Obs. This genus is singular in having several leaves from the same bud, on a shrubby plant.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Aspalathus foliis fasciculatis, carnosis, teretibus, glabris, apicibus setaceis; floribus capitatis, terminalibus; calycibus bracteatis.
Aspalathus with leaves bundled, fleshy, cylindrical, smooth and bristled at the point; flowers grow in heads at the end of the branches; cups with floral leaves.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Cup.
2. The Standard.
3. One of the Wings.
4. The Keel.
5. The Chives and Pointal.
6. The Chives, spread open and magnified.
7. The Pointal.
From the number of specimens in the herbarium of G. Hibbert, Esq. which we should refer to this genus; it stands fair to rival, in number of species, every other, natives of the Cape of Good Hope; with the exception of Erica, Geranium, and Protea. This species has many varieties, and we are in doubt whether this is not one from the A. carnosa, or A. pinguis of Thunberg; for although, the cup, in the one, may differ, in having the segments described as pointed; and in the other, the leaves may be rather three-sided; yet, may our plant be no more than a slight variation from either of them: but this we cannot decide without living plants of each, for dried specimens would not determine the fact.
This plant was introduced to the Hibbertian Collection, in 1800, by Mr. Niven, from the Cape. It is a tender green-house plant, grows to the height of eighteen inches, very bushy, and covers itself with flowers about July; in which month, 1803, our drawing was taken. It has hitherto put the ability of Mr. Allen, which is not often the case, to a stand for a method to propagate it; but we have hopes, as most of the species do, that it will ripen its seeds in this country.[Pg 131]
