ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 6-partita, infera; petalis tribus interioribus longioribus. Stamina erecta. Capsula subovata, trialata. Semina globosa.
Blossom 6-divided, beneath; the three inner petals the longest. Chives erect. Capsule nearly egg-shaped, three-winged. Seeds globular.
See Lachenalia pendula, Pl. XLI. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Lachenalia foliis ovato-lanceolatis, plurimis; petalis equalibus, acutis, reflexis, rubro punctatis; germine pedicillato, subgloboso.
Lachenalia with leaves between egg and lance-shaped, numerous; petals equal, pointed, reflexed, and dotted with red spots; seed-bud with a foot-stalk, and roundish.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. One of the Petals, which are divided to the base, with its chive.
2. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit, natural size.
3. The same, magnified.
This curious Lachenalia, for such it must be considered, though in many parts widely different from congeners, is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and was received from thence in the year 1798, by J. Vere, Esq. of Kensington Gore; in whose collection, we believe, it is only to be found, and where our drawing was taken in the month of June 1801. It is a tender bulb, and requires a considerable degree of heat to make it flower, and does not appear to have any tendency to increase, although, Mr. Anderson informs us, he has tried it in various situations and soils to that end.[Pg 23]