Stem shrubby, upright, a foot or more high; branches slender.
Leaves by threes, linear, and obtuse, nearly flat on the upper surface, lightly furrowed beneath, and scented like musk.
Flowers mostly by threes, pendulous; footstalks coloured, with three floral leaves; blossom bell-shaped, scented, and flesh-coloured; leaflets of the cup are broadly ovate, and pressed to the blossom.
Seed-bud turban-shaped, furrowed, and furnished at the base with honey-bearing nectaries.
Native of the Cape of Good Hope.
Flowers from the month of May till August.
REFERENCE.
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1. The Empalement magnified. 2. A Blossom. 3. A Chive magnified. 4. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified. 5. Seed-bud magnified. 6. Branch of a small variety. |
Several species of the Ericæ are fragrant in the flowers; but not any that we know of possess a scented foliage, except the one now figured, whose leaves emit a delicate odour resembling musk; and very few references to scent will, we think, be found so unequivocal; if the ends of the branches are gently rubbed, or lightly passed through the hands, the fragrance is stronger. First raised at the Clapham Gardens in 1805, and at present, we believe, in few collections; but will doubtless soon find a place in many, as its flowers are handsome, fragrant, and remain during the summer months; and the perfume of its leaves lasts all the year.[Pg 131]