It is impossible always to draw the line between shrubs and herbaceous plants, just as the line cannot be always marked between shrubs ,and vines. Many things that are ordinarily herbaceous occasionally become woody.

Acalypha

A genus of plants containing a number of species or varieties with richly variegated leaves. The names are in some confusion in the catalogues so that it is sometimes difficult to understand what is meant and the descriptions in the books are too brief and vague. If I identify A. wilkesiana correctly the leaves are broadly ovate and decidedly, though sometimes bluntly, acuminate, not at all cordate, but often one-sided and contorted. They are strongly and bluntly serrate, have a groundwork of coppery or bronzy green, are variegated with a light and dark shade of red, and within this red are angular flecks or mosaics of the groundwork. Sometimes a whole leaf will be bronzy reddish or greenish; in fact the diversity of color is very great. A form which may be macafeana has leaves which are sometimes almost cordate; they are broadly ovate and acuminate but not so drawn out as in the last. It may be said that they are light red blotched with bronzy crimson or the reverse, and sometimes the bronzy crimson becomes bronzy green. There is a variety cultivated here with large cordate leaves which are usually deep bronzy red, or it may be splashed with light red, or the whole leaf may be the latter color. This may be triumphans. A. marginata has green, bronzy or reddish green leaves bordered with white or pink and A. godseffiana is much like it but is glossier. A form known as bicolor compacta has green leaves bordered with yellow and A. miltoniana has similarly marked but narrower and lacerated leaves. A. hispida bears long spikes of close set carmine flowers. All are from the East Indian region and are tender, A. marginata being hardiest. These are the poor man's plants in lower Florida and there is scarcely a home here that is not brightened by some of them.

Achimenes

Rather delicate plants with large salver-shaped flowers of considerable beauty which spring from scaly tubers. They make their growth in the warm season and during winter should rest, hence it is probable that they could be grown generally over the state. They like rich soil, moisture and shelter.

Agapanthus Umbellatus, African Lily

A fine bulbous-rooted plant from the Cape region of Africa which bears umbels of handsome blue flowers in spring and early summer. I have never succeeded with it but from reports it seems to do well elsewhere in the state.

Agave, Century Plant

A large genus of striking succulents wholly from the warmer parts of America. In the north they are grown in pots and tubs and require many years to bloom but here they often blossom at four or five years. A few such as A. americana sometimes do well in sheltered places to the north limit of the state while A. sisalina is quite tender. Both are cultivated in lower Florida with A. salmiana, A. densiflora, A. macracantha, A. filifera and others. A. victoriae-reginae is a gem. The flower stems should be cut down before the bulblets ripen, otherwise one's whole garden will become overrun with young plants. They grow in pine and hammock land.

Ageratum

Plants cultivated in the north as annuals for their heads of blue or white flowers. Here they sometimes become established in grounds and take care of themselves and are usually perennial.

Alocasia

Handsome tropical Aroids which require plenty of heat, shade and moisture. A. macrorhiza and its variegated variety are much used in lower Florida for tropical effects, the former tolerating some sun; A. cuprea has lovely dark metallic leaves, rich purple beneath; A . violacea has very dark leaves tinted purple; A. sanderiana has deeply lobed leaves, white bordered and veined. They make a fine show on the walls of fern pools.

Aloe

Succulent plants of which a few species are grown in Florida. Schnabel reports that they are tender at Gainesville. A. vera is the most commonly grown species and like the rest needs a dry, sunny situation.

Alpinia

Plants belonging to the Ginger family, of which a couple of species are sometimes planted in Florida. They have ong, lanceolate leaves and terminal spikes of odd flowers. A. nutans is a tall, rank grower, sometimes fifteen feet high, with great clusters of fleshy white, yellow and orange flowers; A. mutica has white and yellow blossoms veined with brownish red. They will grow on pine land but do better on rich, moist soil. Although tropical they may be grown where sharp frost occurs.

Alternanthera

Small plants with richly variegated foliage, much used in the north for borders. Here in the lower part of the state they do fairly well in open sunshine.

Amaryllis

Nearly all the plants formerly belonging here are now placed in other genera. One species, A. belladonna, has not succeeded with Professor Nehrling at Gotha and has utterly failed with me.

Ananas, Pine Apple

The variegated variety of this is sometimes cultivated in lower Florida and is a beautiful plant.

Andropogon Schoenanthus (Lemon Grass)

Andropogon Schoenanthus (Lemon Grass) is a handsome tropical, decorative plant, forming large clumps; its leaves yield the well-known citronella oil.

Angelonia Angustifolia (Allied To The Snapdragon)

Angelonia Angustifolia (Allied To The Snapdragon) is a pretty plant with spikes of purplish or blue flowers. It is a native of Mexico and is becoming naturalized here. It grows on pine land but is improved by liberal feeding.

Anthurium

A genus of splendid Aroids, some of which are grown for their handsome flower spathes and others for their showy foliage. A. crassinervium, perhaps from Cuba, with immense leaves eighteen inches wide and four feet long, does finely here. A. crystallinum and A. magnificum have velvety green leaves marked with silver. A. woroqueanum has very large leaves of velvety green with lighter veins and midrib. All need heat, moisture and shade; the first, however, sometimes grows on exposed rocks. They are fine for fern pools.