[INDEX
TO THE PLANTS CONTAINED IN VOL. VI.]
[ ERRATA ET CORRIGENDA IN VOL. VI.]
Vol. VI.
of the
Botanist’s Repository
Comprising
Colour’d Engravings
of
New and Rare Plants
ONLY
With Botanical Descriptions &c.
——in——
Latin and English,
after the
Linnæan System.
by
H. Andrews
Botanical Painter Engraver, &c.
PLATE CCCLXI.
SANSEVIERA CARNEA.
Flesh-coloured Sanseviera.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla infera monopetala, tubo filiformi, limbo, 6-partito, revoluto. Stamina limbo inserta. Bacca 1-sperma.
Corolla beneath of one petal, with a thread-shaped tube, and 6-parted revolute limb. Threads inserted into the limb. Berry one seeded.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Sanseviera. Foliis distichis, lanceolato-ensiformibus, carinatis, floribus solitariis sessilibus.
Sanseviera. With leaves two-ranked, lance-sword shaped, keeled, flowers solitary, sessile.
Descriptio. Herba perennis, habitu Hemerocallidis. Radix subcarnosus, fibris longissimis subsimplicibus. Folia radicalia, subdisticha, effusa, lanceolato-ensiformia, fere pedalia, trinervia, (nervo medio carinæformi) basin imbricata et profunde caniliculata, marginibus apices versus asperiusculis. Scapus radicalis, et quasi lateralis, palmaris, suberectus, angulatus, superne carneus. Flores spicati, ascendentes, sessiles, alterni, carnei, intus pallidiores. Bracteæ ovato-acuminatæ, concavæ, carneæ, flores amplectentes. Corolla 6-partita, tubo angulato longitudine bractearum; laciniis revolutis sublanceolatis, tubo aliquo longioribus, supremâ paulo majore. Filamenta 6 æqualia, alba, basi laciniarum inserta, laciniis aliquo brevioribus. Antheræ erectæ, utrinque emarginatæ, sulphureæ. Stylus carneus, paulo declinatus, antheris vix superans. Stigma obtusum album, obsoletissime trilobatum.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A floral leaf.
2.The flower cut open, with one of the tips magnified.
3. The Pointal and Seed-bud, and the summit magnified
This new species, of Thunberg’s new genus Sanseviera, which is a branch of the Linnæan genus Aletris; was introduced into this country from China, by T. Evans, Esq. of Stepney; in the year 1792: but is still very rare. Our drawing was made from a fine plant in the collection of J. Vere, Esq. of Kensington Gore, in the month of March[A]. Mr. Anderson, his botanic gardener, informs us, he has treated it as a hothouse plant; but it will probably be found to succeed better in the greenhouse, like other Chinese plants. It is propagated by parting the roots. In habit it resembles Hemerocallis more than Sanseviera, but agrees with the generical characters of Sanseviera zeylanica. With Aletris fragrans it also agrees in many particulars; but with Aletris farinosa is quite at variance.
[A] A root of it, (lately parted from the individual here figured,) flowered at Messrs. Grimwood and Wykes’s, in February.[Pg 3]
PLATE CCCLXII.
CROCUS BIFLORUS.
Yellow-bottomed White Crocus.
CLASS III. ORDER I.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla, supera, 6-partita, subæqualis, erecto-patula, tubo longissimo subterraneo.
Corolla, above, 6-parted, nearly equal, erect-expanding, with a very long subterraneous tube.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Crocus, foliis angustissimis effusis floribus semper longe superantibus.
Crocus, with very narrow diffused leaves, which are always much higher than the flowers.
Descriptio. Radix tunicis glabris cochleariformibus. Folia, tempore florendi, longissima omnium, magisque effusa. Spathæ sæpe 2-floræ, ut in plurimis. Flores vernales, albæ, magnæ; fundo intus sordide flavo, extus aliquo olivaceo; tubo pergracili, depilato; petalis 3 exterioribus, extus tincturâ flavedinis, et purpureo elegantissime plumoso-striatis. Filamenta antheræque erectæ, luteæ. Stylus percroceus. Stigmata itidem percrocea, antheris vix superantia. Haworth’s Crocus inedit.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The outer sheath of the flower.
2.The inner.
3. The flower cut open
This beautiful Crocus is unquestionably distinct as a species, and has never been noticed by any systematic writer except Miller; who has described it accurately under the name of biflorus, in the 8th edition of his celebrated Dictionary. It is very hardy, flowers early in February, and may be readily distinguished from other Crocuses by its leaves being much longer than the flowers, at the time of flowering. When the sun shines strong, the flowers have a just perceptible fragrant scent; a circumstance very unusual in this genus; all the other species, (one we call fragrans excepted) having more or less of an unpleasant smell. It seldom produces seeds in this country, or varies in colour; but increases by the root.[Pg 5]
PLATE CCCLXIII.
POLYGALA STIPULACEA.
Stipuled Milkwort.
CLASS XVII. ORDER III.
DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Eight Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx 5-phyllus: foliolis duobus alæformibus, coloratis. Legumen obcordatura, biloculare.
Cup 5-leaved, with two of the leaves like wings, coloured. Pod inverse heart-shaped, two-celled.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Polygala. Floribus imberbibus lateralibus, caule suffruticoso, foliis ternis linearibus acutis. Willd. Sp. pl. 892.
Polygala. With beardless lateral flowers, a shrubby stem, and ternate, linear, acute leaves.
Descriptio. Suffrutex, ramulis subdivaricatis, filiformibus, elongatis, pubescentibus. Folia fasciculata, linearia, obsolete mucronata, 3-6 in singulo fasciculo; infimo latiore, breviore, stipuliforme. Flores P. Heisteriæ, at minores, axillares, solitarii, vel subinde binati; sessiles.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2.The same magnified.
3.The Keel magnified.
4.One of the wings.
5.The same magnified.
6.The Chives.
7.The same magnified.
8. The Pointal magnified
A rare Cape species recently introduced to the Hibbertian Collection, where our drawing was taken last summer. It is a greenhouse shrub of the more delicate kind; and is propagated, but not very readily, by cuttings.
In the structure of the flowers this species agrees exactly with the common Polygala Heisteria, which Linnæus originally made a distinct genus from Polygala; but afterwards united them. In keeping them distinct we think he did right; but wrong in uniting them. Our readers will have an opportunity of judging for themselves in our next number, in which will be figured a true Polygala, and another of the Heisteria family; with proper dissections of each.
Heisteria was named by Linnæus in honour of the celebrated German surgeon Heister.[Pg 7]
PLATE CCCLXIV.
IRIS PAVONIA.
The Peacock-Iris.
CLASS III. ORDER I.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 6-partita: laciniis alternis reflexis. Stigmata petaliformia.
Corolla 6-parted: with the alternate segments reflexed. The stigmas petal-shaped.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Iris. Imberbis, folio lineari glabro, scapo sub-unifloro.
Iris. Beardless, with a linear smooth leaf, and a usually one-flowered stem.
Iris Pavonia Willd. Sp. Pl. I. 238.
Jacq. Coll. Sup. p. 8, Descriptione optimâ.
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 Chives spread open.
5. The Pointal
This splendid but fugitive plant, is strikingly emblematic of the short duration of superior beauty: its flower is but the transient object of a day; and its whole life in Europe seldom exceeds a single year!
The Peacock-Iris, notwithstanding its attractions, is but imperfectly understood by the Botanists and Horticulturists of this country; for while the latter have been unsuccessful in cultivating it: some of the former have privately considered it as a new Genus: some have referred it to Iris, Morea, or Ferraria; others with more propriety to De la Roche’s Genus Vieusseuxia; and the usually accurate Curtis mistook and figured the widely-different Iris tricuspis for it.
The English Gardens have several times possessed this charming species, but we are afraid it is at present entirely lost to them. Our figure therefore, taken from the Hibbertian collection some time since, cannot fail to be highly acceptable to all lovers of plants.
In root Iris Pavonia resembles other Cape Irides; but the varying lustres of its brilliant flowers are seldom equalled; and not much excelled by any plant we ever saw. It is a native of the Cape, flowers early in Spring; and must be treated like the other bulbous species from that country.[Pg 9]
PLATE CCCLXV.
SCILLA SIBERICA.
Siberian Squill.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 6-petala, patens, decidua. Filamenta filiformia.
Corolla 6 petaled, expanding, deciduous. Filaments thread-shaped.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Scilla, tetraphylla, scapis plurimis semiteretibus, striatis, bifloris, post florescentiam decumbentibus.
Scilla, four-leaved, with many semicylindrical, scored, two-flowered stalks, which after flowering are decumbent.
Descriptio. Radix bulbosus, magnus pro ratione magnitudinis plantæ. Folia in bulbis senectis, sæpius 4, latiuscula, aliquo striatula, parum recurvata, apice obcuneata et subinvoluta. Scapi 3-5: 1-2, vel rarissime 3-flori, inæquales, semicylindrici, valde striati, lucidi, vix palmares, superne atro-cærulescentes. Pedunculi alterni, remoti, difformes, 1-6 lineares, basi bibracteati, erecti, apice nutantes, vel cernui, uniflori, atro-cærulescentes. Bracteæ difformes, parvulæ, inferne purpurascentes, superne albæ et membranaceæ. Corolla hexapetala, nutans, vel cernua, campanulata. Petala sublanceolata, obtusa, concavo-incurva, lætissime cærulea; intus pallidiora, basi albicantia, costâ utrinque saturatiore. Filamenta 6, filiformia, compressa, alba, superne profunde cærulea, petalis duplo breviora. Antheræ majusculæ æruginosa. Germen pallidum, subrotundum, 6-sulcatum, sulcis alternis profundioribus. Stylus antheris superans, decumbens, basi albus, superne azureus. Stigma obsoletissimum.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Flower spread open, with one Chive magnified.
2. The Pointal and Seed-bud, the Summit magnified
This nondescript and beautiful species of the genus Scilla, is allied to Scilla præcox of Willdenow; but appears to differ in too many particulars, to admit of their being united. It is a native of Siberia, increases slowly by the root, but sometimes ripens seeds in this country. It commences flowering in the beginning of February, before the common Scilla bifolia; but continues in beauty long after that plant is past; and although perfectly hardy, its flowers are liable to be injured by strong frosts, unless occasionally protected.
It thrives well in a light soil, and warm situation; but, like all dwarf plants, appears to most advantage in a pot: and indeed, succeeds best with the treatment usually given to alpine plants.[Pg 11]
PLATE CCCLXVI.
GERANIUM BARBATUM. Var. Undulatum.
Bearded-leaved Geranium. Var. Waved-petalled.
CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.
MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Monogyna. Stigmata quinque. Fructus rostratus, pentacoccus.
One Pointal. Five summits. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry berries,
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Geranium. Foliis pinnatis, incisuris pinnarum aristatis barbatisque, petalis omnibus flavicantibus, rubro-notatis undulatisque.
Geranium. With winged leaves, the segments aristated and bearded, all the petals yellowish, marked with red, and undulated.
Descriptio. Pinnæ foliorum inæqualiter incisæ, incissuris acuminatis, barbatisque. Scapus ramosus. Flores umbellati. Petala omnia linearia, obtusa, elongata, recurvata, valde undulata, flavicantia. basi fere ad medium lætissime rubra. Stamina fertilia quinque.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2.The Chives and Pointal.
3.The same magnified.
4. The Pointal magnified
This plant was sent from the Cape to the collection of George Hibbert, Esq. at Clapham, where our drawing was taken in September; it is no more than a variety, although a very beautiful one, of the Geranium barbatum of this work, of which one variety has already been figured on plate 323. It is a green-house plant, and requires the same treatment as the other tuberous rooted species.[Pg 13]
PLATE CCCLXVII.
ANAGALLIS GRANDIFLORA.
Great-flowered Pimpernel.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Capsula 1-locularis, circumscissa. Corolla rotata. Stamina hirsuta. Stigma capitatum.
Capsule one-celled, cut round. Corolla wheel-shaped. Chives hairy. Summit headed.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Anagallis, foliis ternatis cordato-ovatis acuminatis.
Anagallis, with leaves in threes heart-egg-shaped acuminated.
Descriptio. Radix annua. Rami elongati, effusi, procumbentes, angulati, superne simplices. Folia ternatim verticillata, remota, elliptica, acuminata, amplexicaulia, utrinque 3-5-lineata. Pedunculi ternatim verticillati, axillares, filiformes, primo patuli, demum sæpe recurvi, foliis duplo longiores. Calyx 4-rarius 5-phyllus, foliolis lanceolatis, acuminatis, carinatis, marginibus membranaceis. Corolla 5-rarius 4-petala, petalis basi confluentibus, patulis, orbiculatis, coccineis, basi intus nigris. Filamenta 5 hirsuta, atro-purpurascentia, petalis multo breviora. Germen pallidum. Stylus pergracilis purpureus antheras luteas superans. Stigma simplex, capitulatum, viride.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A peduncle and calyx.
