Moræa, monadelphous, with a round branched scape, leaves linear-sword-shaped, stem ones spathaceous, and petals expanded nearly equal and oval.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The outer sheath of the flower.
2.The inner one.
3.The seed-bud, chives and pointal, as they stand in the flower.
4.The same magnified.
5. The monadelphous chives spread open
In vain have we turned over all the multifarious works of Jacquin, and many other publications, in search of information concerning this elegant plant: for our labour has not been rewarded with the least success. As a species, therefore, we conceive it to be entirely new; and in its generic characters, by no means destitute of botanical importance. With Moræa we have placed it, because it perhaps best agrees with that genus; yet cannot satisfactorily associate it with Moræa tricuspis (Vieussieuxia De la Roche) and its affinities. In its monadelphous stamina it approaches Sisyrinchium and Ferraria; and its flat red flowers remind us of the anomalous Ixia Chinensis[D].
Our drawing was made from the Clapham collection, about the same time that Iris Pavonia of our 364th plate was drawn. It requires the same treatment as that splendid plant, and is a native of the same country: but we fear it is not at present to be found alive in Britain.
[D] This plant, after having been arranged under the several genera, Ixia, Moræa, and Ferraria, is now established as a new genus, by the name of Pardanthus, in the second number of Annals of Botany, just published.[Pg 89]
PLATE CCCCV.
PRIMULA DENTIFLORA.