No coloured representation of this magnificent plant within our knowledge has yet been published, either in this country or on the continent; but a large folio black print of it was given in Aiton’s Hortus Kewensis, along with the above specific character, and with the circumstance of its having been introduced into the British gardens by the late Dr. Fothergill, in the year 1778, from China; of which country it is a native. In England it requires the artificial heat of the tan-bed to make it flower, which it does annually, with good management, from the month of November to that of April. It requires rich earth, and in dry weather frequent waterings; when in bloom makes a very stately appearance, and is propagated pretty readily by parting the tubers of the roots. Our drawing was made from fine plants in the Hibbertian collection at Clapham last month.[Pg 133]
PLATE CCCCXXVII.
GOMPHOLOBIUM MACULATUM.
Maculated Air-pod.
CLASS X. ORDER I.
DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Ten Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx campanulatus, simplex, alte 5-fidus. Corolla papilionacea. Stigma simplex, acutum. Legumen inflatum, sphericum, uniloculare, polyspermum.