2.The corolla spread open.
3. The seed-bud and pointal, and summit magnified
This new and elegant species of Anagallis, the largest and most showy of that genus hitherto discovered, was introduced into England, we believe, in the last year; but by whom, or from what country, we have not yet satisfactorily ascertained. It is reported to be of African origin, and to have come to England from the Paris garden. Our figure was made from a plant trained up near three feet high, in Lady De Clifford’s collection at Paddington, where it is treated as a green-house plant. We have not yet seen it produce good seeds, although apparently an annual plant; but it is easily increased by cuttings in the usual way. In every thing except size, and in having more entire petals, it very much resembles Anagallis arvensis; a plant truly remarkable for being the only one indigenous to Britain (the Poppies excepted) with scarlet flowers.[Pg 15]
PLATE CCCLXVIII.
MELANTHIUM MASSONIÆFOLIUM.
Massonia-leaved Melanthium.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA TRIGYNIA. Six Chives. Three Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx 0. Corolla infera, 6-petala, petalis staminiferis.
No Calyx. Corolla beneath, 6-petalled, with the petals staminiferous.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Melanthium, foliis subrotundis prostratis sulcato-striatis, floribus spicatis.
Melanthium, with roundish prostrate sulcato-striated leaves, and spiked flowers.
Descriptio. Folia duo humi appressa, subrotunda, viridia, acumine obsoleto recurvato, striisque sulcatis parallelis circiter 12; subtus glabra pallidiora. Flores in spica perbracteata ut in Eucomide. Scapus clavatus teres. Bracteæ ovato-acuminatæ, magnæ; superiores paulo minores. Flores sessiles, bracteis multoties breviores, virides. Corolla hexapetaloidea, vix aperta, petalis sublanceolatis, obtusis, erectis, apicem versus incurvis. Filamenta brevissima, compressa, collo corollæ imposita, basi confluentia. Antheræ erectæ obsoletæ. Germen alato-triangulare, desinens in stylos 3 obsoletissimos, subulatos, et fere adnatos.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A floral leaf.
2.The corolla cut open.
3.A back view of the same.
4. The seed-bud and obsolete styles
This singular plant appears to us to be a new, but somewhat anomalous species of the Genus Melanthium; which, as it at present stands, unquestionably contains several Genera. It is a native of the Cape, and a Green-house plant; and prior to flowering possesses altogether the appearance of a Massonia, and thrives very well with the treatment of one. Our drawing of it was taken from fine plants in the Hibbertian collection in the month of March.[Pg 17]
PLATE CCCLXIX.
EUCOMIS PURPUREOCAULIS.
Purple-stalked Eucomis.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla infera, 6-partita, persistens. Filamenta nectario adnata.
Corolla beneath, 6-parted, persistent. Chives conjoined to the base of the corolla, forming a nectary.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Eucomis, scapo clavato, foliis multifariis expansis orbiculato-spatulatis.
Eucomis, with a clavated scape, leaves pointing many ways expanded orbicular-spatula-shaped.
Descriptio. Radix ut in affinibus. Folia 5-7, multifaria, expansa, demum prostrata, orbiculato-spatulata, vel subinde multo angustiora, viridia, obsolete sulcato-lineata et lucida, marginibus minute cartilagineis, glabriusculis; subtus pallidiora, lucidiora, magisque sulcata. Scapus claviformis, perbrevis, crassus, atro-purpureus; intra flores valde contractus, viridis, purpureoque punctatus. Flores spicati, conferti, sessiles, sæpe adscendentes, unibracteati. Bracteæ imæ obcuneatæ, subrecurvæ, submembranaceæ, et sæpe purpurascentes; sensim minores; summæ longiores, lineari-lanceolatæ, purpureo-marginatæ, steriles; in coronam foliolorum perelegantem supra flores collectæ. Corolla hexapetaloidea, petalis subæqualibus, lineari-oblongis, vix attenuatis, viridibus. Filamenta 6, basi petalorum valde connata, subulata, compressa; superne incurvata. Antheræ flavescentes; post florescentiam fuscæ, pendulæ, ad apices petalorum vix attingentes. Germen sulcato-triangulare. Stylus flexuoso-adscendens, teres, vix subulatus, filamentis multo brevior. Stigma nullum sive inconspicuum.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. One of the lower floral leaves.
2.The corolla cut open.
3. The seed-bud and pointal
We find no account of this fine plant in any publication we have consulted: it is closely allied to Eucomis regia, but differs sufficiently from that species in the shape of its leaves, and the smoothness of their margins. It is a green-house plant, and was lately introduced from the Cape by G. Hibbert, Esq. from a plant in whose collection our drawing was taken in the month of March.[Pg 19]
PLATE CCCLXX.
POLYGALA TERETIFOLIA.
Cylindric-leaved Milkwort.
CLASS XVII. ORDER III.
DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Eight Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx 5-phyllus; foliolis duobus alæformibus, coloratis. Legumen obcordatum, biloculare.
Cup 5-leaved; with two of the leaves like wings, coloured. Pod inverse heart-shaped, two-celled.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Polygala, floribus cristatis, racemis terminalibus paucifloris, alis calycinis ovatis acutiusculis multinerviis, caule fruticoso, foliis lineari-subulatis. Willd. Sp. Pl. 882.
Polygala, with cristated flowers, racemes terminal few-flowered, calyx-wings ovate acutish many-nerved, shrubby stem, and linear-awl-shaped leaves.
Descriptio. Ramuli filiformes, patuli, canescentes. Folia sparsa, sæpe conferta, recurva, et falcata, linearia, obtusa, marginibus revolutis, ut in Erica; supra canescentia: subtus cana. Racemi 2-5 flori. Pedunculi pubescentes.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A leaf.
2.The under surface of the same magnified.
3.The exterior part of the cup.
4.One of the wing-like leaves of the cup, outside.
5.The same inside.
6.The chives, keel and banner spread open.
7.The keel and its crest detached.
8.The same magnified.
9.The chives and banner.
10.The same magnified.
11.The seed-bud and pointal.
12.The same magnified.
Our plate represents the true species of Polygala, which we promised in our account of P. stipulacea. It is a green-house shrub, and rather delicate; yet may, with care, be propagated by cuttings; but is at present very scarce in this country. Its native country is the Cape. Our drawing was taken from a plant in the Clapham collection in the summer of 1803.[Pg 21]
PLATE CCCLXXI.
POLYGALA ALOPECUROIDES.
Fox-tail Milkwort.
CLASS XVII. ORDER III.
DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Eight Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx 5-phyllus, foliolis duobus alæformibus, coloratis. Legumen obcordatum, biloculare.
Cup 5-leaved, with two of the leaves like wings, coloured. Pod inverse heart-shaped, two-celled.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Polygala, floribus imberbibus, pedanculis solitariis axillaribus, foliis fasciculatis ovatis mucronatis margine ciliatis. Willd. Sp. Pl. 890.
P. floribus imberbibus lateralibus, foliis fasciculatis lanceolatis mucronatis villosis. Thunb. Prod. 121.
Polygala, with flowers beardless, peduncles solitary axillary, leaves fascicled egg-shaped mucronated and ciliated on the margin.
P. with flowers beardless lateral, leaves fasciculated lance-shaped mucronated and villose.
Descriptio. Suffrutex elegans, ramulis hirtis. Folia valde conferta, fasciculata, pone medium recurva, 5-6 in singulo fasciculo, infimo majore, latiore, stipuliforme; omnia lineari-lanceolata, mucronata, hirta, ad margines valde ciliata. Flores axillares, sessiles, solitarii, minuti, purpurascentes, serrulati.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement magnified.
2.The keel magnified.
3.One of the wings magnified.
4.The chives and pointal magnified.
5. The pointal detached and magnified
This is the Polygala of the Heisteria family, which we last month engaged to lay before our readers. They will now have an opportunity, from our copious dissections of the flowers, of judging of the great and numerous generical differences which exist between a genuine Polygala and the discarded genus Heisteria. All the Heisteriæ we have yet had an opportunity of examining are heptandrous; all the true Polygalæ octandrous: but these are the least of their distinctions.
The Fox-tail Milkwort is a very elegant shrub of the green-house kind, and is often in flower. It was recently raised from Cape seeds in the Clapham collection, and is at present, we believe, in no other: thrives well in a mixture of bog earth and loam, and is capable of propagation by cuttings.[Pg 23]
PLATE CCCLXXII.
MIMOSA PURPUREA.
Soldier Bush Mimosa.
CLASS XXIII. ORDER I.
POLYGAMIA MONOECIA. Various Dispositions. Upon one Plant.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Hermaph. Calyx 5-dentatus. Cor. 5-fida. Stam. 5 seu plura. Pist. 1. Legumen.
Mascul. Calyx 5-dentatus, Cor. 5-fida. Stam. 5-1O, plura.
Hermaph. Cup 5-toothed. Blos. 5-cleft. Chives 5 or more. Pointal one. A Pod.
Male. Cup 5-toothed. Blos. 5-cleft. Chives, 5, 10, or more.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Mimosa, inermis, foliis conjugatis pinnatis, foliolis intimis minoribus. Linn. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 1500.
M. foliis tergeminis. Plum. Ic. t. 10. f. 2.
Mimosa, unarmed, with leaves conjugate prinnate, and the inner leaflets smaller.
M. with leaves three times twinned.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A single flower.
2.The cup.
3.The blossom.
4. The seed-bud and pointal
The Mimosa purpurea is a native of the West Indies, and is there known by the expressive appellation of Soldier Bush; from the plants being sometimes almost covered with their bright red-purple flowers, in which state it is said they are visible, and even cognizable, on the sides of hills, at the distance of a mile.
The Soldier Bush in this country must be treated as a tender hot-house shrub, and kept constantly in the tan-bed, planted in rich earth. It is a plant of handsome growth and foliage; but its charming flowers are so very rare, that we do not recollect seeing any of them except those which are here represented, from a plant which flowered in March last, in the collection of Mrs. Wright at Bayswater. It is propagated by cuttings in the usual way.[Pg 25]
PLATE CCCLXXIII.
PÆONIA SUFFRUTICOSA.
Shrubby Pæony.
CLASS XIII. ORDER V.
POLYANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Many Chives. Five Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx 5-phyllus. Petala 5. Styli 0. Capsulæ polyspermæ.
Cup 5-leaved. Petals 5. Pointal none. Capsules many-seeded.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Pæonia, foliolis subtus glaucis et villosis, capsulis sericeis, caule suffruticoso.
Pæony, with leaflets glaucous and villose beneath, capsules silky, and shrubby stem.
Pæonia officinalis. Thunb. Fl. Jap. 230.—Loureir. Fl. Cochin. 1. 343.
Descriptio. Suffrutex 3-pedalis et ultra, ramosus. Rami erectiusculi, cortice subfusco; ramulis erectis lævibus, apicem versus viridibus, pauloque pubescentibus. Folia alterna, bipinnata, pedalia et ultra, horizontalia; superiora adscendentia; petiolis amplexicaulibus, canaliculatis, villis perpaucis sæpe instructis, canaliculâ, petiolorum semper lætissime roseâ; pinnæ 2-4, petiolatæ; pinnulæ sæpe 3, sessiles, infimæ oppositæ, tertia terminalis; omnes basi oblique cuneatæ, superne irregulariter inciso-dentatæ; supra virides, venosæ, nudæ, subtus glaucæ, nervosæ, villosæ. Flores speciosissimi ut in affinibus, sed in nostris exemplaribus pleni, rosei. Capsulæ sericeo-pubescentes.
The Pæonia suffruticosa is perhaps the most showy and desirable species, in this short but magnificent genus of plants. To the striking peculiarity of a shrubby stem, it unites the advantages of superior size; a profusion of very large flowers; and a facility of culture which ensures an annual succession of them: no wonder, therefore, that it is assiduously sought after by all who admire the beauties of Flora.
The shrubby Pæony was introduced into Britain in the year 1794, from China; where, as well as in Japan, many varieties of it are said to be common in almost every garden. We conceive it to be extremely distinct as a species, from the P. officinalis of all authors except Thunberg and Loureiro: yet Professor Willdenow has not enumerated it in his edition of Species Plantarum. Although introduced so long since, it is still rare; and must be treated as a very hardy green-house plant: indeed it succeeds best when planted in the earth and protected by a glass case; is propagated by slipping the roots, and by cuttings. All the plants hitherto received from China have double flowers; and among them there are two varieties; the rosy one here figured, from the Clapham collection; and another with purplish petals, the bases of which are of a still deeper colour. Flowers in April, making a very fine appearance; but is nearly scentless.[Pg 27]
PLATE CCCLXXIV.
