[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]