transplanting the
same mixture of soil can be used as for the seeds. Transplant
into flats, larger seed pans, or individual 114-inch pots, gradu-
ally shifting into larger containers as the plants require and
always allowing plenty of room (pl. 19, fig. 4). It is not
necessary to repot cactus very often; usually if kept in small
pots the danger of overwatering will be avoided.
OTHER METHODS OF PROPAGATION
In addition to propagation by seed, most of the succulents can
be multiplied vegetatively, i. e., by cuttings, by division of large
clumps, by offsets, by leaves, or by grafting. By this method
plants will attain maturity in a shorter time than when grown
from seed. Almost any portion of the stem can generally be
cut off, treated, and forced to produce new growth. All cut-
tings with a large cut surface, such as cacti and spurges, must
be placed in a dry atmosphere for a few days in order to form
a callus over the wounded section. This is important, for
unless the cuticle is healed the cut surface would be subject to
bacterial rot, which would quickly destroy the cutting. Sue-
culents with small exposed surfaces, such as the hen-and-
chicken plants (Echeveria), form a protective tissue in a few
hours. Although most cuttings can be placed directly in a
mixture of sand and soil, pure sand seems to be a better rooting
medium. Some plants will produce a vigorous root system in
a week. New shoots along the stem are a good indication that
114 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
the cutting is forming roots. Water should be applied very
sparingly or not at all until some sign of growth appears.
Cuttings of tender succulents, such as the mesembryanthe-
mums, must be shielded from the direct rays of the sun
and their exposed parts lightly sprinkled to keep them from
wilting.
Many plants, as, for instance, the Opuntias (prickly pears),
the Kalanchoés, and Bryophyllums, are naturally adapted to
vegetative propagation. The stems and fruits of most prickly
pears break off very easily and fall to the ground, where in a
short time they throw out roots and develop independently as
new plants. So strong is the principle of life in many suc-
eulent plants that they very often produce numerous tiny
plantlets all along their stems or on the margins of the leaves.
A good example of the former is Echinopsis, South American
plants of the cactus family, with long trumpet-like flowers
which open toward evening. Some of them, as LE. ELyriesia,
produce numerous offsets, either at the bottom or top of the old
plant, which readily become detached from the mother plant
and strike root in the surrounding soil. The writer has one
such specimen completely covered with these tiny plants. The
Bryophyllums are a good example of leaf propagation. Their
name, meaning ‘‘life plants,’’ was given on account of the
numerous plantlets which are produced along the margins of
the leaves (pl. 20, fig. 1). These also detach themselves easily,
cluttering the soil around the mother plant and growing inde-
pendently. Most of the ecrassulaceous plants, such as the
Sedums, Echeverias, Crassulas, Kalanchoés, and Bryophyl-
lums, can be readily propagated by leaf cuttings. Simply take
off a leaf, place it in sand or on top of the soil, keep somewhat
moist, and the baby plants will appear (pl. 20, fig. 2). Later
these can be potted as seedlings.
GRAFTING
Grafting of succulents, especially cacti, is a very simple and
interesting process resorted to for a variety of purposes, chiefly
the following. To preserve certain species that through decay
might be lost; to raise certain species that are very difficult
Mo. Bot. GARD. BULL., VOL. 23, 1935 PLATE 20
PROPAGATION OF SUCCULENTS
1. Bryophyllum plantlets produced on the margins of leaves; 2. Leaves of Eche-
veria producing young plants; 38. Aporocactus flagelliformis cleft-grafted on
Hylocereus undatus ; 4, Flat graft of Lophophora Williamsii on Cereus peruvianus.
ninenuiienaitdtlinnsnimmindiaanscauie ene
i eS = SS ee
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G
SUCCULENTS IN THE HOME
)
1. A kitchen-window garden; 2. Rectangular desert garden; 3. Miniature desert gardens.
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 115
to grow on their own root; to produce quicker growth; to in-
sure a greater number of flowers; to develop bushy and more
decorative plants or unusual novelties. Grafting is really
= SPINE
3E+ HOLDING GRAFT
IN PLACE
FROM BOTH SIDES.
i SKIN. REMOVED
Fig. 1. Illustrating the cleft graft.
SCION
F CUT HERE
Cc
Fig. 2. Illustrating the flat graft.
nothing more than the union of two separate plants growing
as one. The two plants used in grafting are known as the
stock and the scion. The stock is the plant with the roots
116 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
which supplies the nourishment to the scion, and the scion is
the plant that is inserted on the stock. Almost any of the
large-growing species of Cereus can be utilized as stock for the
smaller-growing Opuntias, the delicate-spined pinecushion
cacti (Mammillaria), and the pendulous, epiphytic Rhipsalis.
It is generally advisable to have stock at least six to twelve
inches high, otherwise a stake will be needed for support.
Grafting should be done in the hot season and care should be
taken that the two plants to be used in the operation are in a
healthy condition. There are two chief kinds of grafts, the
cleft and the flat. Cleft graft is desirable for all thin-stemmed
plants, such as the Christmas cactus, rhipsalis, and rat-tail
eactus (pl. 20, fig. 3). For the thick and globose types, as
Echinocactus, Echinopsis, and Mammillaria, the flat graft is
used (pl. 20, fig. 4). Directions for cleft grafting are simple.