XERANTHEMUM PROLIFERUM.
Proliferous Eternal Flower.
CLASS XIX. ORDER II.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Receptaculum paleaceum, aut nudum. Pappus setaceus. Calyx imbricatus, radiatus; radio colorato.
Receptacle chaffy, or naked. Feather bristly. Empalement tiled, rayed; the ray coloured.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Xeranthemum, caule fruticoso prolifero, floribus sessilibus, foliis granulato-subrotundis imbricatis obsoletis.
Xeranthemum, with a shrubby proliferous stem, sessile flowers, leaves grain-shaped roundish tiled and obsolete.
Xeranthemum proliferum. Mant. Pl. 467.—Gmel. Syst. Nat. 2. 1218.
Descriptio. Frutex erectus, proliferus, tripedalis et ultra. Rami teretes, lanâ densâ, niveâ undique vestiti; et ramulis numerosissimis, incipientibus, brevissimis, sæpe quasi reflexo-imbricatis, instructi. Flores solitarii magni, squamis calycinis lanceolatis, lætissimæ et profundissime rubicundis, basin versus valde lanatis, superioribus sensim majoribus.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. An hermaphrodite floret magnified.
2.The chives, pointal and seed-bud magnified.
3.One of the scales of the empalement.
4. The receptacle
Few genera of plants attract attention so universally and deservedly, as those of the genus Xeranthemum. All the species it contains are at once the favourites of the Botanist, the Gardener, and the Florist. The former, with pleasing satisfaction, contemplates their polished beauties still undiminished in his herbarium; while the latter find them (if sufficiently guarded from humidity) of easy management and ready growth. They bloom annually, and their durable and highly finished empalements are gathered and used in decorating many a mantle-piece; long, very long after they have ceased to live: whence the name of Eternal Flower. Many species of Gnaphalium possess a similar durability; and we have seen dried bouquets of both united, which were extremely beautiful.
The proliferous Eternal Flower is shrubby, commences flowering in May, lasts a long time in bloom, and in point of singularity and showiness yields to few of its congeners. It is a Cape plant: succeeds with the treatment of several species figured before by us; and is propagated by cuttings: was introduced some years since. Our figure was made from the Clapham collection.[Pg 29]
PLATE CCCLXXV.
XERANTHEMUM BRACTEATUM.
Waved-leaved Eternal Flower.
CLASS XIX. ORDER II.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Receptaculum paleaceum, aut nudum. Pappus setaceus. Calyx imbricatus, radiatus; radio colorato.
Receptacle chaffy, or naked. Feather bristly. Empalement tiled, rayed; the ray coloured.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Xeranthemum, foliis alternis amplexicaulibus longo-lanceolatis undulatis, caulibusque erectis pubescentibus; receptaculis nudis, radice annua.
Xeranthemum, with alternate stem-clasping long-spear-shaped waved pubescent leaves, pubescent erect stems, naked receptacles, and annual root.
Xeranthemum bracteatum. Vent. Jard. de la Malmaison, tab. 2.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A hermaphrodite floret magnified.
2.The chives, pointal and seed-bud magnified.
3.The pointal and seed-bud of a female floret magnified.
4. The receptacle
Xeranthemum bracteatum has the appearance of proving as hardy an annual as a China Aster or French Marygold; and if so, will prove a considerable acquisition to our open borders; as it ripens its seeds well, and they vegetate readily.
In being annual, it recedes in its nature from all the species of the genus we are acquainted with, except X. annuum of Linnæus; which, however, we think, with Jussieu, of a perfectly distinct genus; on account of its squamous receptacle; and its variety (inapertum) a distinct species: the structure of the receptacle in the extensive class Syngenesia being of great consequence in the formation and distribution of genera.
The seedlings of the waved-leaved Eternal Flower are best raised early, like China Asters, on a gentle hot-bed, and, when large enough, should be transplanted out in showery weather, where they are intended to remain: they will become erect and bushy, attain the height of three feet or upwards, and produce their polished, golden-coloured flowers in autumn, in profusion. Possessing no recent specimens in bloom, we have omitted a technical description. Our drawing was made last summer, from fine living plants at Mr. Colvill’s, Nurseryman, in the King’s Road; who raised it in the year 1799 from Port Jackson seeds sent him by Colonel Paterson.[Pg 31]
PLATE CCCLXXVI.
NEOTTIA MINOR.
The Lesser Neottia.
CLASS XX. ORDER I.
GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. Chives on the Pointal. Two Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Spathæ vagæ. Spadix simplex. Corolla petala 5 æqualia erecta. Nectarium monophyllum indivisum acuminatum.
Sheaths scattered. Fruit-stalk simple. Corolla 5 petals of equal length erect. Nectary one-leafed undivided sharp-pointed.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Neottia, foliis ellipticis acuminatis quintuplinerviis.
Neottia, with elliptic sharp-pointed leaves, with five nerves meeting above the base.
Neottia minor, foliis planis, spathis virescentibus. Jac. Ic. 3. 16. t. 601.—Satyrium elatum. Gmel. Syst. Nat. 2. 56.—Serapias Neottia. Gmel. Syst. Nat. 2. 59. monente Dryandro, in Linn. Tr. 2. 215.
Descriptio. Folia elliptica, acuminata, quintuplinervia, nervo medio subtus cæteris multo majore, viridia, infra pallidiora. Caulis tereti-compressus, pubescens 1-3-pedalis, foliis alternis spathaceis, remotis, instructus. Flores siccos exceptos non possideo. H.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A blossom, seed-bud and sheath.
2.The same magnified without the sheath, the cover of the tips elevated.
3.A flower without the honey-cup.
4.The chives and pointal as they appear detached.
5. The pointal magnified
What the Neottia minor wants in splendour and beauty, is counterbalanced by the interesting structure of its flowers; which however is not peculiar to it; but frequent in the fine order to which it belongs: the Orchideæ.
Until Jacquin established it as a distinct genus, it was considered as a species of, and retained a place in the genus Serapias, as well as the more showy N. speciosa of our third plate.
The Lesser Neottia is a native of the West Indies; is a very tender hot-house plant, but grows freely in rich earth; either in or out of the tan-bed; rises to the height of about three feet, and flowers in the month of March: is propagated by parting its roots; and although at present rare, was introduced to us before N. speciosa, in the year 1790, by Mr. John Fairbairn, gardener to the Worshipful Company of Apothecaries at Chelsea. Our drawing was taken at Lady De Clifford’s collection at Paddington.[Pg 33]
PLATE CCCLXXVII.
ALLIUM CHAMÆ-MOLY.
The Dwarf Moly.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 6-partita, patens. Spatha multiflora. Umbella congesta. Capsula supera.
Corolla 6-parted, expanding. Sheath many-flowered. Umbel crowded. Capsule above.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Allium, scapo nudo subnullo, capsulis cernuis, foliis planis ciliatis.
Allium, with a naked very short stalk, drooping capsules, and flat ciliated leaves.
Allium Chamæ-Moly. Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 83.—Cavan. Ic. 3. p. 4. t. 207. f. 1.?
Descriptio. Radix bulbus parvulus. Folia circiter 4, cruciatim disticha, expansa, linearia, subulata, basin versus parum canaliculata, et subcarinata; hirta, præcipue ad margines, unde ciliata. Flores umbellati subsessiles. Scapus brevissimus, reconditus, nudus. Spatha monophylla 3-8-flora, membranacea, 3-cuspidata. Pedunculi perbreves, teretes, superne incrassati, post florescentiam cernui. Petala 6, lanceolato-linearia, obtusa, alba, costâ utrinque virescente. Filamenta 6, tenuissima, alba, petalis duplo breviora. Antheræ luteæ. Germen superum, turbinatum, 6-sulcatum superne umbilicatum. Stylus albus longitudine filamentorum, sed robustior, apice furcatus. Stigmata fere nulla.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The sheath.
2.A flower spread open, magnified.
3.The seed-bud and pointal.
4. The same magnified
Although now an old inhabitant of the British gardens, Allium Chamæ-Moly has ever been considered as a rare and interesting one; and is at present extremely scarce. It has several times been entirely lost to us, and again introduced from the south of Europe; where it occurs spontaneously.
In the Hortus Kewensis of Mr. Aiton, it is marked as a hardy species: perhaps inadvertently: because we never knew it survive a single winter in the open ground near London: notwithstanding our having repeatedly tried it, in situations by no means unfavourable: hence, possibly, its present rarity.
It is properly a hardy green-house plant: requires a light soil, and the treatment of an Ixia: increases both by offsets from the root, and by seeds: and flowers annually in the months of January and February. The leaves die down in April or May. In the structure of the flowers, but not the spathe, it agrees with Allium gracile of this work, which is not the gracile of the Hortus Kewensis. The genus Allium is an extensive one; but the present is the least species in it, and possesses the shortest stalk. Cavanilles describes and figures the style as subulate and entire; but in our plant that part is forked: and the spathe in his plant differs much from ours.[Pg 35]
PLATE CCCLXXVIII.
GERANIUM FISSIFOLIUM.
Cloven-leaved Geranium.
CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.
MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Monogyna. Stigmata quinque. Fructus rostratus, pentacoccus.
One Pointal. Five summits. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry berries.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Geranium, radice tuberosa, pinnulis foliorum inæqualiter fissis, scapis radicalibus simplicibus numerosis.
Geranium, with a tuberous root, the little wings of the leaves unequally cloven, and flower-stalks radical simple and numerous.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.The chives spread open.
3.The pointal and seed-bud.
4. The same magnified
This charming species of the tuberous-rooted family of Geranium adds one more to the considerable number in that branch of the genus, which we have already had the satisfaction of laying before our subscribers: nor is it the last we hope to have it in our power to treat them with; for we still possess drawings of two or three more. As a species, it is extremely distinct; and as a beauty, rivalled by very few of its affinities we are acquainted with. It does not appear to have been noticed by any author within our knowledge; flowers at the same time as Geranium barbatum, requires the same treatment, and belongs to L’Hertier’s genus Erodium.
Our drawing was taken from the Clapham collection some time since; but we cannot at present procure any specimen of it: which prevents us from describing it in a technical manner.[Pg 37]
PLATE CCCLXXIX.
RHODODENDRON PONTICUM, var. deciduum.
Deciduous Purple Rhododendron.
CLASS X. ORDER I.
DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Ten Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx 5-partitus. Corolla rotato-infundibuliformis. Stamina declinata. Capsula 5-locularis.
Empalement of 5 divisions. Blossom wheel-funnel-shaped. Chives declined. Capsule 5-celled.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Rhododendron, foliis lanceolatis deciduis, laciniis corollæ valde undulatis.
Rhododendron, with lanced deciduous leaves, and segments of the corolla very much waved.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement and peduncle.
2.The same, with the chives and pointal.
3.A chive detached, the tip magnified.
4. The seed-bud and pointal
The figure which accompanies this description represents a beautiful plant, which is probably an hybrid one; generated between some Azalea and the pontic Rhododendron. It is reported to have been raised some time since in the Nursery at Mile-end, from seeds which were grown in this country. In appearance, and in the structure of the leaves, it resembles its supposed mother the Rhododendron ponticum; but in their deciduous nature, and in some parts of the inflorescence; and likewise in other particulars; it betrays a considerable similitude to the American Azaleæ.
The pontic Rhododendron is a very sportive species; varies much in the formation and colour of its corolla; and we cultivate a strong variety of it with the flowers of R. maximum. The present variety has not any of its undulated flowers spotted with yellow, no more than that which is figured by Pallas in Flora Rossica: yet the spotting of the three superior segments of the corolla is pretty constant in most of the varieties which we have examined; and is even present, although faintly, in R. maximum. Our figure was taken at Whitley and Brames’s in the month of May.[Pg 39]
PLATE CCCLXXX.
ACHYRANTHES PORRIGENS.
Divaricating Achyranthes.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Flores incompleti, inferi. Calyx 5-phyllus. Corolla 0. Stigma 2-fidum. Semina solitaria.
Flowers incomplete, beneath. Empalement 5-leaved. Corolla none. Summit 2-cleft. Seeds solitary.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Achyranthes, foliis oppositis, lanceolatis, spicis ovatis, acutis. Jacq. Hort. Schœnb. 3. 349. t. 350.
