Seed-vessel. A pulpy fruit with five cells, roundish, and smooth.
Seeds, two together.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Styphelia, foliis imbricatis, sparsis, glaucis, ovato-mucronatis; floribus axillaribus, ternis.
Styphelia, with leaves tiled, scattered, bluish, egg-shaped, and sharp-pointed; flowers growing from the lower part of the leaves by threes.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Flower cut open, with the Chives remaining attached, to shew their insertion into the tube of the Blossom.
3. The Pointal, (natural size,) the Summit detached, and magnified.
4. The Honey-cup, (magnified).
The Styphelias constitute a very extended tribe of plants, indigenous only to New Holland; we are indebted to the pupil of Linnæus, the celebrated Dr. Solander, for this generic title, which, (as Dr. Smith has fairly observed) is expressive of the habit of this whole genus, having its origin in στυφελὸς, harsh, or hard; a character which seems invariable in every species that has come under our notice. The S. tubiflora, although set off by Dr. Smith, in his fourth number of New Holland Botany, with so much grace, must, (and we have no doubt of his concurrence) give place to S. triflora, which undoubtedly claims the palm from all its congeners hitherto discovered. The only specimen alive or dead, and from which our figure was taken, of this plant, which has come to our knowledge, is to be found in the extensive collection of G. Hibbert, Esq. Clapham-common; from whose exertions the exotic collections of this kingdom, are likely to acquire such considerable additions.
The S. triflora was raised from seed at Clapham in 1796, but did not flower till this year, in the month of June, continuing in blossom through July, and part of August. It grows to the height of near three feet, branching but little; the whole stem being hid by the leaves. Mr. Allen the gardener, to whose kind communications we are much indebted, informs us he has kept it in peat earth, and that he thinks it is to be raised by cuttings.[Pg 288]
PLATE 72