A sharp clean knife should be used (some prefer razor blades).
After selecting the two plants, as, for instance, the night-
blooming cereus (Selenicereus) for stock and the Christmas
cactus (Zygocactus truncatus) for scion, eut stock to a desired
height, and make a slit at the top about an inch long. Then
cut the stem of the scion on each side to form a wedge and in-
sert into the slit of the stock. Place in a warm, somewhat moist
location, and be careful not to get any water on the cut surface.
A two- to three-jointed Christmas cactus grafted on a night-
blooming cereus grows amazingly fast and in two years should
produce a wonderful head. When using the flat graft, the
scion and stock should be of about the same diameter. Both
plants should be cut with smooth transverse cuts and the two
flat surfaces pressed firmly together and held in place by raffia
or woolen threads, as shown in the accompanying diagrams.
SEASONAL CARE
To say that succulents, especially the cacti, need no atten-
tion, isa fallacy. Even among cactus plants different cultural
methods must be applied. The greater majority are found
growing under the hottest sun and in the poorest soil where
the rainfall is very scanty ; and yet even under such conditions
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 117
the plants prosper and flower freely, for they have developed
the ability to take up and store within their bodies the moisture
which at intervals comes their way. The barrel cacti, the fish-
hooks, the pincushions, the hedgehogs, and wicked chollas are
but a few belonging to this class. They are generally very
spiny, the spiny armament acting as a shield from the scorch-
ing rays of the sun. Plants of this type are very desirable for
home culture (pl. 21, fig. 1), as they are able to withstand the
hot, dry atmosphere of our living rooms. The Christmas
cactus, the broadleafs, rhipsalis, the rat-tails, and the trailing
night-blooming cerei, are mostly epiphytic, growing with the
orchids and bromeliads upon the trunks and branches of trees
in tropical America. They require a richer soil (but very
porous) and humid surroundings, and can be grown success-
fully in any ordinary sun-room.
Cacti from the hot deserts, as the barrel cacti, must be
watered very moderately during the winter months, only at
3- to 4-week intervals and then only on clear, sunny days,
The best way to water plants in the winter is to place them
in a large vessel and allow the water to come up from below,
moistening the roots only. The Christmas cactus and similar
varieties must never be allowed to get very dry, although a
short rest period in September to October and again after
flowering is recommended. Other succulents, such as the Mes-
embryanthemums, need more water than a cactus. However,
it must be remembered that good drainage is necessary at all
times, as very few succulents will survive if their ‘‘feet’’ are
constantly wet.
All sueeulents should be given a period of rest for three or
four months during the winter, when they should be placed
in a cooler room and watered more sparingly. If kept growing
all the year around, no buds or very few will appear. Winter
months as a rule are the danger months for succulent plants,
but if proper attention is given to temperature, water, etc., no
difficulty should be experienced. All plants that have been
planted outdoors during the summer months must be brought
indoors about the first of October. Many cactus plants that
118 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
are whipped by bitter winds and covered under a blanket of
snow in the mountainous regions of the Southwest cannot en-
dure the winters of the Middle West. It isn’t the cold that
plays havoe, but the excessive dampness combined with cold.
A few years ago many department stores in the Midwest were
advertising the ‘‘ Flame Ball’’ (Ferocactus) as a hardy species
for our rock gardens, but every plant that was left outdoors
died. Sunlight is an important factor in the life of a plant,
and in order to obtain all that is possible in the winter the
plants should be placed in window recesses or near windows.
Without light plants will grow stringy, weak, and sickly, and
often this condition will lead to their death.
On clear warm days, during the month of March, all sue-
culents should be taken outdoors but must be brought in be-
fore evening. During April they ean be left on the porch, but
eareful watch must be kept for frosts. By keeping the plants
outside for part of the time, they are prepared to withstand
the intense sunlight and warmth later. Usually, during May,
plants can be set out permanently, either in rockeries, beds, or
in borders. Because of the heavy spring rains in our Middle
West, cacti and other succulents should be planted on a slope
so that excess water will readily drain off. The writer does
not recommend planting cacti directly in the ground, but
rather plunging them with their pots to within an inch of the
rim and covering the surface with gravel, limestone chats, or
other small rocks. Although plants will do better if planted
directly in the soil, the average worker will not have the time
to dig them up carefully and repot them in the fall. It should
be remembered that succulents, in order to ripen their stems,
need all the sun possible during the fall months and they
should be left outdoors until there is danger of frost. A light
frost will not bother the hardier types, and they usually may
continue outside until about the end of October in the St. Louis
area. October 1 should be used as the deadline for the tender
kinds, but if a warm spell occurs at that time (as it often does)
the plants may be left out for another week or two but a eare-
ful watch of the weather must be kept. Succulents exposed to
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 119
the sunshine, the air, and rain during the summer months will
do far better than those kept indoors and given home treatment.
