[Illustration:
_Vol. VI._
_of the_
Botanists 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._
Mo. Bot. Garden.
1904.
]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.