Diosma, foliis oppositis, serratis, ovalibus, latissimis; floribus terminalibus, albidis, sessilibus.
Diosma with opposite leaves, sawed, oval, and very broad; flowers terminal, white, and sitting close to the branches.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Blossom complete.
2. The Chives and Pointal, with the surrounding Seed-buds and Honey-cups.
3. The Pointal, natural size, with the Empalement attached.
4. The same magnified.
5. A Seed taken from its coat.
There are few genera of plants more deserving our notice than Diosma; the fragrance of the leaves of most of the species, and the beauty of the flowers of others, has rendered them so common, (being easily propagated by cuttings) that few collections but have a number of the different species. They are all very hardy greenhouse plants, the present species excepted; this, requiring a dry situation, and rather more warmth than the rest. It was sent to the royal gardens at Kew, about the year 1791, by Mr. F. Masson, to whose industry botany stands so much indebted. Of all the Diosmas this is the highest grower, aspiring to three or four feet, or more, if encouraged; delights in peat earth, and flowers about the month of August.[Pg 134]
PLATE 33