GLASS-ENCLOSED DESERTS
A few years ago, glass gardens or Wardian cases were the
rage, and many artistic woodland and jungle gardens were cre-
ated in various types of glass containers. The woods and
country side were scoured for tiny plantlets, while florists and
nurserymen were besieged for the highly colored tropical
plants to be used in the miniature jungle gardens. Somehow
the use of succulent plants was generally overlooked, but the
writer has found that cacti and other fleshy-leaved plants lend
themselves admirably to this mode of culture. It is surprising
what a fine collection of tiny desert plants can be grown in just
such a manner.
There is a great variety of glass containers from which to
choose, but the most satisfactory are the 1-2-gallon drum-
shaped aquaria and the 5-gallon (or more) rectangular aquaria
(pl. 21, figs. 2 and 3). Select only those with clear glass free
from flaws, since poor glass will produce distorted images of
the plants within. For drainage, which is very important for
succulent plants, gravel or sand must be supplied to the thick-
ness of one inch at the bottom of the container. A few pieces
of charcoal are then added, and finally two to three inches of
porous soil. Care should be exercised to use only small plants,
from two to three inches high, and never to crowd them as
in woodland or jungle miniatures. After planting, the sur-
face of the soil should be covered with sand or fine gravel and
moistened lightly. Once a desert garden is planted and placed
in a well-lighted position, no care will be necessary for a long
time. Leave an inch of space between the glass cover and the
opening, so that air will have free access at all times. An ocea-
sional ‘‘sweat’’ produced by closing the opening will prove
beneficial, but if the soil seems to be saturated leave lid off until
it dries out. The soil will seldom dry out completely, but if it
does, water by hand. Experiments conducted by the writer at
the Garden, over a period of years, show that the cacti are more
120 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
suitable for growing in glass enclosures than the tender fleshy-
leaved succulents. Glass gardens planted three years ago with
cacti alone are still thriving, whereas the plants had to be re-
placed in those planted with Mesembryanthemums, Crassulas,
Aloes, ete. L. C.
NOTES
Dr. Edgar Anderson, Geneticist to the Garden, has been
elected president of the Herb Society of America.
Mr. L. P. Jensen, Manager Missouri Botanical Garden Arbo-
retum, has been reelected president of the Garden Club of
Gray Summit, Mo.
Mr. L. P. Jensen attended the meeting of the Citizens Road
Association of Missouri at the State Fair, Sedalia, Mo.,
August 5.
Dr. George T. Moore, Director of the Garden, addressed the
Garden Club of Dublin, N. H., August 20, showing some mov-
ing picture films of plant life.
Mr. A. P. Beilmann, Arboriculturist to the Garden, gave an
address before the National Shade Tree Conference, Phila-
delphia, August 28, on ‘‘The Use of Instruments in Tree
Diagnosis.”’
Mr. G. H. Pring, Superintendent of the Garden, spoke be-
fore the Rotary Club of Alton, IIl., July 31, on ‘‘Orehid Hunt-
ing in Central and South America’’; and before the Webster
Groves Home Garden Club, September 13, on ‘‘ Evergreens.’’
Dr. George W. Martin, of the State University of Iowa, and
Dr. Robert E. Woodson, Jr. and Mr. Russell J. Seibert, of the
Missouri Botanical Garden and Washington University, have
recently returned from the Republic of Panama where they
made general collections of Fungi, Ferns, and Spermatophytes
in the Canal Zone and the Provinees of Panama, Coclé, and
Chiriqui. The party made their headquarters during the
months of June, July, and August at the Tropical Station of
the Missouri Botanical Garden, Balboa, C. Z.
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 121
Recent visitors to the Garden include Prof. E. C. Volz, pro-
fessor of horticulture, Iowa State College, Ames; Dr. E. J.
Murphy, of New York University; Miss Frances Miners, in
Charge of Children’s Gardens, Brooklyn Botanic Garden,
Brooklyn, N. Y.; Dr. Ethel T. Eltinge, assistant professor of
botany, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass.; Dr. Ward
M. Sharp, assistant biologist, Division of Migratory Water
Fowl, Bureau of Biological Survey, Valentine, Nebr.; Mr. H.
McKeen Cattell, editor of Science, Garrison-on-Hudson, N. Y.;
Miss Bonnie C. Templeton, of the Los Angeles Museum,
Los Angeles, Calif.; Mr. C. H. Muller, botanical collector, and
student at the University of Illinois, Urbana; Dr. Robert
Stratton, assistant professor of botany and plant pathology,
Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, Stillwater ;
Dr. C. L. Hitchcock, assistant professor of botany, University
of Montana, Missoula; Dr. W. T. Penfound, assistant professor
of botany, Tulane University, New Orleans, La.; Prof. Carl
Skottsberg, Prefect, Botanical Garden, Goteborg, Sweden; Mr.
Edward C. Vick, horticultural editor, New York American,
Boston Advertiser, and Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.
