TIGRIDIA Conchiflora.

Yellow-flowered Tigridia.

Class and Order.—Triandria Monogynia.

Syn. Tigridia Conchiflora. Sweet's B. F. G. t. 128.

Root bulbous—stem radical, angular—leaves alternate, broadly lanceolate, plicate, inflated at the base, dark green, two sheathing spathes at the base of the corolla, ovate, lanceolate—corolla bright orange, slightly tinted with a redder shade on the margin of the petals, base spotted with dark crimson—petals six, three outer petals broadly ovate, acute, base concave, three inner ones smaller, panduriform—stamens three—filaments united—anthers oblong—style longer than the stamens—stigma divided into three parts, each bifid.

This is one of the most splendid plants which has been introduced into this country. It is a native of Mexico, and was brought thence by Mr. Bullock, in 1824. On its first flowering here, it was considered a variety only of T. pavonia, but upon careful examination they appeared to be perfectly distinct. This is satisfactorily proved by Mr. Sweet, in his B. F. G. p. 128. The bulbs may be planted early in the spring in light sandy soil, and placed in a green-house or frame, as it facilitates their flowering: when the weather permits, the roots should be taken out of the pots and put into the open air, in a warm sheltered situation, where they will make a brilliant appearance for a considerable time—when they have done flowering, the roots require to be taken up and kept dry during the winter. The only species with which we are yet acquainted, besides the one figured, is T. pavonia.

Pl. 41.

Plate 42. Colchicum Byzantinum.
Drawn from Nature by M.R. Engraved by R. Havell Jun^r.

COLCHICUM Byzantinum.

Broad-leaved Meadow Saffron.

Class and Order.—Hexandria Trigynia.

Syn.	Colchicum byzantinum.	Bot. Mag. pl. 1122.
—	Colchicum byzantinum.	Sweet's Hort. Brit. p. 539.

Root bulbous, very large—scape radical, many flowered—corolla lilac pink—tube long, petals six, ob-ovate, spreading, strongly nerved at the back of each petal, tipped with a deeper color—stamens six, three longer than the others—filaments inserted in the base of the petals—anthers bright yellow—styles three, longer than the stamens—leaves radical, very large, broadly lanceolate, plicate, smooth, appearing after the flowers decay.

There cannot be a greater ornament to the flower garden in the autumnal months than the C. byzantinum, which is the finest species of the genus. We learn from the Bot. Mag. that, in 1598, bulbs of this plant were received by Clusius, at Vienna, from Constantinople, but it was not until 1629 that it was introduced into this country. It is a native of the Levant, and is perfectly hardy, not requiring any particular mode of treatment, except being planted in a light soil, mixed with bog. The flowers appear about September, but the leaves, which are the largest of any of the species, do not arrive at maturity until the following spring. The C. autumnale is famed for its medicinal properties. This is not a numerous genus; the most desirable species are

C. crociflorum.
— autumnale.
— var. white.
— variegatum.

Pl. 42.

Plate 43. Helianthus atrorubens.
Drawn from Nature by M.R. Engraved by R. Havell Jun^r.

HELIANTHUS Atrorubens.

Dark-eyed Sunflower.

Class and Order.—Syngenesia Polygamia Frustrania.

Syn.	Helianthus atrorubens.	Pursh Flo. N. A. vol. 2, p. 573.
—	Helianthus atrorubens.	Bot. Mag. pl. 2668.

Root fibrous—stem tall, erect, branching—radical leaves very large, broadly lanceolate, margins dentate, nerved, of a dark green—cauline leaves sessile, opposite, ovate lanceolate, dentate acute—calyx many segments imbricate, acute—corolla dark bright yellow—radiated florets, barren dentate—florets of the disk fertile—whole plant rugose.

This is perhaps one of the most desirable species of the genus Helianthus, from the brilliancy of the colour and its moderate growth. It makes a striking appearance when planted at the back of the flower borders, and will continue in beauty to a late period in the autumn. According to Pursh it is found in the "western parts of Pennsylvania," and was introduced into this country in 1732. It will grow well in any good garden soil, and may be increased by parting the roots. There are not many species of this genus suitable for a flower garden, as they grow to such a large size, and take up so much room: the best are

H. mollis.
— multiflorus.
— diffusus.

Pl. 43.

