EPACRIS (from epi, upon, and akros, the summit; in reference to the species growing, in their native habitats, on the tops of hills). ORD. Epacrideae. A genus comprising twenty-six species of ornamental, much-branched, greenhouse shrubs, of which twenty-one are Australian, four are from new Zealand, and one from New Caledonia. Flowers axillary, usually disposed in leafy spikes; corolla tubular; calyx coloured, many-bracteate. Leaves scattered, petiolate or simple at the base. These are among the most useful of winter-flowering plants, either as decorative subjects or for cut flowers. They are, as a rule, more easily propagated and grown than Heaths, and the flowers last longer in a cut state. The young plants are obtained from cuttings in a similar way to Ericas; but, as the process takes a long time, it is advisable to purchase small plants from nurserymen who propagate in large quantities. The principal object should be to obtain strong shoots, if only a few, and get them thoroughly ripened in autumn, to flower the following winter and spring. The erect-growing varieties should be pruned hard back after flowering, about March, and kept rather close until new growth commences. When the shoots are about 1/2in. long, any repotting required should be at once seen to, using a compost of fibry peat, with the addition of one-sixth of silver sand. Efficient drainage must be secured, and the new soil made firm round the ball, which should not be broken, nor the roots disturbed by the process. Water should be with held from the roots from for a few days, light overhead syringings being sufficient. As the plants progress, more air and sun should be admitted, until about the end of July, when they may be plunged in ashes outside. Watering should be carefully performed at all times with Epacrises, as with all plants of a similar nature. A cool greenhouse, or other structure wherefrost is excluded, is a suitable position for them in winter. They will, however, bear with impunity more heat and moisture at this season than the majority of Ericas. A few of the varieties are of a natural pendent habit, and these do not require severe pruning like the others, but merely shortening back. The species of Epacris have produced a large quantity of beautiful garden forms that are in most cases, superior to the types from which they originated. All are most beautiful and useful, and may be grown on for several years, if proper attention is bestowed. EPACRIS acuminata (acuminate).* fl. few, nearly sessile in the uppermost axils; bracts and sepals rather broad, ciliate, acute, the sepals nearly one and a-quarter lines long; corolla tube about as long as the calyx; lobes obtuse, shorter than the tube. l. nearly sessile, ovate, acute or tapering to a pungent point, erect, concave, and clasping the stem at the base, spreading or recurved towards the end. h. 2ft. to 3ft. an erect, bushy shrub. SYN. EPACRIS mucronulata. EPACRIS grandiflora (large-flowered). A synonym of EPACRIS longiflora. EPACRIS impressa (flattened).* fl. varying from white to different shades of red, on very short peduncles; sepals more or less acuminate and ciliolate; bracts shorter and broader than the sepals; corolla tube varying from scarcely ?in. to fully 1/2in. long, from almost campanulate to narrow-cylindrical, always with five impressed cavities outside, alternating with the stamens immediately above the ovary. March. l. sessile, from ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate-linear, tapering into a short and rigid or longer and pungent point, narrowed, rounded, or almost cordate at the base; midribs and often lateral nerves prominent underneath. h. 2ft. to 3ft. An erect, loosely-branched shrub, sometimes flowering when 6in. high. (B. M. 3407.), EPACRIS campanulata (L. B. C. 1925), EPACRIS ceroeflora (B. M. 3243), EPACRIS nivalis (L. B. C. 1821), EPACRIS ruscifolia, and EPACRIS variabilis (L. B. C. 1816), represent forms of this species varying in colour of flower and size of leaves. EPACRIS longiflora (long-flowered).* fl. usually drooping, pedicellate; bracts acute, often decussate; sepals acutely acuminate, two lines long, or rather more; corolla tube cylindrical, often slightly curved, 1/2in. to 3/4in. long, or even more in some specimens, crimson-red, except at the end, where it is white, as well as the lobes. May and June. l. shortly petiolate or almost sessile, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, tapering to a point, rounded or cordate at the base, many-nerved. Branches straggling, usually pubescent. h. 2ft. to 4ft. An erect shrub. SYNS. EPACRIS grandiflora (B. M. 982) and EPACRIS miniata (B. R. 1845, 5). EPACRIS miniata (vermilion). A synonym of EPACRIS longiflora. EPACRIS mucronulata (mucronulate). A synonym of EPACRIS acuminata. EPACRIS obtusifolia (obtuse-leaved). fl. white, axillary, usually forming long, one-sided, leafy racemes, either almost sessile or on peduncles of above one line; corolla sometimes almost campanulate; tube shortly exceeding the calyx; lobes broad. l. oblong-elliptical, obtuse, thick, few-nerved, slightly concave, narrowed into a short petiole. h. 1ft. to 3ft. An erect shrub. (L. B. C. 292.) EPACRIS onosmaeflora (Onosma-flowered). A synonym of EPACRIS purpurascens. EPACRIS pulchella (pretty).* fl. pale red or pink, disposed along the branches on very short stalks; calyx segments equaling the tube of the corolla. May. l. rather concave, each ending in a spreading point, which is not so long as the base of the leaf. h. 1ft. to 3ft. 1804. EPACRIS purpurascens (purplish).* fl. white, or more or less tinged with red; segments of calyx acuminated, about equal in length to the tube of the corolla. January to March. l. ovate-acuminate, ending each in a recurved mucrone, which exceeds the base of the leaf. h. 2ft. to 3ft. 1803. SYN. EPACRIS onosmoeflora. (L. B. C. 237.) There is a pretty double-flowered from of this. (G. C. n. s., v. 340.) EPACRIS purpurascens. Two very attractive, double varieties are: alba, with blush-white, and nivalis, with pure white, flowers. 1883. EPACRIS rigida (rigid). fl., corolla tube broad, as long as the calyx, with five transverse thickenings inside; sepals obtuse, or rarely one or two of them almost acute. l. almost sessile, erect or spreading, ovate or ovate-oblong, very obtuse and thick. h. 1ft. to 2ft. An erect, rigid, bushy shrub. The following is a list of the best garden varieties: ARDENTISSIMA, DENSIFORA, DEVONIANA, ECLIPSE, EXONIENSIS, EXQUISITE, FIREBALL, HYACINTHIFLORA, H. ALBA, H. CANDIDISSIMA, H. CARMINATA, H. FULGENS, IGNEA, KINGHORNI, LADY ALICE PEEL, LADY PANMURE, LUCIFER, MINIATA SPLENDENS, M. GRANDIFLORA, MODEL, MONT BLANC, MRS. PYM, RAMOSA, RUBRA SUPERBA, SUNSET, THE BRIDE, VESTA, VESUVIUS, VISCOUNTESS HILL.