STATISTICAL INFORMATION FOR
JUNE-AUGUST, 1935
GARDEN ATTENDANCE:
Total number of visitors in June..................... 27,357
Total number of visitors in July............cc0cceces 24,444
Total number of visitors in August.................6. 31,085
PLANT ACCESSIONS:
Total number of plants and packets of seeds donated in
PUNE: see ew ny cceshiloish Sotho eeabe eaten e all amen ete eels ic ics 77
Total number of plants and packets of seeds donated in
JOLY ks bev an 04 See i4 oe eek eee ee Wee bees 26
Total number of packets of seeds donated in August.... 21
LIBRARY ACCESSIONS:
Total number of books and pamphlets bought in June.... 25
Total number of books and pamphlets donated in June... 115
Total number of books and pamphlets bought in July.... 30
Total number of books and pamphlets donated in July... 75
Total number of books and pamphlets bought in August. . 5
Total number of books and pamphlets donated in August. 3
122 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
HERBARIUM ACCESSIONS:
JUNE
By Purchase—
Aellen, P.—Plants of Europe...................00005 470
Erichsen, C. F. E.—‘‘Lichenen insbesondere aus Schles-
wig-Holstein,” Cent. I, Nos. 1-100, inclusive.......... 100
Lundell, C. L.—Plants of British Honduras........... 55
By Gift—
Cutak, J.—Bacopa rotundifolia (Michx.) Wettst. ..... 1
Featherly, H. I.—Condalia lycioides (Gray) Weberbauer,
TIO IRIMAOUOR: 5 oo. 65609 55 05 04 19:0 09 05.004 0 ho ees 1
Gates, Frank C.—Tradescantia from Kansas.......... 6
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew—Tetramerium and Henrya
TOO BOO. 5 ose ioe Osis orb key ree essen es 9
Steyermark, J. A.—Lepidium Draba L., collected by
Oscar Petersen, from Missouri.................00085 1
By Exchange—
Gray Herbarium, Harvard University—“Plantae Exsic-
catae Grayanae,” Cent. V, Nos. 401-500, inclusive.... 100
Gray Herbarium, Harvard University—Plants of Scan-
NG. oo 5 555 5h ee ee a RAKE 56
Gray Herbarium, Harvard University—Miscellaneous
CONE «od ore ck bean cee Keddie HE SERS Cee RRS 66
New York Botanical Garden—Plants of Santo Domingo,
collected by G. Proctor Cooper III.................. AT
University of Montana by C. L. Hitchcock—Plants of
WOUIRNE 660655.05444 chs arene sae ease dae eR NE TS 100
University of Oklahoma by G. J. Goodman—Plants of
CORIGNOUNE MG TOROS: 6 5555644409 054000 400000554255 25
By Transfer—
Cutak, L.—Plants of horticulture.................0004 4
Fairburn, David C.—Plants of Horticulture........... 4
Moore, G. T.—Spiraea bella Sims from horticulture.... 3
CEL hole 5s uu6 6544 oR EO ERS POIRIER 1,048
JULY
By Purchase—
Gleason, H. A.—Plants of Brazil, collected by Boris A.
KOR sik ok wea eae oie oe 48 eal 608 wk ees wee iis 1,221
By Gift—
Barkley, F. A.—Sabatia campestris Nutt. from Oklahoma 1
Barkley, F. A. and Otto von der Au—Plants of Missouri 20
Bramsch, Helen—Pinus sp. from California........... 1
Charleston Museum, Charleston, South Carolina—Plants
OF Both Cars 66 645ce5 be vad an ieudierdcaseexes 3
Clark, O. M.—Plants of Mexico..................004. 500
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 123
Hume, H. H.—Zephyranthes from Florida............. 61
Kury, H.—Plants of Florida.........ccccccsccccccces 31
MeCart, "W. Di-—PIamte OF TOSGR vc occas dSewievasa vas 65
Stephens, J. L.—Plants of Georgia................... 7
University of Illinois by Harry J. Fuller—Aegilops
cylindrica Host. from Illinois..................00055 1
Webster Groves Nature Study Society—Plants of Kan-
BOS GAG. NOW" MORO 6 5c osi oa 6s ne eda eeaake hens 54
Weat, N.—Pilants of Florida... 2.005 is oss deevuses ess 15
By Exchange—
University of Michigan by C. L. Lundell—Plants of
Mexico and Central America................000000- 144
By Transfer—
Cutak, L.—Plants of Horticulture.................00. 4
AUGUST
By Purchase—
Porsild, Morten P.—Plants of Greenland.............. 176
By Gift—
Beal, J. M.—Alliwm of Horticulture..................-
Cornelius, Miss Ruth—Acidanthera bicolor Hochst. of
Horticulture, collected by Albert Ulrich..............
Hills, Mrs. W. A.—Plants of Horticulture.............
Kellogg, John H.—Isanthus brachiatus (L.) BSP. from
MONON ecg ts i cemeg exces eee eee eee ins
Lodewyks, Maude C.—Plants of Missouri.............. 12
Lynch, Mrs. J. T.—Habenaria ciliaris (L.) R. Br. from
APROUGOS 06 5 oc 45 5064045 4645 oo be ee
Prince, Mrs. E. Fred.—Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh.
from: Missouri: «.,.i0 «244 eee cuteness
Webster Groves Nature Study Society—Tradescantia
Sp. trom New. MexICO.,.. veces. Nema een cst © ses
Woodson, Dr. R. E., Jr.—Plants of Yucatan and Guate-
mala distributed by C. L. Lundell..................