Achyranthes, with leaves opposite, spear-shaped, and egg-shaped sharp-pointed spikes.
Descriptio. Suffrutex ramulis distantibus, filiformibus, canescentibus. Folia opposita, elliptico-ovata, breviter petiolata, obsolete venosa, supra pallide viridia lente pubescentia; subtus pallidiora magisque pubescentia. Flores dichotome-paniculati, divaricati, capitulis ovalibus, persistentibus, ante et post exsiccationem læte purpureis pulchellisque, ut in Gomphrenâ perenni.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A flower complete.
2.The empalement magnified.
3.The blossom magnified.
4.The same cut open.
5. The seed-bud and pointal
Achyranthes porrigens was introduced into this country from Paris, in the year 1802, by Mr. Woodford of Vauxhall; but its native country we have not ascertained. Our figure was taken from a fine plant in the collection of J. Vere, esq. at Kensington Gore; where it is considered and treated as a hot-house plant of the more hardy kind; and rises to the height of 2 or 3 feet. Thrives well in rich earth, and flowers freely in spring, making an elegant but not showy appearance. Its flowers resemble those of Gomphrena perennis, and like them preserve their colours after death, if gathered before they are fully blown; and are capable of becoming both a novel and a graceful addition to our dried bouquets. Is propagated by cuttings, and promises fair to ripen seeds; but is at present extremely rare.[Pg 41]
PLATE CCCLXXXI.
SARRACENIA FLAVA.
Yellow Side-saddle Flower.
CLASS XIII. ORDER I.
POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Many Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Capsula 5-locularis. Stigma clypeatum. Calyx exterior 3-phyllus, superior 5-phyllus.
Capsule 5-celled. Stigma shield-shaped. Calyx outer 3-leaved, upper 5-leaved.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Sarracenia, foliis erectis tubulatis, valva collo contracta, apice plana erecta.
Sarracenia, with erect leaves, the valve contracted in the neck, with its point flat and erect.
Sarracenia flava, Walt. Fl. Carol. 153.—Aiton Hort. Kew. 2. 225.—Willd. Sp. Pl. tom. 2. 1150.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A back view of the flower.
2. A flower deprived of its superior calyx leaves, showing the situation and structure of the stamina and style.
Few of the productions of Flora exhibit such extraordinary appearances as those of the small but interesting genus Sarracenia: whether we contemplate their tubulose, water-holding, lidded leaves; or the strange conformation of their flowers; but more especially their enormous shield-shaped stigmata.
Walter enumerates four species of Sarracenia in his Flora Caroliniana, all perennial-rooted; and all at this time existing in the London gardens; but they are rare.
The Side-saddle Flowers are rather difficult of cultivation, and succeed best when treated as green-house bog plants; and when plentifully supplied with water. They are propagated by dividing their roots in spring. The specimen from which our figure was taken, was obligingly sent us by the honourable Mr. Irby of Farnham Royal, Bucks.[Pg 43]
PLATE CCCLXXXII.
LIPARIA VILLOSA.
Concave-leaved Liparia.
CLASS XVII. ORDER III.
DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calycis lacinia infima elongata. Alæ inferius bilobæ.
The lower segment of the empalement elongated. The wings two-lobed on the lower margin.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Liparia, floribus fasciculatis, foliis subrotundis concavis, extus tomentosis, intus villosis nudisque.
Liparia, with fasciculated flowers, leaves roundish concave, downy outwardly, and villose or naked within.
Liparia villosa α. Willd. Sp. Pl. 3. 1117. excluso synonymo Thunbergii; quod ad varietatem β. potius pertinet.
Liparia vestita, floribus capitatis, foliis ovatis concavis subtus lanatis. Thunb. Prod. 124. et etiam Willd. Sp. Pl. 3. 1115.
Genista africana tomentosa, folio cochleariformi, flore luteo. Seba Thes. 1. p. 38. tab. 24. f. 1.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.The banner.
3.One of the wings.
4.The keel.
5.The chives and pointal.
6. The seed-bud
The Liparia villosa is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and rises with a shrubby, but not much branched stem, to the height of two or three feet. The silvery wool which clothes the younger branches and leaves of the plant, gives it a very handsome appearance; yet by age it sometimes acquires a somewhat rusty tint. The leaves are nearly round, and assume, particularly when dried, a deep concave form, and very much resemble in shape, small bivalve shells; a circumstance noticed long since by the great naturalist Seba, as will appear on consulting the synonyms above given. The variety β. of Willdenow has much narrower, and not concave leaves; and is a very distinct species.
The concave-leaved Liparia is propagated, but not readily, by cuttings; prefers the treatment of a green-house plant, a light, but good soil; and, like most woolly plants, is very liable to be destroyed by damps. Our figure was taken in May last at George Hibbert’s, esq.[Pg 45]
PLATE CCCLXXXIII.
PITTOSPORUM UNDULATUM.
Waved-leaved Pittosporum.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Capsula 2-5-locularis, 5-valvis. Semina tecta pulpa. Petala conniventia in tubum.
Capsule 2-5-celled, 5-valved. Seeds covered with pulp. Petals converging into a tube.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Pittosporum, foliis lanceolatis undulatis acutis.
Pittosporum, with lance-shaped, waved sharp-pointed leaves.
Descriptio. Frutex erectus, ramosus. Ramuli fusci, cicatricibus foliorum asperi. Folia breviter petiolata, lanceolata, vel elliptico-lanceolata, acuta, undulata, rigida, lucida, viridia, et reticulatim venosa; subtus pallidiora. Flores terminales, racemosi, albicantes, pedunculis inæqualibus, rufescentibus, obsolete bracteatis. Calyx 5-fidus, deciduus, laciniis acutis, recurvis. Corolla, petala 5, lineari-lanceolata, obtusa, revoluta, inferne in tubum conniventia. Stamina, filamenta 5, receptaculo inserta, stricta, subulata, subcompressa, altitudine styli; antheræ erectæ, luteæ. Stylus albidus, petalis brevior. Stigma obtusum.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.One of the petals.
3.The chives and pointal, with one tip magnified.
4. The pointal and seed-bud magnified
The Pittosporum undulatum is a new plant, introduced into this country in the year 1793 from New Holland, where it is a native. It rises with a shrubby stem, which is branched above, to the height of several feet. Its branches are adorned with a fine undulated foliage that is rigid to the touch; and are terminated, in the month of May, with bunches of whitish flowers.
Is as yet a very rare species, and is raised from imported seeds; and likewise by cuttings. Requires, and thrives well with, the common treatment of a green-house or conservatory plant; and deserves a place in every extensive collection. Our drawing was made from a specimen in the Nursery of Messrs. Colvil, in the King’s Road.[Pg 47]
PLATE CCCLXXXIV.
XERANTHEMUM VARIEGATUM.
Variegated Eternal Flower.
CLASS XIX. ORDER II.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Receptaculum paleaceum, aut nudum. Pappus setaceus. Calyx imbricatus, radiatus; radio colorato.
Receptacle chaffy, or naked. Feather bristly. Empalement tiled, rayed: the ray coloured.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Xeranthemum, floribus solitariis nutantibus, squamis calycinis obtusis maculatis.
Xeranthemum, with solitary nodding flowers, and the scales of the empalement obtuse and spotted.
Xeranthemum variegatum. Syst. Veg. 614.—Syst. Veg. Litchf. ed. 2. p. 614.—Reich. Syst. Pl. pars 3. 766.
Xeranthemum africanum Gnaphalii foliis tomentosis, foliis et squamorum summitatibus ferrugineis. Raii Suppl. 181.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. An hermaphrodite floret magnified.
2.The chives, pointal, and seed-bud magnified.
3.One of the scales of the empalement.
4. The receptacle
The Xeranthemum variegatum is a small shrub, and seldom attains the height of two feet. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and was lately introduced from that country to the collection of George Hibbert, esq. where our drawing was taken in the month of May. It requires the same treatment as the other species of the genus, and is propagated in the same manner. The leaves are linear-lanced, embrace the stem alternately, and when old are often reflexed in an imbricated manner: they are clothed, as well as the stems, with wool; and resemble fine woollen cloth to the touch, and often have their edges and points of a purplish rusty colour. The bracteated peduncles are from one to three in number, at the end of each branch. The young flowers are more highly coloured than the old ones, which sometimes assume a nodding attitude: when aged they bleach almost white, except the points of the calycine scales, which always retain a purplish blotch.[Pg 49]
PLATE CCCLXXXV.
CAMPANULA LACINIATA.
Ragwort-leaved Bell Flower.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla campanulata, fundo clauso valvis staminiferis. Stigma 3-fidum. Capsula infera, poris lateralibus dehiscens.
Corolla bell-shaped with the mouth closed by staminiferous valves. Summit 3-cleft. Capsule beneath, gaping with lateral pores.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Campanula, capsulis obtectis pedunculatis, foliis serratis; radicalibus lyratis; caulinis lanceolatis.
Bell Flower, with pedunculated covered capsules, and serrated leaves; the root ones lyrated; the stem ones spear-shaped.
Campanula laciniata. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 911.
Campanula Græca, saxatilis, Jacobeæ foliis. Tourn. Voyage 1. 201. cum icone.—Coroll. Inst. Rei Herb. 3.
Descriptio. Herba undique villosa. Radix biennis. Folia radicalia lyrato-pinnatifida, pinnulis incisis; caulina alterna, sublanceolata, inciso-serrata. Pedunculi bracteis subovatis dentatis instructi. Flores numerosi cærulei.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.The blossom laid open.
3.The seed-bud, chives and pointal.
4.A chive magnified.
5. The seed-bud and pointal, the summit magnified
The Campanula laciniata, although introduced into the British gardens so long since as the year 1790, is still a very scarce species: this is not owing to a want of beauty, but to its having a biennial root, and not perfecting its seeds well, except in favourable situations. It was originally discovered by the celebrated French traveller and botanist Tournefort, about a century since, on a remarkable rock in the Island of Sikino in Greece; where he appears to have been highly delighted with its beauty and appearance, and says it is “the fairest Campanula in all Greece[B].” However applicable this encomium may have been in those days, it ceases to be so now; for, without detracting from the fairness and beauty of the present plant, we have in cultivation another Grecian Campanula, still more fair and beautiful, and much more rare, which we hope soon to have the pleasure of presenting to our subscribers.
The Ragwort-leaved Campanula is usually treated as an alpine plant, and wintered in a frame: it is increased by seeds, and is impatient of superfluous moisture.
[B] Tournefort’s Voyage, vol. i. page 201.[Pg 51]
PLATE CCCLXXXVI.
ANTHERICUM PUGIONIFORME.
Dagger-leaved Anthericum.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx patens aut connivens. Stamina filamentis filiformibus hirsutis. Stigma 1. Semina angulata. Juss. Gen. Pl. 52.
Empalement expanding or converging. Chives thread-shaped hairy. Summit 1. Seeds angulated.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Anthericum, foliis carnosis linearibus acuminatis canaliculatis, scapo foliis duplo longiore.
Anthericum, with fleshy linear acuminated channelled leaves, with a stalk twice their length.
Anthericum pugioniforme. Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 144.
Anthericum filamentis barbatis acaule, radice subrotunda perenni, foliis crasso-subulatis antice sulcatis apice teretibus pulposis erectis. Jacq. Ic. rar. 2. t. 405.
Petala sex, oblonga, obtusa, plana, patentissima, lutea, cum fascia longitudinali media utrinque viridi. Filamenta subulata patula, petalis breviora, flavescentia, circa medium omnia ex viridi-flavo dense barbata. Antheræ oblongæ, flavæ. Germen ovatum, superum. Stylus filiformis, erectus, longitudine staminum. Stigma obtusum. Jacq. Collect. Supp. 83.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The seed-bud, chives and pointal.
2.A chive magnified.
3. The seed-bud and pointal
A native of the Cape of Good Hope, from whence it was sent some time since to the collection of G. Hibbert, esq. Clapham Common; where our figure was taken last autumn. It is rather more singular in its appearance, than beautiful; but is at present extremely rare, and deserves a place in all collections; prefers the treatment of a green-house succulent plant, and requires much air; but must be carefully defended from superfluous humidity; particularly when not in a state of active growth; and is best kept constantly in the house. Is propagated by parting its roots, but not very readily: and requires a light, dry soil.[Pg 53]
PLATE CCCLXXXVII.
XERANTHEMUM RIGIDUM.
Rigid-leaved Eternal Flower.
CLASS XIX. ORDER II.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Receptaculum paleaceum, aut nudum. Pappus setaceus. Calyx imbricatus, radiatus; radio colorato.
