This handsome Orchis is a native of North America, and is found in all the states from Virginia as far north as Canada: it has been treated of by Ray, Morison, Gronovius, Royen, Linnæus, and others; but although so long known by name, it was not introduced to our gardens before the year 1796; having been sent that year from Philadelphia by Mr. J. Lyons, from the gardens of J. Hamilton, Esq. to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith; at whose nursery it flowered this year, in the month of July, when the drawing was made. It is a hardy herbaceous plant, thriving best in a shady border, and should be planted in a mixture of loam and peat earth. The propagation of this plant, like most of the genus, is difficult, the seeds being too small to be collected, and the root seldom producing more than one bud.[Pg 170]
PLATE 42
PLATE XLIII.
BIGNONIA LEUCOXYLON.
Oleander-flowered Trumpet Flower.
CLASS XIV. ORDER II.
DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. Two Chives longer. Seeds covered.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, erectum, cyathi-forme, quinquefidum.