ARUNDO

(origin of word doubtful; stated by some authorities to be from arundo, a reed; and others as from the Celtic arn, signifying water). Reed. O RD. Gramineæ. A very ornamental group of half or quite hardy plants, of very easy culture in ordinary garden soil, preferring damp situations. Panicle loose; calyx two-valved, unequal, many-flowered; corolla of two very unequal valves; all, except the lower and imperfect one, surrounded by a tuft of hairs. Fruit free, covered by the corolla. Arundos are very valuable either for conservatory decoration, sub*-tropical gardening, or cultivation in clumps on the turf of the flower-garden or pleasure ground, and the margins of lakes. Although well worth growing, all are inferior to their ally, the Pampas Gra . Propagated by seeds or divisions, the spring being the best time to adopt either method of increase.