Plate 44. Lupinus mutabilis.
Drawn from Nature by M.R. Engraved by R. Havell Jun^r.

LUPINUS Mutabilis.

Changeable-flowered Lupin.

Class and Order.—Diadelphia Decandria.

Syn.	Lupinus mutabilis.	Bot. Mag. pl. 2682.
—	Lupinus mutabilis.	Sweet's B. F. G. vol. 2, p. 130.

Root fibrous—stem suffruticose, branching, smooth—leaves on long petioles, digitate; leaflets (generally nine) oblong, mucronate—spike lateral—flowers verticillate, on short pedicels, white, changing to a beautiful purple as decay approaches—calyx two segments; upper segment erect, emarginate; lower one acute—vexillum nearly round, sides reflexed, yellow at the base—alæ broad obtuse—carina acute, enclosing the parts of fructification—stamens ten—filaments united at the base, concealing the germen—style a little longer than the stamens—stigma very small—legumen broad, margin deeply undulate, containing generally three white smooth seeds.

The genus Lupinus is now become very interesting, from the numerous fine species that have lately been introduced; none can exceed in beauty the one here figured, which possesses a peculiar attraction from its flowers being most beautiful when in a state of decay. According to the Bot. Mag. p. 2682, it was "raised from seeds received by Mr. Barclay, from Bogota, in Columbia, and communicated in flower in August 1826." There is no doubt it will soon be generally cultivated, as it bears seeds in abundance, which may be sown in good rich soil in the open ground, and the plants thus reared will flower abundantly during the summer months, and continue in beauty till destroyed by frost. It is yet uncertain whether this species be more than annual. Amongst the finest of this genus are

L. polyphyllus.	L. nootkatensis.
— canaliculatus.	— perennis.
— versicolor.	— lepidus.
— bicolor.
— leucophyllus.

Pl. 44.

Plate 45. Papaver nudicaule.
Drawn from Nature by M.R. Engraved by R. Havell Jun^r.

PAPAVER Nudicaule.

Naked-stalked Poppy.

Class and Order.—Polyandria Monogynia.

Syn.	Papaver nudicaule.	Hort. Kew. vol. 3. p. 289.
—	Papaver nudicaule.	Bot. Mag. pl. 1633.

Root fibrous—leaves radical, clustered, on long channelled petioles, pinnatifid, hairy—stem radical, naked, erect when the flower expands, hairy—flower terminal—calyx two segments, concave, deciduous—corolla very pale yellow—petals four spreading, orbicular, margins crenate—stamens numerous, inserted into the receptacle—anthers dark yellow—style cylindrical—stigma stellate.

Though this species of Papaver cannot boast of brilliancy of colour, it is nevertheless a very lovely plant from its delicacy and simplicity; and, from the continued succession of flowers, it will be found an ornamental plant to our gardens. According to the Hort. Kew. p. 289, "it is a native of Norway and Siberia, and was cultivated in 1730 by Dr. James Sherard." Numerous beautiful varieties have been raised from seed, which make a very gay appearance all through the summer and autumn, until checked by frost: these are quite hardy, and will grow in any light rich soil. The most ornamental species are

P. bracteatum.	rubro-aurantiacum.
— alpinum.	orientale.
— crocea.

Pl. 45.

Plate 46. Gladiolus Cardinalis.
Drawn from Nature by M.R. Engraved by R. Havell Jun^r.

GLADIOLUS Cardinalis.

Superb Corn-flag.

Class and Order.—Triandria Monogynia.

Syn. Gladiolus Cardinalis. Bot. Mag. t. 135.

Root bulbous—leaves radical, embracing the stem at the base, linear, lanceolate, striate—scape sometimes two feet in height, drooping, many-flowered—calyx two sheath-like segments, lanceolate, acute—corolla bright scarlet, monopetalous, campanulate, tube long, limb six segments, irregular, oblong, ovate, margins undulate; three smaller segments beautifully marked with a white stripe on the centre of each—stamens three—filaments long, inserted in the tube of the corolla—anthers oblong—style longer than the stamens—stigma divided into three parts.

