Although this species of Gladiolus is as old in our gardens as, almost any, we have; yet, it is not much known, from the unfrequency of its flowering, of which there is no certainty. The best method to assist it with a vigorous growth, is to place it in a considerable degree of warmth, such as the heat of the hot-house, the pot being kept in a pan, with water. With this assistance, it may be made to flower, sometimes, about the end of May. It is a very hardy bulb, in what regards the root, and its preservation. Our figure was made in May, 1800, from a plant which had been treated in the above manner, at the Hammersmith nursery.[Pg 306]
PLATE CCXX.
MASSONIA SCABRA.
Rough-leaved Massonia.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla infera, limbo 6-partito. Filamenta collo tubi imposita. Capsula 3-alata, 3 locularis, polysperma.
Blossom beneath, border 6-divided. Threads placed on the neck of the tube. Capsule 3-winged, 3 celled, many-seeded.
See Massonia violacea, Pl. 46. Vol. I.