See Gladiolus roseus, Pl. II. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Gladiolus foliis linearibus; scapo polystachio; floribus spicatis, secundis; laciniis binis lateralibus corollæ latissimis, summa erecta, tribus inferioribus dependentibus, maculatis.
Gladiolus with linear leaves; flower-stem branched; flowers grow in spikes, all from one side; the two side segments of the blossom are very broad, the top one upright, the three lower hang down, and are spotted.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The two valves of the sheath.
2. A Blossom spread open, with the Chives in their place.
3. The Pointal, one of the divisions of the summit magnified.
As a singularity among its fellows, this Gladiolus stands prominently distinct; and the uncommon and curious formation of its flowers will, undoubtedly, counterbalance, in the eye of the botanist, what they want in brilliancy of colour. It is a hardy bulb, and appears to require only the usual treatment of the hardier species of the genus. The Clapham collection is, we believe, the only one in which it is to be found in England; to which it was introduced, by Mr. Niven, in the spring of the year 1801, and where our drawing was made, this present year, in the month of March 1802.[Pg 394]