Woodson, Dr. R. E., Jr.—Plants of New York, collected
Dy. HecHe RUSDy ociciccc crate rete enters 0's
on
De F&F Fe EF HF OF NR
By Exchange
New York Botanical Garden—Plants mostly from
Hainan, China: : <2. ws Sacks os ee ere as 353
By Transfer—
Cutak, L.—Plants of Horticulture, «arive cise sie ees o'e.s'« 1
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE GARDEN
The Missouri Botanical Garden was opened to the public by
Mr. Henry Shaw about 1860. From that date to the death of
Mr. Shaw, in 1889, the Garden was maintained under the per-
sonal direction of its founder, and while virtually a private
garden it was, except at certain stated times, always open to
the public. Although popularly known as “Shaw’s Garden”
the name Missouri Botanical Garden was designated by Mr.
Shaw as its official title and in his will or in any of his writ-
ings he specifically referred to it as the “Missouri Botanical
Garden.” By a provision of Mr. Shaw’s will the Garden passed
at his death into the hands of a Board of Trustees. The
original members of the Board were designated in the will,
and the Board so constituted, exclusive of certain ex-officio
members, is self-perpetuating. By a further provision of the
will, the immediate direction of the Garden is vested in a Di-
rector, appointed by the Board of Trustees. The Garden re-
ceives no income from city or state, but is supported entirely
from funds left by the founder.
The city Garden comprises 75 acres, where about 12,000
species of plants are growing. There is now in process of
development a tract of land of over 1,600 acres outside the city
limits which is to be devoted to (1) the propagation and grow-
ing of plants, trees, and shrubs, designed for showing either
indoors or outside, at the city Garden, thus avoiding the exist-
ing difficulties of growing plants in the city atmosphere; (2)
gradually establishing an arboretum as well as holding a cer-
tain area as a forest reservation, with the idea that possibly
at some future time this may become the new botanical garden.
The Garden is open to the public every day in the year, ex-
cept New Year’s Day and Christmas—week days from 8:00
a.m. until sunset; Sundays from 10:00 a. m. until sunset.
The main entrance to the Garden is located at Tower Grove
Avenue and Flora Place, on the Sarah car line (No. 42).
Transfer south from all intersecting lines.
STAFF
OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
THE GARDEN, 2315 TOWER GROVE AVENUE, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
GEORGE T. Moore,
Director
KATHERINE H, LEIGH, *
Assistant to the Director
HERMANN VON SCHRENK, EpGAR ANDERSON,
Pathologist Geneticist
JESSE M. GREENMAN, ROBERT E. WOODSON, JR.,
Curator of Herbarium Research Assistant
ERNEST S. REYNOLDS, DAvip C. FAIRBURN,
Physiologist Research Assistant
CARROLL W. Donce, NeELL C. HoRNER,
Mycologist Librarian and Editor of
: .. Publications
GEORGE H. PRING,
Superintendent
JOHN NOYES, Pau. A. Kou1,
Consulting Landscape Architect Floriculturist
WILLIAM F, LANGAN, JOHN H. KELLOGG,
Chief Engineer Plant Collector
JOSEPH LANGEN, August P. BEILMANN,
Assistant Engineer Aboriculturist
ARTHUR D. FORRESTER, JOSEPH CUTAK,
Plant Recorder In charge of Exotics
ALBERT PEARSON, LADISLAUS CUTAK,
Painter In charge of Succulents
THE ARBORETUM, GRAY SUMMIT, MISSOURI
Lars P. JENSEN,
Manager
Roy E. Kisseck, ; Davip MILLER,
Engineer Orchid Grower
TROPICAL STATION, BALBOA, CANAL ZONE
REPRESENTATIVE IN EUROPE
GuRNEY WILSON, F.-L. §.
Hove, Sussex, England san
~ Missouri BoTANICAL
GARDEN JBULLETIN
Vol. XXIII OCTOBER, 1935 No. 8
CONTENTS
Page
Brightening Up the Rose Garderi in Late Summer . 125
Teucrium Chamaedrys (Germander) . . . . °.. 127
A Much Maligned Tree?—The Tree of Heaven ie
thus altissima) . . . . 130
The Early History of the Tomato or Love Rts seh LOS
TR OC OR se a aN Oe Le a ee
Statistical Information .) <3.) .5 {0 aNeak ten ee
ST. LOUIS, MO,
1935
Published Monthly, Except July and August, by the Board of Trustees
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: :
ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR SINGLE COPIES TEN CENTS
ea ee BOARD OF TRUSTEES
hs OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS WERE DESIGNATED IN MR. SHAW’S WILL
AND THE BOARD SO CONSTITUTED, EXCLUSIVE OF THE
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, IS SELF-PERPETUATING
President
GEORGE C. HITCHCOCK
oe | Vice-President
srs ah, DANIEL K. CATLIN
Second Vice-President
ALBERT T. PERKINS
L. Ray CARTER GEORGE T. Moore
ira ! SAMUEL C, Davis EUGENE PETTUS
oes THOMAS S. MaFFITT ErHan A, H. SHEPLEY
F Rep G.. ZEeIrBic
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
GEORGE R. THROOP, WILLIAM SCARLETT,
Chancellor of Washington Uni- Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri
versity
BERNARD F, DICKMANN, RoBERT J. TERRY,
Mayor of the City of St. Louis President of The Academy of Sci-
ence of St. Louis
JAMES J. FITZGERALD
President of the Board of Education of St. Louis
Secretary
GERALD E. ULRICI
Mo. Bot. GARD. BULL., VOL. 23, 1935 PLATE 22
CERATOSTIGMA PLUMBAGINOIDES
(From “Botanical Magazine,” pl. 4487.)
