The oval-leaved Cerbera is a native of the continent of South America, in Brazil and the other provinces within the tropics; therefore, must be treated as a tender hothouse plant. It is increased by cuttings, delights most in a rich soil, and flowers in July, or August. It is said to acquire the height of ten feet, in its native clime, but, with us, it seldom attains to three; becoming a handsome, bushy shrub. The flowers have a faint smell, as have most of this natural order; the whole plant is replete with a whitish juice, of a most deleterious quality; and the wood when rubbed emits a disagreeable odour. The fruit is considered by the indians as a deadly poison against which there is no antidote. Our figure was taken from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection, Clapham. Introduced to England, (or rather cultivated about that period) says the Kew Catalogue, by Mr. Miller, in the year 1739.[Pg 354] [Illustration][Pg 357][Pg 356][Pg 355]
PLATE CCXXXII.
IXIA CAPITATA. Var. Stellata.
Bunch-flowering Ixia. Var. Star-flowered.
CLASS III. ORDER I.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 6 partita, patens æqualis. Stigmata tria, erectiusculo patula.
Blossom 6 divisions, spreading, equal. Summits three, between upright and spreading.
See Ixia reflexa, Plate XIV. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ixia foliolis ensiformibus, erectis, scapo brevioribus; floribus capitatis, confertis, pallide carneis; petalis basi stellatis.