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Flowers in a terminal spike or thyrse; calyx tubular, more or less 3-lobed at the summit; corolla-tube slender, scarcely longer than the calyx, all half concealed by the usually showy bracts; upper corolla-segm. often enlarged and lip-like; stamen 1, with a 2-loculed anther surrounding the style; staminodia always present, usually well developed.—Thirty-eight tropical species, Asian and one Madagascar. From the ginger Hedychium differs in having broad, almost petal-like staminodia, which in Zingiber is minute or lacking. The best botanical account is by K. Schumann in Engler's Pflanzenreich, hft. 20 (1904).

Flowers in a terminal spike or thyrse; calyx tubular, more or less 3-lobed at the summit; corolla-tube slender, scarcely longer than the calyx, all half concealed by the usually showy bracts; upper corolla-segm. often enlarged and lip-like; stamen 1, with a 2-loculed anther surrounding the style; staminodia always present, usually well developed.—Thirty-eight tropical species, Asian and one Madagascar. From the ginger Hedychium differs in having broad, almost petal-like staminodia, which in Zingiber is minute or lacking. The best botanical account is by K. Schumann in Engler's Pflanzenreich, hft. 20 (1904).

Hedychiums are strong-growing plants, very ornamental, both in foliage and in flower. They are essentially fall bloomers, although they may be made to bloom more or less continuously under glass. After blooming, gradually dry off the rhizomes, and let them rest for a time. Pot them up in spring or early summer, and give them rich soil and plenty of water and an occasional supply of liquid manure. The rhizomes may be divided every two or three years. They need an abundance of water. In fact, the pots may be set half their depth in water, and H. coronarium is often immersed until only the crown is emersed. The common white-flowered species is H. coronarium. This requires warmhousc treatment for best results, although it often flowers well when plunged in a warm, half- shady place in the open. The species do not stand frost, but they may be left out in the South if well protected. The flowers are very fragrant; in fact, their odor may be too heavy for a small room.

Hedychiums are strong-growing plants, very ornamental, both in foliage and in flower. They are essentially fall bloomers, although they may be made to bloom more or less continuously under glass. After blooming, gradually dry off the rhizomes, and let them rest for a time. Pot them up in spring or early summer, and give them rich soil and plenty of water and an occasional supply of liquid manure. The rhizomes may be divided every two or three years. They need an abundance of water. In fact, the pots may be set half their depth in water, and H. coronarium is often immersed until only the crown is emersed. The common white-flowered species is H. coronarium. This requires warmhouse treatment for best results, although it often flowers well when plunged in a warm, half- shady place in the open. The species do not stand frost, but they may be left out in the South if well protected. The flowers are very fragrant; in fact, their odor may be too heavy for a small room.

 

N.Taylor.

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