View source for Atraphaxis

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Atraphaxis (ancient Greek name). Polygonaceae. Ornamental shrubs grown chiefly for the white or pinkish flowers produced during the summer.

Low shrubs with spiny or unarmed branches: Lvs. deciduous, short-petioled, alternate or fasciculate: fls. small, apetalous in few-fld. axillary clusters forming terminal racemes; sepals usually 5, sometimes 4, the 2 outer ones smaller and usually reflexed; stamens 8, sometimes 6; ovary superior with 2-3 styles free or connate at the base: fr. a small 2- or 3-angled achene enveloped by the enlarged inner sepals. Summer.— About 18 species in Cent, and W. Asia, Greece, and N. Afr.

These plants are of spreading habit, with usually small leaves, attractive with their numerous racemes of white or rose-colored flowers, which remain unchanged for a long time, owing to the persistent calyx.

They grow best in well-drained soil and sunny situations, but do not stand transplanting well when older. They are well adapted for planting in rockeries or on rocky slopes and are hardy North. The handsomest of the species is A. Muschketowii. Propagation is by seeds sown in spring; the seedlings are liable to rot if kept too moist, or in damp air. Increased also by greenwood cuttings under glass in early summer, and by layers. None of the species is in the American trade.

A. buxifolia, Jaub. A Spach (Polygonum crispulum, Sims). Height 1-2 ft., spineless: Lvs. obovate, crenate, dark green, ½-1 in. Long: racemes short. Transcaucasia, Turkestan. B.M. 1065.—A. frutescens, Koch (A. lanceolata, Meisn.). Height 1-2 ft., spineless: Lvs. ovate-lanceolate, glaucescent, ⅓-1 in. long: racemes loose. Caucasus, Turkestan, Siberia. L.B.C. 5:489. B.R. 3:254.—A. Muschketowii, Krassn. (A. latifolia, Koehne. Tragopyrum lanceolatum var. latifolium, Regel). Erect, 2-3 ft., spineless: Lvs. lanceolate, crenate, ¾-2 in. long: fls. white with the anthers and ovary red, ⅓ in. across in dense racemes. Turkestan. B.M. 7435. Gt. 40:1344.—A. spinosa, Linn. Height 1-2 ft., spiny: Lvs. elliptic, entire, glaucesocnt, ¼-½ in. long: racemes short; sepals usually 4 and stamens 6. 8. Russia, Orient, Siberia.
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