APONOGETON (from apon, Celtic for water, and geiton, neighbour; alluding to the habitat of these plants). ORD. Naiadaceae. Very ornamental aquatic perennials. There are several species, but APONOGETON distachyon is superior to the others. This species may be cultivated in small tanks or aquaria; it delights in an abundance of light and air, and is perfectly hardy, having become naturalised in many parts of the country. Pot the plants in rich sandy loam and rotten cow manure, using, of course, small pots, if the vessel in which it is to be grown is restricted. When introducing it to large tanks or lakes, commence with strong, previously well-established plants, in large pots, breaking the latter when the plants are immersed. Place them in positions where the water is about 1ft. 6in. to 2ft. deep; they will then rapidly increase by offsets and seeds, and, when established, will flower nearly all the year round. The other kinds will thrive with the same treatment; but they are neither so hardy nor so vigorous, and should only be grown in small tanks or aquaria. This genus comprises about a score species of stove, greenhouse, or half-hardy, scapigerous, submerged, aquatic herbs, inhabiting tropical and temperate Asia and Africa, and Australia. Flowers white, or rarely pink or violet, hermaphrodite, spicate; perianth segments (or bracts) two or three, rarely one or wanting, petaloid; spikes solitary or twin, sessile at the apex of the scape. Leaves long-petiolate, oblong or linear, erect or swimming. APONOGETON angustifolium (narrow-leaved). fl. white. July. Cape of Good Hope, 1788. Half hardy. APONOGETON distachyon (two-spiked).* Cape Pond Weed; Winter Hawthorn. fl. with a delicious Hawthorn-like perfume; petals none; bracts, or showy portion oval, entire, white; anthers purple-brown; scape two-spiked, each spike being from 2in. to 4in. long. l. oblong-lanceolate, entire, bright green, on long stalks, floating. Cape of Good Hope, 1788. APONOGETON distachyon roseus (rosy). A charming variety, having rosy-tinted flowers. 1885. APONOGETON monostachyon (simple-spiked). fl. pink. September. h. 1ft. East Indies, 1803. Stove species. Rare. APONOGETON spathaceum junceum (Rush-like).* A very pretty, but rare, half-hardy aquatic plant, with the forked inflorescence having both bracts and flowers suffused with a delicate blush colour. l. Rush-like, standing clear up out of the water. South Africa, 1879.