Receptacle chaffy, or naked. Feather bristly. Empalement tiled, rayed; the ray coloured.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Xeranthemum, floribus parvis paniculatis; foliis villosis lineari-lanceolatis acuminatis viridibus.
Xeranthemum, with small paniculated flowers; and hairy linear-lanced sharp-pointed green leaves.
Descriptio. Suffrutex, ramulis teretibus, subflexuosis, villosis. Folia, superiora remotiora, alterna, amplexicaulia, lineari-lanceolata, acuminata, canaliculata, rigida, villosa, viridia, superne patula. Flores paniculati, terminales, parvi in hoc genere, et inconspicui. Pedunculi lanuginoso-villosi, bracteati. Calyces argentei. Corollulæ flavicantes.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A scale of the empalement.
2.One of the hermaphrodite florets magnified.
3.The chives and pointal.
4. The receptacle
The plant here delineated is by no means a conspicuous one; nevertheless, as it is a genuine member of a favourite genus, and at the same time a new species, and almost the last of its fine family we shall be able to present to our readers, it cannot fail to be acceptable to them.
The present species is a weak shrubby plant, flowers freely, and succeeds with the treatment of the other eternal flowers, and is propagated in the same manner: and was lately raised from Cape seeds at our never-failing source of rare plants, the choice collection of G. Hibbert, esq. where the figure here given was made in May last.
It is very closely allied to X. argenteum of our 327th plate, which is the X. paniculatum of Thunberg and the younger Linnæus.[Pg 55]
PLATE CCCLXXXVIII.
MESEMBRYANTHEMUM INCLAUDENS.
Unclosing-flowered Fig-Marygold.
CLASS XII. ORDER IV.
ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Twenty Chives. Five Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Petala valde numerosa, linearia, basi cohærentia.
Petals very numerous, linear, cohering at the base.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Mesembryanthemum, foliis triquetris lævibus perviridibus, carinâ gibbosâ, corollis inclandentibus, petalis interioribus valde abbreviatis imbricatisque.
Fig-Marygold, with triquetrous smooth deep green leaves, with a gibbous keel, unclosing flowers, and interior petals extremely abbreviated and imbricated.
Descriptio. M. mutabili nobis affinis, sed species valde distincta: differt in his, foliis lævioribus, et longe viridioribus, minusque mucronatis, marginibus sæpius plus minusve purpureis: floribus speciosis semper apertis; nec inconspicuis, nocteque clausis; saturatissime et vivacissime rubicundis, petalis cuneato-linearibus, latis in hoc genere, apicibus erosis; interioribus (petalis) maxime abbreviatis, imbricatisque quasi in stellam. Calyx subanceps, 5-fidus, membranis rubro punctatis. Filamenta recondita, brevissima omnium (vix linearia), alba, basi purpurea. Antheræ albidæ, circiter longitudinem filamentorum. Styli 5, erecti, pergrossi, virides, altitudine antherarum. Capsulam non vidi. H.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement, seed-bud, chives and pointals.
2. The same cut perpendicularly, to show the insertion of the chives and pointal
Our figure represents a perfectly new and nondescript, and at the same time very ornamental species of Mesembryanthemum: each flower possesses the valuable property of lasting about ten days in beauty, and never closes after being once expanded: a circumstance of exceeding rare occurrence in this very extensive genus; no fewer than 214 distinct species of which we have now a knowledge of[C].
M. inclaudens rises with a branched, shrubby stem, to the height of 10 or 12 inches, and is cultivated in the same manner, and propagated with the same facility, that is common and well known in this tribe: they are all very hardy green-house plants; require in winter as much air as possible, if frost is but avoided; strike freely from cuttings; are great lovers of hot, sunny and sheltered situations, when out for the summer; and are better not watered over their heads, but at the roots only.
The present species was raised from Cape seeds last season, in the collection of G. Hibbert, esq. where our drawing was made in July. Mr. Ross, Nurseryman at Stoke Newington, has also raised it from Cape seeds, and flowered it in July; and he likewise very fortunately flowered at the same time several fine specimens of M. rostratum; the fructifications of which have not been produced before in Europe, that we know of, although the plant has been common in the English gardens ever since the year 1732, and is one of the very few which Dillenius thought proper to figure without flowers, in his celebrated Hortus Elthamensis.
[C] 211 are described in my Miscellanea Naturalia, lately published. H.[Pg 57]
PLATE CCCLXXXIX.
DOMBEYA ERYTHROXYLON.
Saint Helena Red-wood.
CLASS XVI. ORDER VII.
MONADELPHIA DODECANDRIA. Threads united. Twelve Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx duplex, exterior 3-phyllus deciduus. Corolla 5-petala. Stamina 10-20, quorum 5 sterilia. Stylus 5-fidus. Capsulæ 5, coalitæ uniloculares, 1. s. polyspermæ.
Empalement double, outer 3-leaved deciduous. Corolla 5-petalled. Chives 10 to 20, of which 5 are sterile. Style 5-cleft. Capsules 5, conjoined one-celled, 1-or many-seeded.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Dombeya, foliis ovatis acuminatis cordatis, subtus tomentosis reticulatis, pedunculis subtrifloris, floribus pentandris.
Dombeya, with ovate acuminated heart-shaped leaves, downy and reticulated beneath, peduncles about 3-flowered, and pentandrous flowers.
Dombeya Erythroxylon. Willd. Sp. Pl. 3. 725.
Pentapetes Erythroxylon, foliis cordatis subcrenatis subtus tomentosis rugoso-reticulatis, floribus subumbellatis decandris. Ait. Hort. Kew. 2. 438.
Alcæa arborea, populi nigræ foliis, prona parte albicantibus, flore amplissimo rubicundo. Pluk. Mant. 6. t. 333. f. 1.
Descriptio. Frutex dumosus; ramulis, petiolis teretibus, paginis inferioribus foliorum, pedunculis calycibusque tomentoso-canis, et ferrugineo dense punctulatis. Folia alterna, petiolata, cordata, subintegra, supra perviridia, utraque venosa, subtus obsolete reticulata. Flores malvacei, speciosi. Calyx duplex, exterior minutus, 3-phyllus, foliolis subulatis, sesquilinearibus, superior 5-phyllus, foliolis lineari-lanceolatis, acuminatis. Petala 5, alba, retuse cuneata, venosa, basi uno latere, gibbosa, imbricata. Stamina, filamenta 10, atra, patula, quorum 5 sterilia, cæteris duplo longiora. Antheæ erectæ luteæ. Stylus teres, albus, 5-fidus, antheras superans.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.One of the petals.
3.The chives and pointal.
4.The chives spread open.
5. The pointal and seed-bud
The handsome plant here represented is a native of Saint Helena, and is known by the name of Saint Helena Red-wood. Although introduced into this country by Sir Joseph Banks in the year 1772, it is at this time one of our very rarest and most desirable of hot-house plants. Mr. Aiton enumerates it in the Hortus Kewensis, but marks no time for its flowering; which therefore, we must suppose, but seldom occurs. Our specimen was obligingly sent us by T. Evans, esq. from his fine collection at Stepney in June 1803, and we last month saw it beautifully in bloom at the honourable Charles Greville’s, Paddington.
In the colour of its flowers, and in other particulars, it appears to vary. Plukenet calls them rubicund: ours were white: and in the extensive herbarium of A. B. Lambert, esq. we have examined a Saint Helena specimen with purple flowers, and less hoary but more reticulated leaves, which wanted the minute ferruginous spotting so abundant upon ours. It is propagated by cuttings in the usual way.[Pg 59]
PLATE CCCXC.
AMARYLLIS SPECTABILIS.
Waved-leaved Amaryllis.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla hexapetaloidea irregularis. Filamenta fauci tubi inserta declinata inæqualia proportione vel directione.
Corolla 6-petal-like irregular. Chives inserted into the throat of the tube, bent downward, and unequal in proportion or direction.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Amaryllis, spatha multiflora, tubo corollæ laciniis sesquilongiore, foliis lato-subulatis serrulatisque scapo longioribus.
Amaryllis, with a many-flowered sheath, the tube of the corolla longer than its segments, the leaves broad-awl-shaped serrulated and longer than the stalk.
Descriptio. Radix bulbus mediocris tunicatus, et rotundatus, pallidusque. Folia multifaria, lato-subulata, sesquipedalia, subcanaliculata, lævia, viridia, carinâ pallidâ, striisque parallelis ad lucem utrinque etiam pallidis; basin versus undulata, et aliquo attenuata; margine cartilagineo, serrulis minutissimis, expansis, albis, remotisque, aspero. Scapus foliis duplo brevior, rubens, grossus, obtuse compressus, obsolete at irregulariter sulcato-striatulus, æquali crassitie. Spatha diphylla, subquadriflora, valida, foliolis lineatis, apicibus obtusissimis, et minute emarginatis, intus albis, extus virentibus, tinctura rubedinis. Flores sessiles, hexapetaloidei, tubulosi: tubus curvatus, angulatus, sulcatus, 5-uncialis et ultra, at gracilis, laciniis sesquilongior. Petala late lanceolata, undulata, acuta, alba, vittâ purpureâ. Filamenta alba, declinata, laciniis longe breviora. Antheræ versatiles, arcuatæ, magnæ, demum atræ. Germen sessile, compressum, viride. Stylus albus, superne purpureus, antheras superans. Stigma minutum. Infra germina, filamenta perpauca, staminiformia, sæpius adsunt.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A petal with its chive attached.
2. The seed-bud and pointal
The magnificent species of Amaryllis here represented is a native of Sierra Leona; and was introduced from thence to this country, by Professor Afzelius, several years ago; but has not yet been described by any author whose works have reached us: although it will unquestionably be inserted in the Flora of that part of Africa, which the abovementioned learned Botanist is said to be preparing for publication.
Although a very tender hot-house species, it flowers freely in the tan-bed, in rich earth; but its elegant flowers, like those of Amaryllis ornata, which it also resembles in foliage, are of very short duration, and do not individually last in full beauty longer than a day; unless they are taken out of the hot-house as soon as expanded, and placed in some cool apartment; which indeed they well deserve. Our figure was taken from plants in very great perfection, at J. Vere’s, esq. Kensington Gore, in the month of July.[Pg 61]
PLATE CCCXCI.
NYMPHÆA LOTUS.
The Ægyptian Lotus.
CLASS XIII. ORDER I.
POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Many Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla polypetala. Calyx 4-s. 5-phyllus. Bacca multilocularis, loculis polyspermis.
Blossom many-petaled. Empalement 4-or 5-leaved. Berry many-celled, with many seeds in each cell.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Nymphæa, foliis cordatis dentatis glaberrimis lobis approximatis, calyce tetraphyllo. Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 1153.
Nymphæa, with heart-shaped dentated very smooth leaves, with the lobes approximated, and a four-leaved empalement.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The seed-bud and pointal. 2. A chive. 3. A transverse section of the seed-bud. 4. A capsule.
There can be no doubt, but that the plant here figured is the true “Nymphæa Lotus” of Linnæus, and that it is the plant mentioned by Pliny in Nat. Hist. lib. 13. cap. 17. and lib. 22. cap. 21. He there makes mention of a plant which is found at the ebbing of the Nile, the fruit of which resembles a poppy, and the seed of the size of millet: this exactly answers to the “Nymphæa” before us, and does not at all apply to the “Nelumbium,” the kernels of which are of the size of nuts or thereabouts: he also remarks that the heads are dried by the natives, and that the seed is beat and broken and made into bread.—Herodotus also mentions that the Egyptians baked the seed into bread, and ate of the roots, or rather tubercles, which resembled an apple and had an agreeable flavour. Vide Euterpe 92—Melpomene 177.
Sonnini, in his Voyages, mentions the Lotus as being most abundant in Egypt, and having white flowers; and I apprehend the red one to be nothing but a variety of this.