It is almost impossible to give an adequate representation of the brilliant colour of this beautiful species of Gladiolus, which was introduced into this country from Holland, about the year 1789, by the gardener to the King of Naples: though generally considered a tender plant, it will be found to grow well out of doors, in a southern aspect and sheltered situation, only requiring protection in the winter to keep the roots from severe frosts. Many of the bulbs from the Cape of Good Hope, of which place this is a native, may be grown well with care and attention in the open air, and make a beautiful addition to the flower garden in the summer months. The bulbs should be planted six or eight inches deep in a rich sandy soil, in a south aspect, where they will grow strong and flower freely. The hardiest species are

G. tristis.
— byzantinus.
— communis.
— carneus.
— segetum.

Pl. 46.

Plate 47. Commelina cœlestis.
Drawn from Nature by M.R. Engraved by R. Havell Jun^r.

COMMELINA Cœlestis.

Sky-blue Commelina.

Class and Order.—Triandria Monogynia.

Syn.	Commelina Cœlestis.	Sweet's B. F. G. t. 3.
—	Commelina Cœlestis.	Rœmer et Schultz, sys. veg. v. 1. p. 533.
—	Commelina Cœlestis.	Wild Enumer, vol. 1. p. 61.

Root tuberous, fasciculated, fusiform—stem erect, branching—leaves smooth, ovate, lanceolate, striate, margins undulate, base concave, sheathing the stem, fringed on one side with a line of hairs—peduncle pubescent—flower terminal—involucrum cordate, acute, enclosing two or more flowers—pedicel smooth, very short—calyx three segments, alternate with the petals—corolla bright blue—petals three, equal, ovate, margins undulate—nectaries three, erect—stamens three—filaments recurved—anthers sagittate—style longer than the stamens—stigma very small.

Though this plant is frequently confused with C. tuberosa it is proved to be decidedly distinct, Mr. Sweet having obligingly informed the author that he has carefully compared the two species, and thus confirmed the opinions of Rœmer et Schultz, and other botanists on the Continent, where the distinction is now generally adopted. This species, which has a larger and lighter coloured flower, longer and narrower leaves, than C. tuberosa, is a native of Mexico, and was introduced into this country in 1813: it has been generally treated as a green-house plant, but it will grow perfectly well in the open air, though from the fleshy nature of the roots it is necessary to take them up in winter, and treat them in the same manner as Dahlias. C. crassifolia is the only species besides the two above mentioned, suitable for the flower garden.

Pl. 47.

Plate 48. Sternbergia lutea.
Drawn from Nature by M.R. Engraved by R. Havell Jun^r.

STERNBERGIA Lutea.

Yellow Sternbergia.

Class and Order.—Hexandria Monogynia.

Syn.	Sternbergia Lutea.	Sweet's Hort. Brit. p. 505.
—	Amaryllis Lutea.	Bot. Mag. t. 290.

Root bulbous—leaves radical, broadly linear, channelled, obtuse, dark green, lighter underneath—scape one-flowered, seven or eight inches high—spathe ovate, lanceolate—corolla yellow—six petals, oblong, obtuse, margin entire—stamens six—filaments inserted at the base of the petals—anthers oblong—style one—stigma very small—germen large.

This plant, formerly known as Amaryllis lutea, is a native of the South of Europe, and various parts of the East. Though introduced into this country as early as 1596, it is by no means common. When planted in the front of the borders it is very ornamental, particularly when exposed to a bright sun, which causes the flowers to expand. It has acquired a more interesting character, from the supposition entertained by the late Sir J. E. Smith, that it may possibly be the Lily of Scripture, to which we find such beautiful allusions in the Sacred writings. Sir J. E. S. observes, "It is natural to presume the Divine Teacher, according to his usual custom, called the attention of his hearers to some object at hand; and, as the fields of the Levant are overrun with the Amaryllis lutea, whose golden liliaceous flowers in Autumn afford one of the most brilliant and gorgeous objects in nature, the expression of 'Solomon, in all his glory, not being arrayed like one of these,' is peculiarly appropriate." It is a plant of easy cultivation, perfectly hardy, and will grow in any good garden soil. At present there are few species of this genus.

S. colchiciflora.
— Clusiana.

Pl. 48.

Transcriber's Notes:

Variations in spelling and hyphenation are retained.

Punctuation has been retained as published.

The order of the plates are as presented in the original publication.