Evening star., 1938-09-10
Odd Plants
Grown in
Our City
Many Interesting
And Rare Types
May Be Noted.
BY BLANCHE SYFRET
MCKNIGHT.


MCKNIGHT.
EANC1ERS of strange plant life do
not have to journey to foreign
lands to see unusual flowers and
blooming shrubs and vines. Right
here in the Nations Capital are
some rare specimens gathered from
the four corners of the globe. From
early spring through late summer
and winter there is always some
curious plant blooming in Uncle
Sans Botanic Gardens and in the
greenhouses of the Department of
Agriculture.
Fortunately for the gardener who
has the desire for the out-of- the
ordinary specimens, not a few of
these plants may be raised by the
amateur. Much patience is required,
however, in raising these plant
curiosities, and while the majority
OF them must be cultivated under
glass, there are few that thrive
out OF doors, especially during the
spring and summer months.
Not only do these remarkable gifts
OF Mother Nature lend variety and
individuality to ones garden, but in
addition they frequently serve
another distinct purpose.
For instance, If one wishes shade
for a veranda, or a vine-covered
pergola, there is nothing that grows
faster than the outdoor macrophylla,
the flowers of which are peculiar in
shape, giving rise to the popular
name, the Dutchman's Pipe. For
covering unsightly outbuildings. it
has no equal, due to its heavy
foliage and adaptability to any
situation.
The Dutchmans Pipe is member
OF very odd foreign family, mostly
woody climbers, remarkable for their
curious and strong-scented flowers.
This particular species, however, Is
indigenous to the United States, but
the flowers are inconspicuous as
compared with the tropical species.
The macrophylla produces good
seed, and this seems to be the only
way to increase it, as hardwood
cuttings do not root easily.
A THOUGH member of the
same family as the Dutchman's
Pipe. the pelican flower" alias
Aristolochia grandif1ora of the va
riety Sturtevantii, is a native of the
West Indies, Central and South
America. 1t Is cultivated as a glass;
house oddity. The pelican flower"
hangs from its vine by short stem.
1t sometimes grows to be 18 inches
wide and % inches long and has a
slender tail about yard long. 1t
somewhat resembles pelican or
goose which has swallowed a big
fish, and some spectators say it
should be In zoo instead of
greenhouse!
Requiring several weeks to fully
mature, this curious flower remains
open only one day. The bloom is
brownish-purple In color. When
fully matured it has most fetid
odor, but this very fact helps to
preserve the life of the plant. Many
insects are attracted to it; thus they
become imprisoned and the plant
secures cross-pollination The peli-
can or goose plant Is grown from
seed and cuttings. but the latter
are best Root them in sand any
season of the year.
Another plant which halls from
South America produces beautiful
flower. highly colored and shaped
like the beak Of bird. 1t Is called
the bird of paradise plant and is
cultivated under glass, although it
is possible to start it in the garden.
4 NOTEWORTHY and lovely
specimen Is the holy ghost
plant, so called because OF the re-
semblance Of part Of the bloom to a
tiny white dove. Another name for
it is the Peristeria aleta, "Peristeria"
being a Greek word meaning dove.
The holy ghost plant comes from a
group Of stately South American
orchids and was introduced into
cultivation In this country in 1926.
Its leaves are large and strong
veined, while the gorgeous flowers
are seemingly placed at regular in
tervals on the stem, which often
grows 3 and feet high. The flowers
are cup-shaped, creamy-white, wax
like and fragrant. The part of the
bloom which resembles the dove is
found in the center of the flower
and quite often is spotted with a
deep purple.
The Peristeria eleta is started from
q tuberous bulb and chief factors in
its growth are moisture during the
growing period, the ideal location
being near water, in a temperature
Of IS to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and
a decided rest when completed. It
is possible to grow them outdoors,
in partial shade, but they have to be
taken inside during the winter.
A growing medium should consist
of two-thirds fibrous soil and one
third peat and sand in a WELL
drained pot. An additional sprink-
ling of dried COW manure is bene-
fetal, and once the plant is grow
ing freely use organic fertilizer.
Gardeners at the Department of
Agriculture greenhouses are hoping
there will be at least one holy ghost
plant to bloom this season.