When we know that the Egyptians worship the Nile, as the Indians do the Ganges, we cannot wonder that a plant so beautiful, and so abundant in that river, should also become an object of adoration; and we find it continually though roughly engraved on their idols.—Indeed Pierius, in his Hieroglyphics, mentions that the Egyptians worshipped the Lotus as the type of the rising Sun.—It is always found on the statues of Osiris, the Egyptian Apollo; it is also to be seen on the medals struck in Egypt by the Romans, and especially during the reign of Adrian, who held it in such veneration, that the medals which that Emperor caused to be struck in Egypt, in honour of his favourite Antinoüs, uniformly represent the latter with the Lotus on his head; whence the expression “Antinoëan crown.”—Various animals in the Hieroglyphics appear to have it, as the hawk, the lion, and the ram. It is to be seen on most of, though not all, their deities; as Jupiter Ammon, Iris, Serapis, Orus, Canopus, and most particularly on Harpocrates, who is often figured sitting in the midst of it.—See Cuper’s Harpocrates, passim. The Lotus symbolizes Plenty on many of the medals of Egypt and Sicily, probably from being so great an article of food among the inhabitants, and from its generally appearing at the reflux of the Nile, when the banks were again open to the various uses they might be put to. Whether or not the Lotus here figured, which I think I have sufficiently proved to be the true Egyptian one, is the same which grows in the Ganges, and is in such high veneration throughout the continent of India, China, and Japan, can only be proved by a comparison of the two together: certain however it is, that a plant of great similarity to it, if not quite the same, is to be found on most of their idols also; and as the Ganges is worshipped so may the Lotus be, with which it abounds. It expands in the dusk of the evening, and closes about ten in the morning.
To the Right Honourable the Marquis of Blandford we are indebted for the description of this very interesting plant, accompanied by a fine living specimen from his splendid collection at White Knights near Reading, Berks.[Pg 63]
PLATE CCCXCII.
IXIA COLUMNARIS, var. angustifolia.
Columnar-chived Ixia. Narrowed-leaved Var.
CLASS III. ORDER I.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla sex-petala patens æqualis. Stigmata tria erectiusculo-patula.
Blossom 6-petals spreading equal. Summits three upright-spreading.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ixia, filamentis basi cohærentibus; floribus subcapitatis, petalis purpureis basi saturatioribus, foliis lineari-ensiformibus.
Ixia, with threads united at the base, flowers rather in heads, petals purple with darker bases, and linear-sword-shaped leaves.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The two valves of the sheath.
2.An entire flower, cut open in the tube only, which is extended nearly to the end of the threads.
3.The chives cut open and magnified.
4. The pointal complete, one of the summits detached and magnified
The figure which accompanies this description represents the narrowest-leaved variety of the columnar-chived Ixia hitherto introduced into the British gardens.
Like the other varieties already figured in this work, it is a native of the Cape of Good Hope; and like them must be treated as a Cape-bulb; requiring only the protection of the green-house, and a mixture of loam and peat; and no water during its quiescent state.
It flowers in June or July, and is a very brilliant variety. Our figure was taken some time since at Messrs. Colvill’s, Nurserymen in the King’s Road.[Pg 65]
PLATE CCCXCIII.
FUMARIA FORMOSA.
Beautiful Fumitory.
CLASS XVII. ORDER II.
DIADELPHIA HEXANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Six Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx diphyllus. Corolla ringens. Filamenta duo membranacea, singula antheris tribus.
Empalement two-leaved. Blossom gaping. Threads two, membranaceous, each with three tips.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Fumaria, scapis erectis, pedunculis cernuis subtrifloris bracteatis, corollis basi bilobis.
Fumitory, with erect stalks, cernuous nearly 3-flowered bracteated peduncles, and blossoms two-lobed at the base.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.A flower spread open, showing the insertion of the chives, with one filament detached and magnified.
3.The seed-bud and pointal, the summit magnified.
The beautiful species of Fumaria which we have here represented is a hardy plant; but of what country it is a native, or by whom first introduced into the British gardens, we have yet to learn; neither have we hitherto been able to ascertain it in any author. Our drawing was made from very fine specimens communicated to us by William Anderson, botanic gardener to James Vere, esq. Kensington Gore, in whose collection it flowered copiously in the month of June last.
It is allied to the tuberous-rooted species; and perhaps nearer to Fumaria nobilis than any other: succeeds very well in a mixture of peat earth and loam, but prefers a sheltered and a somewhat shaded situation; and makes a very fine appearance when in flower: it also possesses unusual elegance in its foliage.[Pg 67]
PLATE CCCXCIV.
MIMOSA LINIFOLIA.
Flax-leaved Mimosa.
CLASS XXIII. ORDER I.
POLYGAMIA MONŒCIA. Various Dispositions upon one Plant.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Hermaph. Calyx 5-dentatus. Corolla 5-fida. Stamina 5 sive plura. Pistillum 1. Legumen.
Mascul. Calyx 5-dentatus. Corolla 5-fida. Stamina 5-10, sive plura.
Hermaph. Empalement 5-toothed. Blossom 5-cleft. Chives 5 or more. Pointal 1. A Pod.
Male. Empalement 5-toothed. Blossom 5-cleft. Chives 5-10, or more.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Mimosa, foliis sparsis suberectis angustissime linearibus.
Mimosa, with scattered erectish very narrow linear leaves.
Mimosa linifolia. Ventenat Plantes Nouvelles, tab. 2.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement and blossom magnified.
2.The empalement detached and magnified.
3.A chive magnified.
4. The seed-bud and pointal magnified
The Mimosa linifolia is a native of New South Wales, from whence it was introduced to this country several years ago.
It has been considered in the gardens as a new species, and is known under the name of pinifolia; but as it has been recently named linifolia, by M. Ventenat in his Plantes Nouvelles, from plants which we believe were sent to France from England, we have adopted the latter name.
It is a very elegant greenhouse shrub; and arises with stiff erect slender branches to the height of several feet, and does not flower when young.
The Flax-leaved Mimosa is propagated chiefly by seeds, and either not at all, or with great difficulty, from cuttings; and is usually cultivated in light rich earth.
The individual here represented flowered very fine in the month of May at Mrs. Wright’s, Bayswater; where our drawing was made.[Pg 69]
PLATE CCCXCV.
ANTHERICUM PANICULATUM.
Panicled Anthericum.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx patens aut connivens. Stamina filamentis filiformibus hirsutis. Stigma 1. Semina angulata. Juss. Gen. Pl. 52.
Empalement expanding or converging. Chives thread-shaped hairy. Summit 1. Seeds angulated.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Anthericum, foliis canaliculato-ensiformibus gramineis, scapo paniculato diffuso, radice tuberosâ.
Anthericum, with channel-sword-shaped grassy leaves, diffuse panicled flower-stem, and a tuberous root.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A leaf.
2.The chives and pointal.
3.The pointal and seed-bud, the summit magnified.
4. The seed-bud magnified
The Anthericum paniculatum is a native of New Holland, and was lately introduced from that country to this. In its tuberous root and woolly filaments, it accords very well with the genus Anthericum, as defined by Jussieu, in his celebrated Genera Plantarum; yet recedes from it in wanting thick and fleshy leaves; which all the African species of that genus have: hence it approximates, in habit at least, the genus Phalangium of Jussieu, which Willdenow makes a division only of Anthericum.
But there is nothing peculiarly remarkable in the present species differing a little from its African congeners, because most of the Australasian plants differ in some very striking particular or other from their nearest affinities in all other parts of the world; and very often constitute new genera.
It succeeds with the treatment of the Cape species, loves water, when in active growth; continues in flower several of the summer months, and is propagated by parting its roots in autumn, and by seeds, which it sometimes perfects in this country.[Pg 71]
PLATE CCCXCVI.
CAMPANULA VERSICOLOR.
Various-coloured Bell-flower.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla campanulata, fundo clauso valvis staminiferis. Stigma 3-fidum. Capsula infera poris lateralibus dehiscens.
Corolla bell-shaped with the mouth closed by staminiferous valves. Summit 3-cleft. Capsule beneath gaping with lateral pores.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Campanula, foliis glabris cordato-ovatis undulatis, foliolis calycinis subulatis reflexis, corollis rotato-campanulatis.
Bell-flower, with smooth heart-ovate waved leaves, calyx leaflets awl-shaped reflexed, and wheel-bell-shaped blossoms.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A radical leaf.
2.The empalement, chives and pointal.
3.A chive.
4. The seed-bud and pointal
Without a doubt the present is not only a new species, but likewise one of the most showy in the extensive genus Campanula; nearly all the individuals of which have charms enough to entitle them to a place in the flower-garden.
When our readers are told that it is an inhabitant of Greece, most of them will readily perceive it is the very species announced in our last number, as one that in beauty surpasses the fairest of the fair, and was communicated to us, as well as the laciniata, by the Hon. W. H. Irby, of Farnham Royal, Bucks.
It was first raised from seeds brought to this country from Greece, by the late and much regretted Professor Sibthorp. There are two or three varieties of it, which are all hardy, and flower in July; rising to the height of about two feet, and making a very splendid appearance. They succeed best in peat earth and loam; and are propagated by seeds and by parting their roots: and are at present much sought after by all collectors.[Pg 73]
PLATE CCCXCVII.
STEWARTIA MARILANDICA.
Maryland Stewartia.
CLASS XVI. ORDER XIII.
MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA. One Brotherhood. Many Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx quinquepartitus. Petala quinque. Stamina numerosa. Stylus 1. Stigma capitatum subquinquelobum. Capsula lignosa conica, calyci reflexo persistenti insidens, quinquelocularis quinquevalvis, valvis crassis ligneis medio septiferis; loculis 1-2-spermis. Uster’s Juss. Gen. Pl. 324.
Empalement five-parted. Petals five. Chives numerous. Style one. Summit headed somewhat five-lobed. Capsule woody conical, sitting on the reflexed persistent empalement, five-celled five-valved, with the valves thick woody and with partitions in the middle; with cells one-or two-seeded.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Stewartia, foliis alternis ellipticis acuminatis obsolete et remote serrulatis, subtus villosis; floribus solitariis albis.
Stewartia, with alternate elliptic acuminated obscurely and remotely serrulated leaves, hairy beneath; and solitary white flowers.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The calyx, seed-bud and pointal.
2. The chives spread open
The Stewartia, which we have here represented, is known and cultivated in His Majesty’s, and in various other collections of plants in the vicinity of the metropolis, under the name of Marilandica; under which title it likewise occurs in the third edition of Donn’s Hortus Cantabrigiensis: but we do not find the name in any other book: neither can we, for want of sufficient specimens, ascertain whether it is specifically distinct from Stewartia virginica, or a variety only of that species. From S. virginica, however, as figured by Cavanilles in his Dissertationes, (tab. 159) it appears to differ, in having larger and much less serrated leaves, and in their being villose beneath; and likewise in its larger and entirely white petals. Cavanilles’ plant has one of its petals of a yellow-green colour. From Stewartia Malachodendron it is known, at first sight, by its entire, not lacerated petals; independent of the other generical distinctions, according to Jussieu and Cavanilles, which exist between them.
The Maryland Stewartia is, as its name imports, a native of Maryland in America. It is a hardy shrub, and is propagated by layers; but does not thrive unless in a moist situation, planted in a mixture of peat earth and a little loam; and flowers in August and September.
The plant here figured was obligingly communicated to us, in bloom, by the Marquis of Blandford, with whom it flowered in July last, we believe for the first time in this country.[Pg 75]
PLATE CCCXCVIII.
WACHENDORFIA VILLOSA.
Villose Wachendorfia.
CLASS III. ORDER I.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla sex-petala, inæqualis, infera. Capsula trilocularis, supera.
Blossom six-petalled, unequal, beneath. Capsule above three-celled.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Wachendorfia, foliis lineari-ensiformibus plicatis triplinerviis, cauleque villosis, floribus paniculatis.
Wachendorfia, with the triple-nerved plicated linear-sword-shaped leaves, and stem villous; and panicled flowers.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A floral leaf.
2.The chives and pointal.
3.The pointal and summit magnified.
4. The seed-bud cut transversely
The villous-leaved Wachendorfia is not enumerated in Professor Willdenow’s new edition of Species Plantarum, and appears to be a new species. It is very closely allied to W. hirsuta, but differs sufficiently from that species in the shape of the leaves. It is likewise extremely near akin to W. graminea, which, however, is destitute of all pubescence, whilst ours is pubescent all over. Its flowers are yellow, like those of hirsuta and paniculata; it rises to the height of a foot and a half, prospers with the usual treatment of Cape Bulbs; and was communicated to us in flower, in June last, by W. Anderson, botanic gardener to J. Vere, Esq. Kensington Gore, where it flowers in great perfection, and increases pretty readily by the roots.[Pg 77]
PLATE CCCXCIX.
COMMELINA TUBEROSA.
Tuberous-rooted Commelina.
CLASS III. ORDER I.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla sex-petala. Nectaria quinque, cruciata, filamentis propriis inserta.
Blossom, six-petalled. Nectaries five, cross-shaped, inserted on their proper filaments.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Commelina, corollis æqualibus, foliis sessilibus ovato-lanceolatis, subtus villosis et inde ciliatis, radice tuberosâ.
Commelina tuberosa. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 251.—Dill. Elth. t. 79.