Missouri Botanical
Garden Bulletin
Vol. XXIII OCTOBER, 1935 No. 8
BRIGHTENING UP THE ROSE GARDEN IN
LATE SUMMER
In many parts of the United States, but more particularly in
the Middle West, even the most carefully tended rose gardens
become somewhat of a problem by the first of August. Their
earlier glory has then departed ; the bloom and fragrance which
made them the center of attraction in May and June have been
succeeded by only an oceasional flower. While such a garden
may be full of interest to the true rosarian, to the average gar-
dener it seems bare and uninteresting. The obvious solution
of the problem would seem to be an interplanting of other plant
material. Though often attempted this is not as easy as it
sounds, for the rose is an aristocrat and does not combine
readily with common garden flowers. Climbing roses may form
a beautiful background for the perennial border, certain of the
wild roses may brighten up the shrub collection, but roses by
and large, a whole rose garden full of them, do not. neighbor
well with most annuals or perennials. As a result many Mid-
dle Western gardeners have despaired of having a presentable
display during the entire season, and some have even planted
their roses in a secluded corner where they might be enjoyed
at their best and yet remain inconspicuous during the late
summer.
For the past two seasons the Missouri Botanical Garden has
successfully met the problem of the rose garden by planting a
clipped hedge of germander, Teucrium Chamaedrys, around
(125)
126 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
the central bed. Its thrifty blue-green foliage has defied the
hot weather and has given an illusion of freshness and abun-
dance to the whole garden. Between the roses in the central
bed, and at other points in the rose garden, the old reliable
summer perennial, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, has been
interplanted (pl. 22). Its gentian-blue flowers have provided
a lovely foil for such roses as were in flower and have combined
attractively with the low Teucrium hedge. It has been useful
as well as beautiful, since it shades the soil between the roses
and serves as a summer mulch. As grown at the Garden the
Ceratostigma' does not flower until well into July so that the
garden during the rose season seems quite unchanged. As the
roses begin to go, the green foliage of the Ceratostigmas be-
comes more and more conspicuous, and from the first of August
until frost the soft deep blue of their flowers is the dominant
note in the rose garden.
The combination of Teucrium hedges and an interplanting
of Ceratostigma has one disadvantage. Several of the opera-
tions required to maintain these plants in excellent condition
for season after season are more easily carried on at a large
botanical garden than by the average home owner. The plant-
ing and maintenance of Teucrium hedges will be taken up in
the following article. The management of Ceratostigma in the
rose garden is a little more intricate than one might think who
knew the plant only as a hardy member of the perennial border.
Unfortunately, when left to itself it forms a thick mat which
eventually dies out in spots and which prevents hilling up
around the roses in the late fall. At the Garden the Cera-
tostigma is taken up and carried over the winter in cold-frames,
the plants being divided and reset the following April. Man-
aged in this way, the roses can be eared for during the winter
precisely as they were before. The Ceratostigma, far from
objecting to this treatment, positively thrives on it, producing
thriftier looking plants than when left to fend for itself.
Any one with a lingering prejudice against the use of other
1In many nursery catalogues, Ceratostigma will be found listed under
the name of Plumbago Larpentae.
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 127
plant material in a large rose garden should have visited the
Missouri Botanical Garden this September. The central bed,
which forms a focal point for most of the main paths of the
Lower Garden, was a sight long to be remembered. A low
circlet of germander, dark green and quietly luxuriant, in-
closed an unbroken sheet of dark blue, upon the surface of
which were borne a few ‘‘ Radiance’’ and ‘‘ Catherine Zeimet’’
roses. In spite of the heat, the planting looked cool and the
roses, germander, and Ceratostigma had the air of belonging
together. E. A.
TEUCRIUM CHAMAEDRYS (GERMANDER)
Dwarf box has never been satisfactory as an edging plant for
flower beds in the Middle West, and in the last few years
germander (Teucrium Chamaedrys) has been suggested as a
substitute for it. In 1931 the Missouri Botanical Garden se-
cured a dozen plants of Teucrium Chamaedrys from an eastern
grower, and from these plants a large stock has been propagated
for use in various formal gardens. Plants from 214-inch pots
set out in the spring and spaced eight inches apart will produce
a neat, compact hedge (pl. 23) in one season if the plants are
sheared once or twice during the summer. Teucrium is not
affected by any insects or diseases; it retains its small, glossy,
green foliage until January when a few days of zero tempera-
ture will cause the leaves to shrivel and gradually drop off. In
the spring the plants should be cut back, but the amount to cut
away will depend upon the ultimate desired size of the hedge.
