=AGASTACHYS= (from _agastos_, admirable, and _stachys_, a spike). ORD. _Proteaceæ_. A greenhouse evergreen shrub, with four sepalled apetalous flowers, which are disposed in numerous spikes. It thrives in a compost of equal parts loam, sand, and peat. Cuttings of ripened wood will strike in sandy soil under a glass, in a cool house.
=A. odorata= (fragrant).* _fl._ pale yellow, sweet scented, crowded; spikes 4in. to 5in. long. April. _l._ bluntly lanceolate, sub-sessile, thickish, about 2in. long. _h._ about 3ft. New Holland, 1826.
=AGATHÃA= (from _agathos_, excellent; in reference to the beauty of the flowers). ORD. _Compositæ_. Allied to _Cineraria_, and requiring the same greenhouse treatment. It makes a very pretty object for summer decoration in the flower garden. Young cuttings root freely, in a gentle heat, at all times; and the plant may be had in bloom all the year round.
=A. cÅlestis= (sky-blue).* _fl.-heads_ blue; peduncle one-headed. June. _l._ opposite, ovate, naked. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1753. Herbaceous perennial. See Fig. 40.
[Illustration: FIG. 40. AGATHÃA CÅLESTIS.]
=AGATHA ROSE.= _See_ =Rosa gallica Agatha=.
=AGATHOPHYLLUM= (from _agathos_, pleasant, and _phyllon_, a leaf; referring to the pleasant clove-like smell of the leaf). Madagascar Nutmeg. ORD. _Lauraceæ_. A stove evergreen tree, of economic value only, having the fruit enclosed by the persistent calyx; thriving in peat and light rich loam. Of easy propagation by cuttings in sand, with a moderate bottom heat.
=A. aromaticum= (aromatic). _fl._ white. _l._ stalked, alternate, obovate, obtuse, leathery, entire, smooth. _h._ 30ft. Madagascar, 1823.
=AGATHOSMA= (from _agathos_, pleasant, and _osme_, smell; the plants contained in this genus have a pleasant smell). SYNS. _Bucco_, _Dichosma_. ORD. _Rutaceæ_. Beautiful small heath-like greenhouse shrubs, from the Cape of Good Hope. Flowers in terminal heads, or umbels; petals five, divided, with long claws, and scattered, short, narrow leaves, usually with revolute edges. They are of easy culture, thriving best in a mixture of sand and peat, with the addition of a little turfy loam. Young cuttings will strike root freely in a pot of sand, under a bell glass, in a cool house. They require to be shaded somewhat in the summer. Winter temperature, 40deg. to 45deg. About forty-six species are known.