Petunia

a well known garden flower. It is a South American relative of the tobacco plant. The name petunia is Indian, signifying tobacco. There are from twelve to fifteen species, all native, from Mexico to South Brazil. They are clammy-hairy, branching herbs, with small, entire leaves. The wild flowers vary from white to a showy violet. Many other tints, as purple, lilac, and red, have been developed under cultivation. Florists have given no little attention to the development of varieties. In some of the larger strains the salver-shaped corolla is four or five inches across. The seeds are very small. They require to be planted on the surface of very fine, rich soil; otherwise they are of easy and rapid growth. They furnish an abundance of flowers from early summer until frost comes. Double flowers may be had, but at the expense of size and color.