In the second summer the hedge will readily attain a width and
height of eighteen inches, but it may be kept much smaller by
shearing. If only a small hedge is wanted it would be better to
shear the plants close to the ground in the spring and later trim
them to any desired height.
Teucrium is considered reliably hardy in this climate, but
what would happen in a winter when California privet is frozen
to the ground cannot be predicted. However, such winters occur
rather infrequently, so that fact should not deter any one from
128 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN
planting it. Until it has been proved that Teucrium can stand
all temperature changes, a safe procedure would consist in in-
serting a stock of cuttings in flats or boxes and storing them in
a cold-frame during the winter. Should a severe winter kill
the hedge, fresh stock would then be available for replanting
in the spring. Make the cutting about 21% inches long, and re-
move from it all the lower leaves, but retain the ones on the
upper third. If flats are used they should be filled with a mix-
ture of half sand and half soil overlaid with a layer of pure
sand. Tamp this soil and sand firmly and insert the cuttings
one inch deep, spacing them 34 of an inch apart in the row and
the rows 114 inches apart. Water the flats and set them in a
sheltered frame. Shade the cuttings for a few days and grad-
ually admit more sunlight, and always shield them from drying
winds. Cuttings may be made in the spring from the fresh
growth when it is firm (early June) and again in late August
and September, but they cannot be so successfully rooted
during the hot months of July and August. If they are made
in the fall and left in a frame during the winter they should
be protected from severe frost, but light freezing will not in-
jure them. 173
Deam, Charles C.—Plants of Indiana and Guatemala... . 46
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 159
Hilbracht, W. E.—Solanum urbanum Morong from horti-
CULEUEW i560 cen eee Wee y 405s sees Osea was 1
Field Museum of Natural History—Philibertia gracilis
D. DOT TOM APMONGGA oe soos 6s iv esiccskus saeewans 1
Fuller, Harry J.—Parryella filifolia T. & G. from the
SOULAWONE witewe seats vss cd's Red >Re Ree 1
Hetler, D. M.—Euonymus atropurpureus Jacq. from Mis-
SOUPIpeeerete rc mtetets cretete re oie wisicers) Sle hu'c: o-otyi oleila sve) te «eee tt 1
Moore, D. M.—Plants of Arkansas..............0eee0: 12
Ritchie, A. M. A.—Euonymus atropurpureus Jacq. from
DERG 66 o oo 05 50 4 as pees oo oe ba ee eee 1
Saeger, Albert—Vernonia missurica Raf.? from Missouri 1
Seibert, A. J.—Plants of Panama..............eeeeees 61
Siple, Paul—Lichens of the 2nd Byrd Antarctic Expe-
UTSON Wee tee oN aa 6S 0a wa Wes Oe 85
University of Copenhagen, Botanical Museum—Photo-
graphs of types and co-types......... 0. cece eee ees 6
Williams, L. O.—Plants of Wyoming, etc............... 57
By Exchange—
New York Botanical Garden—Photographs of types.... 186
University of California Herbarium—California Fungi,
Pete AOE TCIUBIUE ocr e ns 4b ds vb ke Rew Oe OR 115
By Transfer—
Fairburn, David—Senecio confusus Britten from horti-
WMIWEUN 6c e555 4 eek Ree ee am bese ee ewk aie aeterire rece ere 6
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE GARDEN
The Missouri Botanical Garden was opened to the public by
Mr. Henry Shaw about 1860. From that date to the death of
Mr. Shaw, in 1889, the Garden was maintained under the per-
sonal direction of its founder, and while virtually a private
garden it was, except at certain stated times, always open to
the public. Although popularly known as “Shaw’s Garden”
the name Missouri Botanical Garden was designated by Mr.
Shaw as its official title and in his will or in any of his writ-
ings he specifically referred to it as the “Missouri Botanical
Garden.” By a provision of Mr. Shaw’s will the Garden passed
at his death into the hands of a Board of Trustees. The
original members of the Board were designated in the will,
and the Board so constituted, exclusive of certain ex-officio
members, is self-perpetuating. By a further provision of the
will, the immediate direction of the Garden is vested in a Di-
rector, appointed by the Board of Trustees. The Garden re-
ceives no income from city or state, but is supported entirely
from funds left by the founder.
The city Garden comprises 75 acres, where about 12,000
species of plants are growing. There is now in process of
development a tract of land of over 1,600 acres outside the city
limits which is to be devoted to (1) the propagation and grow-
ing of plants, trees, and shrubs, designed for showing either
indoors or outside, at the city Garden, thus avoiding the exist-
ing difficulties of growing plants in the city atmosphere; (2)
gradually establishing an arboretum as well as holding a cer-
tain area as a forest reservation, with the idea that possibly
at some future time this may become the new botanical garden.
The Garden is open to the public every day in the year, ex-
cept New Year’s Day and Christmas—week days from 8:00
a. m. until sunset; Sundays from 10:00 a. m. until sunset.
The main entrance to the Garden is located at Tower Grove
Avenue and Flora Place, on the Sarah car line (No. 42).
