SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Gladiolus foliis lanceolato ensiformibus, scapo æquantibus; scapo subtrifloro, erecto; floribus erectis; corolla ringente, laciniis acutis, undulatis, medio striatis.
Gladiolus with leaves between lance and sword-shaped, the length of the flower-stem; generally three flowers on the stem; flowers grow upright; blossom gaping, the segments pointed, waved, and streaked in the middle.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The two Sheaths of the Empalement.
2. A Flower cut open with the Chives attached.
3. The Seed-bud and Pointal, natural size, one Summit detached, magnified.
This species of Cape Gladiolus was brought to us, from Holland, about the year 1788; it is a very hardy bulb, the flowers continuing perfect more than a week, and are not easily injured either by wind or rain. But the greatest merit of this plant is, that the blossoms are only produced when most of the other species of Ixiæ, Gladioli, &c. have done flowering; which is generally about the end of July. Before the stem decays, the bulb should be taken from the pot, and dried. The increase of this plant is not great, as seldom more than two roots are produced from the old one. Our drawing was made at the Hammersmith nursery, in 1799. Willdenow has a Gladiolus from Jacquin’s Icon. Rar. under the specific title here given to this, undoubtedly not the same plant; but as our name is that by which this species is in general known, and by which it came from Holland, we have not thought fit to alter it.[Pg 449]
PLATE 111
