1. The Empalement.
2. A Floret of the ray with the seed attached, (natural size).
3. A Floret of the disk with the seed attached, (magnified).
4. The Chives and Pointal of an hermaphrodite floret.
5. The chaffy substance dividing the florets.
This elegant new species of Zinnia, is described and figured by J. A. Cavanilles, in his first volume of Spanish plants; where he says, it is a native of Mexico, South America, and was transmitted from thence to the royal gardens, where it perfected its seeds. In the year 1796, the Marchioness of Bute received it amongst many other curious seeds, from Madrid, through the medium of Professor Ortega. Being rather a tender annual, it should be sown in March, on a gentle hotbed; and transplanted into the open borders the beginning of May. The plant grows to the height of three feet or more, and makes in the months of August and September, a very considerable addition to the splendor of the flower garden. The seeds ripen freely, though the flower should be plucked before it appears decayed.[Pg 222]
PLATE 55
PLATE LVI.
ANTHOLYZA SPICATA.
Spike-flowered Antholyza.
CLASS III. ORDER I.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.