Transfer south from all intersecting lines.
STAFF
OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
THE GARDEN, 2315 TOWER GROVE AVENUE, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
GEORGE T. Moore, »
Director
KATHERINE H. LEIGH,
Assistant to the Director
HERMANN VON SCHRENK, EpGAr ANDERSON,
Pathologist. : Geneticist.
JESSE M. GREENMAN, RoBert E. Woopson, JR.,
Curator of Herbarium Research Assistant
ERNEST S. REYNOLDs, DAvipD C. FAIRBURN,
Physiologist Research Assistant
CARROLL W. Dopcg, NELL C. HORNER,
Mycologist Librarian and Editor of
Publications
GEORGE H. PRING,
Superintendent ;
JOHN NOYES, Pauu A. Kou,
Consulting Landscape Architect Floriculturist
WILLIAM F. LANGAN, JOHN H. Keiioaa,
Chief Engineer Plant Collector
JOSEPH LANGEN, AvuGust P. BEILMANN,
Assistant Engineer Aboriculturist
ARTHUR D. FORRESTER, JOSEPH CUTAK,
Plant Recorder In charge of Exotics
ALBERT PEARSON, LADISLAUS CUTAK,
Painter In charge of Succulents
THE ARBORETUM, GRAY SUMMIT, MISSOURI
LARS P. JENSEN,
Manager
Roy E. Kissecx, DAVID MILLER,
Engineer Orchid Grower
TROPICAL STATION, BALBOA, CANAL ZONE
REPRESENTATIVE IN EUROPE
- GURNEY WILSON, F. L. S,
Hove, Sussex, England’
MlissourI BOTANICAL
GARDEN BULLETIN
Vol. XXIII DECEMBER, 1935 No. 10
CONTENTS
Sporting of the Chrysanthemum... . . .. ‘tel
A Skyscraper Greenhouse». 2. 6 60. es e168
_ Letters from Botanists of Colonial Times . . . «= 170
Winter Courses in Gardening for Amateurs . . ~- 172
Wb ee RR eS ea OR SE it te re
Statistical Information: «0 36 ea ae
Index to Illustrations of Volume XXIII... . 180
General Index to Volume XXIII 6 8 ke FE
ST. LOUIS, MO.
1935
Published. Monthly, Except July and August, by the Board of Trustees
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE:
ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR SINGLE COPIES TEN CENTS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS WERE DESIGNATED IN MR. SHAW’S WILL
AND THE BOARD SO CONSTITUTED, EXCLUSIVE OF THE
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, IS SELF-PERPETUATING
President
GEORGE C. HITCHCOCK
Vice-President
DANIEL K. CATLIN
Second Vice-President
ALBERT T. PERKINS
L. RAY CARTER GrorGE T. Moore
SAMUEL C. DAVIS EUGENE PETTUS
Tuomas 8S. MAFFITT , EtrHAN A. H. SHEPLEY
FRrep G. ZEIsic
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
GEORGE R. THROOP, WILLIAM SCARLETT,
Chancellor of Washington Uni- Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri
versity
BERNARD F.. DICKMANN, Ropert J. TERRY,
Mayor of the City of St. Louis President of The Academy of Sci-
ence of St. Louis
JAMES J. FITZGERALD
President of the Board of Education of St. Louis
Secretary
GERALD E.. ULRICI
Mo. Bot. GARD. BULL., VOL. 23, 1935 PLATE 28
CHRYSANTHEMUM “ANNA”
A branch of the Chrysanthemum ‘‘Anna” which has sported from white
to yellow. From the 1935 chrysanthemum show.
OO a ae fe ee a ie
Missouri Botanical
Garden Bulletin
Vol. XXIII DECEMBER, 1935 No. 10
SPORTING OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM
** Jean Hart’’ and ‘‘ Anna’’ are two varieties of chrysanthe-
mums, sisters surely, for they differ only in the color of their
flowers. ‘‘Anna’’ is white and ‘‘Jean Hart”’ is yellow, but in
every other way they look alike; both have single, daisy-like
flowers, tinged with red as they begin to wither, both have the
same sort of foliage and the same flowering time, and both a
certain airy poise which makes them particularly suited for
growing in hanging baskets.
In one detail of their behavior there is another and a striking
difference. Like most plants, ‘‘Jean Hart’’ comes true when
grown from cuttings or divisions. Year after year finds this
variety with but one type of flower ; solid yellow, tinged slightly
with red as itages. ‘‘Anna,’’ on the other hand, changes nearly
every year, sometimes a branch, or perhaps only a single
flower-head. The change is always from white to yellow, and
this year, as in other years, a sharp-eyed visitor to the chrysan-
themum show may be startled, looking overhead, to see a patch
of yellow blossoms in among the generally prevailing white.
It is a curious phenomenon. Why should these two sister
varieties exhibit such a feminine difference in behavior? Why
should there be in one family, so to speak, the inconstant
‘‘Anna’’ and the steadfast ‘‘Jean Hart’’? Gardeners can give
us a partial answer. Such changes they say are ‘‘sports,’’ and
it is through sporting that many new varieties originate.