(from erion wool, and kephale, head, in allusion to the woolliness of mature heads). Compositae. A scarce little-known group of greenhouse shrubs, grown for their violet-white flowers and pleasantly scented leaves.

Leaves usually entire, sometimes 3-lobed, often in bunches: flowers in umbellate clusters in the only cult, species, in some others racemose; heads with white ray-flowers and purplish disk-flowers; involucre in 2 series, the outer series of 4-5 bracts. - Twenty species, all S. African, but only one seems to be grown and this is confined to fanciers' collections in Amer.

It is best grown in the temperate house in a mixture of sand and peat. Propagated by cuttings, in sand, under a bell-jar.

Africanus

Linn. Leaves opposite or tufted, silky-pubescent, about 1/2in. long) thickish, channeled: heads umbellate at the ends of the branches, the white-rayed, purple-centered heads making attractive clusters. S. Africa B.M. 833.

E. pectinifolius, Linn. An attractive yellow-flowered sort with smooth green leaves is perhaps referable to Hippia frutescens. B.M. 1855. It is known only in botanic gardens in Amer. N. Taylor