Commelina, with equal flowers, sessile ovate-spear-shaped leaves, villose beneath and thence ciliated, and a tuberous root.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement, chives, and pointal.
2.A petal.
3.One of the nectaries.
4.A chive magnified.
5. The seed-bud and pointal, ummit magnified
The herbaceous genus Commelina is a very singular one; and many of its species are remarkable, not so much for the size, as for the structure and brilliancy of their flowers; which, according to the words of the generic character, ought to have six petals: but the present species appears to have but three petals, the three outer being entirely of the nature of a calyx; and effectually answering the purposes of one.
The tuberous-rooted Commelina is a native of Mexico, and in this country requires the treatment of a hot-house herbaceous plant. It is an old, but not common inhabitant of the British gardens; thrives well in rich earth, and is propagated by dividing the tubers of its root, when in a quiescent state; at which period much water is particularly inimical to it.
The genus Commelina can only be distinguished from Tradescantia when the flowers are open; but nevertheless differs very sufficiently, not only in having double the number of stamina, but more especially in the extraordinary cruciform nectaries.
Our drawing was made from very complete specimens communicated to us by the Hon. W. H. Irby, of Farnham Royal, Bucks.[Pg 79]
PLATE CCCC.
EUCALYPTUS RESINIFERA.
Resinous Eucalyptus.
CLASS XII. ORDER I.
ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. About Twenty Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx superus persistens truncatus, ante anthesin tectus operculo integerrimo deciduo. Corolla nulla. Capsula quadrilocularis, apice dehiscens polysperma.
Empalement above persistent truncated, before the flowering covered by an entire deciduous lid. Blossom none. Capsule four-celled, gaping at the point and many-seeded.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Eucalyptus, operculo conico tereti coriaceo calyce duplo longiori, umbellis lateralibus solitariis. Smith in Linn. Tr. 3. p. 284.—Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 977.
Eucalyptus, with a conical columnar leathery lid twice the length of the empalement, and lateral solitary umbels.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A bud in its infant state.
2.The calyptra or lid, when in perfection.
3.A chive magnified.
4. The pointal and seed-bud
This species of the genus Eucalyptus, a genus well characterized from the singular operculum, which, instead of a corolla, defends the infantile fructification from external injuries, is a native of New South Wales; and was introduced, by seeds from that country, into our gardens, along with some other Eucalypti, several years ago; but has never flowered in Britain until the present summer, in Lady de Clifford’s collection at Paddington, where our drawing was made in July last.
It is a shrub of considerable size, and handsome growth and foliage; and its younger shoots droop considerably, after the very elegant manner so much admired in the weeping willow.
But the most singular trait in the plant is its tardy and protracted mode of flowering. It has already shown flowers, which it will not expand until next July: they are scarce half the size they will then be, and have upon the tip of the large calyptra one of a far smaller size, but similar in shape, and which will soon fall off, as will also the large one, a little previous to the expansion of the stamina next July.
It requires a great deal of root-room, and rich earth; is a very hardy green-house plant, and has hitherto been propagated by imported seeds only.[Pg 81]
PLATE CCCCI.
SERRATULA SPICATA.
Spiked-flowered Saw-wort.
CLASS XIX. ORDER I.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA ÆQUALIS. Tips united. Æqual Polygamy.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx subcylindricus, imbricatus, muticus.
Empalement nearly cylindrical, imbricated, without awns.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Serratula, foliis linearibus, basi ciliatis, floribus sessilibus lateralibus spicatis, caule simplici. Gmel. Syst. Nat. 2. 1185.—Ait. Hort. Kew. 3. 138.
Serratula, with linear leaves, ciliated at the base, sessile lateral spiked flowers, and a simple stem.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A radical leaf.
2.The empalement spread open.
3.A floret.
4.The same, cut open.
5. The seed-bud and pointal
The Serratula spicata is a native of Carolina; but has been cultivated in the gardens of this country ever since the year 1732; notwithstanding which it is by no means a frequent plant in collections; which I should conceive arises from its being rather difficult to increase.
Although a syngenesious plant, its root is of the tuberous kind; which is a peculiarity almost unparalleled in that extensive class. The flowering-stems shoot up late in spring, and are chiefly simple: they rise to the height of one or two feet, furnished with long linear leaves; the uppermost of which are gradually shortened, and they are all more or less ciliated near the base; but in this respect they are either liable to differ very considerably, or there are several varieties (perhaps species) of the plant. There is likewise another strikingly singular trait in the character of this Serratula: the flowers commence opening at the top of the spike first, and continue flowering downwards; instead of upwards, in the usual manner; which is a circumstance I cannot recollect having seen in any other plants; except Agave virginica and Allium descendens. Cultivators usually suppose the name of the last-mentioned plant to apply to its roots striking deep into the earth: but this we apprehend is an erroneous supposition; for it is clearly allusive to its perverted mode of flowering.
The spiked-flowered Saw-wort flowers in July, loves a light soil in the open air; and is propagated, although slowly, by parting its roots after the stems die down.
Gmelin queries, and with propriety, in his edition of Systema Naturæ above cited, whether S. spicata, and S. squarrosa, (another North American species,) are not generically distinct from the other Serratulæ.
Our drawing was made from plants in the collection of Lady de Clifford, at Paddington.[Pg 83]
PLATE CCCCII.
CLEMATIS FLORIDA.
Large-flowered Virgin’s Bower.
CLASS XIII. ORDER VI.
POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. Many Chives. Many Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx nullus. Petala quatuor, rarius quinque. Semina caudata.
Empalement none. Petals four, rarely five. Seeds tailed.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Clematis, foliis decompositis, foliolis binatis ternatisque, petalis ovatis. Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 1287.
Clematis, with decompound leaves, leaflets in twos and threes, and egg-shaped petals.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A petal.
2.The chives and pointals.
3. The pointals
The large-flowered Virgin’s Bower was introduced into the English gardens, in the year 1776, from Japan; of which country it is a native; and possesses by much the largest and most showy flowers in the whole genus.
Although introduced so long since, it is not often met with. Our drawing was made from very fine plants in the collection of Messrs. Colvill, Nurserymen in the King’s Road, in the month of July last; where they made an exceeding fine appearance.
Like many of the Japanese plants, it is found capable of resisting the severity of our ordinary winters, without receiving much injury.
It thrives best when trained against a wall or other fence, planted in rich soil; and is usually propagated by laying down the lowest branches in a careful manner; which take root in due time, and may then be safely separated from the mother plant.[Pg 85]
PLATE CCCCIII.
IPOMÆA GRANDIFLORA.
Great-flowered Ipomæa.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx quinquefidus. Corolla infundibuliformis longa, limbo plicato quinquefido aut quinquedentato. Stigma capitatum. Capsula trilocularis polysperma. Uster’s Juss. Gen. Pl. 149.
Empalement five-cleft. Blossom funnel-shaped long, with a five-cleft or five-dentated border. Summit headed. Capsule three-celled, with many seeds in each cell.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Ipomæa, foliis cordatis acuminatis integerrimis, pedunculis subunifloris.
Ipomæa, with heart-shaped acuminated very entire leaves, and chiefly one-flowered peduncles.
Convolvulus grandiflorus, foliis cordatis ovatis obtusiusculis integerrimis, pedunculis subbifloris, calycibus coriaceis, caule petiolisque pubescentibus. Linn. Supp. Pl. 136.—Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 859.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.The tube of the flower cut open, to show the structure and insertion of the chives.
3.The pointal.
4. A capsule nearly ripe, cut horizontally and lifted up to show the seeds
This magnificent species of Ipomæa (the Convolvulus grandiflorus of authors) was obligingly communicated to us in bloom in the month of September, by A. B. Lambert, Esq. who thinks that its root will only prove an annual one. If this indeed should eventually be the case, it will cause it to recede in a material manner from the Convolvulus grandiflorus as described in the Supplementum Plantarum, and consequently in Willdenow’s Species Plantarum, which is there said to be an arborescent species: from C. grandiflorus it should also appear to differ, in its more pointed leaves and solitary peduncles; and likewise in having a stigma agreeing altogether in structure with the genus Ipomæa; which latter circumstance has occasioned us to separate it from Convolvulus, and transfer it to Ipomæa; because the conformation of the stigma in those extensive genera, often (but we fear not always) affords the most satisfactory characters for discrimination. All their species which we have examined, (and they have been very numerous,) possibly might be united into one genus, without committing much outrage against nature, or the natural affinities of her vegetable kingdom.[Pg 87]
PLATE CCCCIV.
MORÆA MINIATA.
Red-lead-coloured Moræa.
CLASS III. ORDER I.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla hexapetala; petala tria interiora patentia; angustiora. Stigma trifidum.
Blossom six-petalled, the three interior ones spreading. Summit trifid.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Moræa, monadelphia, scapo tereti ramoso, foliis lineari-ensiformibus, caulinis spathaceis, petalis expansis sub-æqualibus ovalibus.
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.
Toothed-flowered Primula.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx tubulosus quinquedentatus persistens. Corolla tubulosa quinqueloba, fauce perviâ. Capsula apice decemvalvis. Uster’s Juss. Gen. Pl. 108.
Empalement tubulose five-toothed persistent. Blossom tubulose five-lobed, with a pervious throat. Capsule at the apex ten-valved.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Primula, foliis cordatis crenato-lobatis prærugosis, corollis acute dentatis.
Primula, with heart-shaped crenatedly lobed very rough leaves, and sharply dentated flowers.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.A blossom laid open, to show the insertion and structure of the chives.
3.The seed-bud and pointal.
4. The same magnified
The species of the favourite genus Primula which we have here represented, is a very elegant one; and greatly resembles P. cortusifolia, which is figured on our 7th plate; but differs from it in the extraordinary denticulations of the flowers; which we have been assured are a constant and permanent character of the plant, and, if so, affords an excellent and decisive mark of specific distinction, and at the same time a trivial name of undeniable goodness. We have not been able to ascertain with any kind of certainty its native place of growth. It was communicated to us in bloom in the month of September last, from the select collection of Lady de Clifford, at Paddington, and is found to be a hardy plant, and to succeed with the treatment of the other Primulæ; that is, as an alpine plant in bog earth, and a small portion of loam; and protected in summer from the mid-day and afternoon, but not the morning or evening sun. It is propagated by parting the roots in autumn; and as a new and at the same time beautiful Primula, it cannot fail to be acceptable to all our subscribers.[Pg 91]
PLATE CCCCVI.
APONOGETON MONOSTACHYON.
Simple-spiked Aponogeton.
CLASS XI. ORDER IV.
DODECANDRIA TETRAGYNIA. Twelve Chives. Four Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Amentum e squamis compositum. Calyx nullus. Corolla nulla. Capsulæ 4, trispermæ.
Catkin composed of scales. Empalement none. Blossom none. Capsules 4, three-seeded.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Aponogeton, spicâ simplici, foliis cordato-ovalibus. Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 927.
Aponogeton, with a simple spike, and heart-oval shaped leaves.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The chives detached.
2.The pointals detached.
3. The same magnified
Four species only of this singular genus have hitherto been enumerated by authors: viz. the present one from the East Indies; crispum, a native of Ceylon; and angustifolium and distachyon, from the Cape of Good Hope; the last of which is the most showy, and is figured on our 290th plate.
They are all water plants, and could no more thrive with their roots and natant leaves out of that element than an Aloe or Stapelia could prosper in it: they are therefore, along with other tropical aquatics, cultivated in our hot-houses in troughs or cisterns of rich earth and clear water; in which, consociated with the majestic Nymphææ, the stately Thalia, and the more humble but not less interesting Menyanthes indica, they produce a most fragrant and desirable appearance; that perhaps is indebted for some of its charms to the fine contrast formed by the terrestrial exotics which surround them.
In a collection of tropical plants, where a few cisterns of aquatics are judiciously interspersed, the oppressive heat of the stove in which they grow, is as it were delusively alleviated, “in the mind’s eye,” by the simple, yet cooling sight of the little pools of water in which they float. Few are the number of observers who contemplate them without imbibing pleasure. This unquestionably arises from the strong but agreeable contrast that is exhibited to the eye, by the happy junction of the productions of the waters with those of the earth. They are vegetables of widely different orders—productions of very different natures—and inhabitants of elements diametrically opposite.
The simple-spiked Aponogeton produces roundish tubers in various parts of its shoots; by the transplantation of which the plant is readily and speedily propagated. Our drawing of it was made in July last, at J. Vere’s, Esq. Kensington Gore, in whose collection it thrives very well. We have not as yet seen it in any other.[Pg 93]
PLATE CCCCVII.
CALENDULA DENTATA.
Toothed-leaved Marygold.
