Daphne, pedunculus axillaribus, bifloris; foliis obovatis, nitidis.
Spurge-laurel, the fruit stalks growing from the base of the leaves, with two flowers each; leaves inversely egg-shaped, and shining.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower cut open, to shew the situation of the Chives.
2. The Pointal, (natural size).
3. A ripe Seed.
Tournefort in his Voyage to the Levant, Vol. III. has described this plant under the name of, Thymelæa Pontica Citrei foliis; Dr. P. Pallas in his Flora Rossica, has likewise figured and described it, under the title it bears in the Sp. Plan. p. 511; from both of whom we learn, that it is a native of the coast of the Black Sea, and therefore perfectly hardy, at least sufficiently so to endure our climate. It is the handsomest in foliage of any species of the genus, having, like most of them, fragrant flowers; which begin to shew themselves with the first budding of the plant in spring, about the first week in March. Like our common Spurge-laurel it delights in shade, making a pretty evergreen shrub, about two feet in height; and grows best in a light loamy soil. Although this plant has been long known by name, it had not been seen in England till 1795, a year subsequent to its being sent in seeds to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith. It flowered for the first time here, in 1798; but our drawing was not made till this year, about the middle of April. It is propagated by the seed, or cuttings.[Pg 297]
PLATE 73
