1. The upper lip of the blossom, shewn in front, as cut off close to the seed-bud.
2. The same, shewing the hinder parts, with the three small claws on the border.
3. The honey-cup, which forms the lower lip of the blossom.
4. The seed-bud, chives, style, and summit, of a female hermaphrodite flower.
5. A seed-bud cut obliquely, to expose the situation character of the seeds.
6. The chives, seed-bud, shaft, and summit, of a male hermaphrodite flower.
The honour of having introduced this supremely beautiful plant, pertains to, Thomas Evans Esq. of Stepney; a gentleman to whose zeal for the introduction of new plants our stoves are of late much beholden; he having received it, amongst many others, about the year 1792 from China, where, as well as in Cochin-China, Sumatra, Java, &c. it is very commonly found. Our figure was taken, in part, from a plant which flowered at James Vere’s, Esq. Kensington Gore, last December, and partly, from one in blossom about the same time, at the Hon. Lady Archer’s, Ham Common. The Musa Coccinea grows to the height of about three, or four feet before it blows, and without question, has no rival but Strelitzea Regina in the hothouse, where its brilliancy, tends in some degree, to dispel the gloom of winter, for at least three months. It increases itself by suckers, which are thrown up in abundance from a vigorous plant; may be taken off at any time, and will arrive at a flowering size in twelve months; if planted in rich earth, and kept growing in pine heat, or on a strong hotbed.[Pg 190]
PLATE 47
PLATE XLVIII.
IXIA BULBIFERA. Var: flore luteo.
Bulb-bearing Ixia. Var: yellow-flowered.
CLASS III. ORDER I.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.