SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Gladiolus foliis ensiformibus, utrinque attenuatis, glabris; spathis præmorsis; spicis pyramidatis; floribus imbricatis, subringentibus.
Gladiolus with sword-shaped leaves, tapered to both ends, and smooth; sheaths appear bitten at the ends; spikes pyramid-shaped; flowers tiled, a little gaping.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. Part of a leaf.
2. The two Valves of the Sheath.
3. A Blossom cut open, to shew the insertion of the Chives.
4. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summits.
This fine Gladiolus from the Cape of Good Hope, we believe, has not flowered, or is to be found, in any other collection than that of the Dowager Lady De Clifford, Paddington; where our drawing was taken in August, this year, 1803. It grows to the height of three feet; and the flowers continue to blow, from four to six at a time in succession, from the base of the spike. It is a hardy bulb, and has every appearance of being a free blower.[Pg 95]
PLATE CCCXXXVI.
ANCHUSA CAPENSIS.