[5] By Miller, in 1731.
[447]
[Illustration: Nº. 447]
Erica Empetrifolia. Crowberry-Leaved Heath.
_Class and Order._
Octandria Monogynia.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ 4-phyllus. _Cor._ 4-fida. _Filamenta_ receptaculo inserta.
_Antheræ_ apice bifidæ pertusæ. _Caps._ 4-locularis, 4-valvis,
polysperma.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
ERICA _empetrifolia_ foliis oblongis ciliatis, floribus
verticillatis: calyce ciliato. _Thunb. Prodr. p. 73._ _Linn. Syst.
Vegetab. ed. 13. Gmel. p. 627._ _Linn. Pflanzen Syst. 3. t. 23. f.
2._
ERICA _empetrifolia_ antheris cristatis, corollis ovatis, foliis
quaternis, floribus sessilibus lateralibus. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab.
ed. 14. Murr. p. 366._ _Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 19._
It is a most pleasing circumstance, when plants afford characters by
which they may with certainty be distinguished; most of the Heaths are
of this kind, and the present one in particular: exclusive of its great
peculiarity of growth, so obviously expressed in our representation of
it, its flowers diffuse a strong honey-like fragrance, which, if other
characters were wanting, would at once discriminate it.
It is one of those Heaths which are enumerated in the _Hort. Kew._ of
Mr. Aiton, and was introduced to the royal garden by Mr. Masson, in
1774; is now to be met with in most of the collections of green-house
plants about town, and flowers in May and June.
Is usually propagated by cuttings.
[448]
[Illustration: Nº. 448]
Mesembryanthemum Micans. Glittering Fig-Marygold.
_Class and Order._
Icosandria Pentagynia.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ 5-fidus. _Petala_ numerosa, linearia. _Caps._ carnosa,
infera, polysperma.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
MESEMBRYANTHEMUM _micans_ foliis subcylindricis papulosis
distinctis, caule scabro. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14. Murr. p. 470._
_Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 190._
MESEMBRYANTHEMUM _micans_ flore phoeniceo: filamentis atris.
_Dill. Elth. 292. t. 215. f. 1282._
FICOIDES capensis, tereti folio, flore croceo. _Pet. gaz. t. 7. f.
9._
FICOIDES capensis, folio tereti argenteo, petalis perplurimis
aurantiacis. _Bradl. Succ. 1. p. 9. t. 8._
The _Mesembryanthemum micans_, so called from the glittering particles
which are conspicuous on its stalks and leaves, is a species which has
long been introduced to our gardens (having been cultivated by Prof.
Bradley in 1716) for the beauty of its flowers, which in richness of
colour are indeed surpassed by few; they are produced in the months of
July and August, but do not expand fully, unless the sun shines
powerfully on them; nor do they long retain that regular expansion
observable in some species, but quickly assume a somewhat ragged
appearance; nevertheless, upon the whole, it is one of those species
which is highly deserving of culture, by those who are partial to this
tribe of plants.
It is a native of the Cape, and readily propagated by cuttings.
Varies with flowers of a paler hue.
[449]
[Illustration: Nº. 449]
Dillenia Speciosa. Shewy Dillenia.
_Class and Order._
Polyandria Polygynia.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala 5._ _Caps._ polyspermæ, connatæ, pulpa
repletæ.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
DILLENIA _speciosa_ foliis oblongis rotundato-acutis denticulatis,
pedunculis unifloris. _Thunb. in Linn. Trans. 1. p. 200._