SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Gnidia foliis ovatis, oppositis, concavis, tomentosis; floribus terminalibus, tomentosis.
Gnidia with egg-shaped, opposite, concave, downy leaves; flowers terminate the branches, and are downy.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower complete.
2. The Blossom spread open, with the Chives in their place.
3. The same, magnified.
4. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit.
The Opposite-leaved Gnidia is from the Cape of Good Hope, and must be treated as a tender greenhouse or dry stove plant; as, but a little excess of wet, in the winter, is sure to destroy it; even in summer, much rain, if it is exposed to it for a few days, will overwhelm it. The Kew Catalogue mentions this species to have been introduced in the year 1788, by Mr. F. Masson. The plant grows to the height of three feet, with a very slender stem, and, often, loses most of its leaves to a considerable height from the earth, which gives it rather a disagreeable appearance towards the lower part. A mixture of two-thirds loam, and one of sandy peat, is a soil it most approves. It is increased by cuttings, made in the month of April, from the tender shoots. Our figure was taken in July, from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection.[Pg 330]