CLASS XIX. ORDER IV.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA NECESSARIA. Tips united. Necessary Polygamy.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Receptaculum nudum. Pappus nullus. Calyx polyphyllus, subæqualis. Semina disci utplurimum membranacea.
Receptacle naked. Pappus none. Empalement many-leaved, nearly equal. The seeds of the disk chiefly membranous.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Calendula, foliis alternis linearibus remote et acute dentatis; caule fruticoso decumbente.
Marygold, with alternate linear remotely and acutely dentated leaves, and a decumbent shrubby stem.
Calendula dentata. Donn’s Hort. Cantab. ed. 3. 163.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.A floret of the circumference.
3.A floret of the disk.
4.The same laid open and magnified, to show the situation of the chives.
5. The pointal, with the summit detached and magnified
Although this species of Calendula appears to have been introduced to the British gardens so long since as the year 1790, from the Cape of Good Hope, its native country; I do not find it enumerated either in Mr. Aiton’s Hortus Kewensis or Gmelin’s edition of Systema Naturæ; but it will in all probability be taken up in Willdenow’s Species Plantarum, when he arrives at that part of it which is to include the genus Calendula.
It is well known in the gardens by the applicable name of dentata, but is not a common plant,—although, from the beauty and size of its flowers, highly worthy of general cultivation: its branches are weak, yet shrubby; and require support.
It is a green-house plant, and is propagated by cuttings in the usual way. Our drawing was made from the Clapham collection in July last.[Pg 95]
PLATE CCCCVIII.
DAHLIA PINNATA.
Pinnated Dahlia.
CLASS XIX. ORDER II.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx duplex. Corolla radiata, radiis lacinias calycis numero æquantibus: corollulæ pedicellatæ. Receptaculum paleaceum. Stigmata plumosa.
Empalement double. Blossom radiated, with the rays equalling in number the segments of the empalement: the florets pedicelled. Receptacle chaffy. Tips plumose.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Dahlia, foliis oppositis, impari-pinnatis; pinnulis quinque, ovatis, crenato-dentatis. Cav. Ic. 1. 57. tab. 80.
Dahlia, with leaves opposite, pinnated with an odd one; the pinnules five, ovate, and notch-dentated.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A young flower with the peduncle and empalement.
2.One of the radiating florets with its pedicel.
3.A floret of the disk.
4.The same spread open, to show the chives and pointal.
5. The pointal detached, with the summit magnified
The genus Dahlia was first established by the celebrated botanist Cavanilles[E], (in honour of Andrew Dahl, a Swedish botanist, not Dale an Englishman,) for three lofty, thick-rooted, perennial plants, natives of the distant regions of Peru; but all of which we have had the recent pleasure of seeing alive in the overflowing gardens of our own happy country. They are extremely desirable and showy plants; and none of them more so than the present one; which was raised from seeds sent from Madrid last spring, by the Right Hon. Lady Holland, and flowered last September and October, in the open ground, in her Ladyship’s collection at Holland House, Kensington; where our drawing was lately made. It has acquired the stately height of near eight feet, with a circumference of three; and makes indeed a truly specious appearance: but we do not expect it will ripen its seeds; the season being too far advanced to encourage any reasonable hope of that nature.
The best mode of propagation should seem to be that of dividing its somewhat tuberous roots, after the stems die down. As to treatment, we see no valid reason why it, and both the other Dahliæ, (the coccinea and rosea,) should not be treated as hardy herbaceous plants; placed in rich earth and a warm situation. But as they are both rare and valuable, it may at present be safer to consider them as green-house plants, keeping them in very large pots and well watered, until their stems show symptoms of dying down; when moisture must be administered with a sparing hand.
There are considerable reasons for thinking that the pinnated Dahlia will hereafter be raised with double flowers, because the figure in Cavanilles’ Icones, above cited, represents them nearly semi-double; and the doubling of radiated syngenesious plants is well known to horticulturists to be a circumstance of pretty frequent occurrence.
[E] The public have now to regret the loss of this valuable botanist; they are deprived of him: he died in May last at Madrid, aged 59.[Pg 97]
PLATE CCCCIX.
PROTEA SCOLYMUS.
Smooth-leaved Protea.
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla quadrifida sive quadripetala. Antheræ lineares insertæ petalis infra apicem. Calyx proprius nullus. Nux unisperma supera.
Blossom four-cleft or four-petaled. Tips linear, inserted on the petals below the apex. Empalement proper, none. Nut one-seeded above.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Protea, foliis lanceolatis acutis capituloque terminali rotundo glabris.
Protea Scolymus. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 522.—Schrad. Sert. Hann. tab. 20.—Ait. Hort. Kew. 1. 127.
Protea, with lance-shaped acute smooth leaves and a round terminal smooth head of flowers.
Leucodendron (Scolymocephalum) foliis lanceolatis, floribus subrotundis, caule fruticoso ramoso. Linn. Sp. Pl. 2. 153.
Lepidocarpodendron acaulon, ramis numerosis e terra excrescens, calyce floris immaturo extus e rubro et flavo variegato, intus flavo. Boerh. Lugb. 2. p. 192. tab. 192.
Scolymocephalus africanus, fruticis æthiopici coniferi Breynii foliis, capite majori squamato. Raj. H. 3. 10.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A floret detached.
2.A petal with its tip magnified.
3. The seed-bud and pointal
The Protea Scolymus grows spontaneously on the Tiger mountain at the Cape of Good Hope; but has long been an inhabitant of European conservatories, although a rare one. It was well known to several of the old botanists, who appear to have differed much concerning the generical appellations which they thought proper to bestow upon it; as will appear on consulting the synonyms above. They made several genera of Proteæ; but the botanists of later times have melted them all down (we fear injudiciously) into one great genus: and Schrader has even added Lambertia to Protea; and figured it in his Sertum Hannoverianum, under the name of Protea nectarina; thereby alluding to the sweet juice which abounds in the tubes of its flowers:—melliflua would have been a still more expressive term. The smooth-leaved Protea requires the same treatment as the rest of the genus, and is a very fine species, producing its flowers in May and June. Our figure was taken at the Clapham collection.[Pg 99]
PLATE CCCCX.
CYNANCHUM UNDATUM.
Waved Cynanchum.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. Five Chives. Two Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Contorta. Nectarium cylindricum, quinquedentatum.
Contorted. Honey-cup cylindrical, five-toothed.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Cynanchum, caule volubili, foliis cordatis oblongis obtusis cum acumine undatisque, umbellis axillaribus subproliferis.
Cynanchum, with a twining stem, heart-shaped oblong blunt leaves, but with a sudden point, and waved, axillary somewhat proliferous umbels.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.The blossom spread open.
3.The outer scale of the honey-cup.
4.The parts of fructification magnified.
5.The inner scale of the honey-cup.
6.The outside of the same.
7. The seed-bud, shaft, summit and chives magnified
The Waved Cynanchum is more remarkable for novelty than beauty; yet, as an addition to our volubilous exotics, it possesses sufficient elegance to render it worthy our attention: especially as climbing plants have of late years become quite fashionable in most of the best conservatories in the vicinity of London.
As a species, we conceive it to be perfectly nondescript, although it should seem to possess several characters in common with Cynanchum reticulatum, and C. undulatum of Willdenow, &c.; both of which are known to us, but are described as having ovate, or oblong, not heart-shaped leaves. C. reticulatum is also a native of the same country, the East Indies; from whence seeds of the undatum were brought in the year 1803 by Captain Thomas Hardwicke; and were raised in the collection of the Marquis of Blandford, at White Knights, Berks, where they flowered last July; when that nobleman obligingly communicated to us the specimen from which the annexed figure was made.
The Waved Cynanchum is a hot-house plant, and requires nearly the same treatment as Pergularia minor of our 184th plate.[Pg 101]
PLATE CCCCXI.
PSORALEA SPICATA.
Spiked-flowered Psoralea.
CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.
DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx longitudine leguminis. Stamina diadelpha. Legumen monospermum subrostratum evalve.
Empalement the length of the pod. Chives diadelphous. Pod one-seeded roundish and valveless.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Psoralea, foliolis obovatis recurvato-mucronatis subtus punctatis, spica terminali oblonga. Willd. Sp. Pl. 3. 1345.
Psoralea, with leaflets inversely egg-shaped, recurvedly mucronated and dotted beneath, and an oblong terminal spike of flowers.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.A standard.
3.One of the wings.
4.The keel.
5.The chives and pointal.
6. The seed-bud and pointal
The spiked-flowered Psoralea is a shrubby plant, and rises to the height of a foot or two; producing its spikes of flowers in the months of July and August, at the ends of its branches. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and in this country is found to succeed very well in any green-house which has a flue to keep out the frost: and is propagated by seeds, and also by cuttings if carefully managed. Although not a very newly-introduced plant, it is certainly not a frequent one in our gardens; indeed we do not recollect having ever seen it in any collection, except the Nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton; where our drawing was made some time since; and where it was considered and treated as a new species: which, however, as appears by our synonym above given, is not the case.[Pg 103]
PLATE CCCCXII.
CALENDULA VISCOSA.
Viscous Marygold.
CLASS XIX. ORDER II.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA NECESSARIA. Tips united. Necessary Polygamy.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Receptaculum nudum. Pappus nullus. Calyx polyphyllus, subæqualis. Semina disci utplurimum membranacea.
Receptacle naked. Pappus none. Empalement many-leaved, nearly equal. The seeds of the disk chiefly membranous.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Calendula, viscosa, foliis alternis lineari-cuneatis pinnatifido-dentatis, calycibus lucidis tomentoso-ciliatis, caule fruticoso debili.
Marygold, viscous, with alternate linear-cuneated pinnatifid-toothed leaves, shining tomentosely-ciliated empalements, and a weak shrubby stem.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2.A floret of the ray.
3.A floret of the disk.
4.The same magnified.
5.The corolla spread open and magnified.
6. The seed-bud and pointal
The figure annexed represents a new and very ornamental species of the genus Calendula, which we lately discovered flowering beautifully, amongst many other rare plants in the charming collection of exotics at George Hibbert’s, esq. Clapham; where it was lately raised from seeds, sent to him, we believe, from the Cape of Good Hope, of which country we understand it is a native.
It is a shrubby species, and possesses much of the growth and habit of Calendula dentata of our last number; and indeed in most things, except its considerable viscosity and the colour of its flowers, exhibits a very great similitude to that species; and will be found to succeed with the same treatment and mode of propagation; but is in every respect a much more desirable plant.[Pg 105]
PLATE CCCCXIII.
GERANIUM HYMENODES.
Ternate-leaved Geranium.
CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.
MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Monogyna. Stigmata quinque. Fructus rostratus pentacoccus.
One Pointal. Five summits. Fruit beaked, five berries.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Geranium, pedunculis multifloris, foliis obtusis inciso-dentatis, inferioribus ternatis, superioribus trilobis, caule erecto.
Geranium, with many-flowered peduncles, obtuse gash-dentated leaves, the inferior ones ternate, the superior three-lobed, and an erect stem.
Geranium (trifolium) caule herbaceo crasso ramoso, foliis radicalibus ternatis lobatis, caulinis oppositis simplicibus lobatis, petalis venosis, superioribus maculatis. Cav. Diss. 4. p. 223. tab. 97. fig. 3.
Erodium hymenodes. L’Herit. Geran. tab. 4.
Erodium hymenodes. Willd. Spec. Pl. 3. 635.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement and parts of fructification.
2.The seed-bud, chives and pointal magnified.
3.The seed-bud and pointals.
4. The same magnified
The ternate-leaved Geranium belongs to L’Heritier’s genus Erodium. It is a native of mountainous, rocky situations, in the northern parts of Africa; but has been cultivated in most of our best collections of exotics several seasons; yet is not so frequently met with as it deserves to be, on account of the unusual delicacy in the veining and spotting of its flowers; which, from their size and number, make a good appearance; and are produced in succession most part of the year. The plant itself is of very humble, scarcely shrubby growth; yet rises somewhat higher than the real tuberous species; to which, however, in its contracted, thickened stems, it betrays a considerable affinity. It is propagated readily by seeds, and likewise by cuttings; and stands out in the open ground in mild winters uninjured, although it is generally killed in severe ones; which renders it necessary to preserve a supply of it in the conservatory.[Pg 107]
PLATE CCCCXIV.
CRASSULA OBLIQUA.
Oblique-leaved Crassula.
CLASS V. ORDER V.
PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Five Chives. Five Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx pentaphyllus. Petala quinque. Squamæ quinque nectariferæ ad basin germinis.
Empalement five-leaved. Petals five. Five honey-bearing pores at the base of the germ.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.