[INDEX
TO THE PLANTS CONTAINED IN VOL. VII.]
[ ERRATA VOL. VII.]
Vol. VII.
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 CCCCXXXIII.
AGAVE AMERICANA.
Great American Aloe.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx nullus. Corolla monopetala, sex-partita. Stamina sena, corolla longiora. Germen inferum. Stylus longior staminibus. Capsula trilocularis, trivalvis. Semina numerosa.
Empalement none. Blossom one-petalled, six-parted. Chives six, longer than the blossom. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft longer than the chives. Capsule three-celled, three-valved. Seeds many.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Agave, acaulis, foliis dentatis, spinosis: scapo e medio ramoso: floribus terminalibus in umbellis densissime capitatis: tubo corollæ læte viridi, e medio angustato: staminibus corolla longioribus: stylo staminibus longiore.
Agave, without a stem; leaves toothed and thorny: flower-stem in the centre branched: the flowers terminate the branches in close-headed umbels: the tube of the blossom is greenish, and narrowed in the centre: the chives are longer than the flowers, and the style longer than the chives.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A plant in miniature.
2. A flower natural size.
3. The same spread open.
4. Seed-bud cut transversely.
5. The end of a leaf, the upper part scraped to show its thready fibres.
This tall and stately plant has ever been regarded, in this country, as an object of sufficient interest and curiosity to merit an exposure in the form of an exhibition; whilst in the southern parts of Spain and Portugal they are so abundant as to form hedges, by way of barriers to repress the inroads of cattle. There are several very slight varieties; one of whose leaves are edged with yellow, but the same in every other respect. Miller enumerates one whose paniculated flowers bear a very different aspect. Cortusus is said to be the first European that possessed this great Aloe, about the year 1561: in 1714 two flowered at Hampton Court, and one at the duke of Buckingham’s. At Friedericksberg, in Denmark, one flowered with 19 branches and 4000 flowers; and one in the king of Prussia’s garden, said to be 40 feet high. They are now more frequently found in bloom, as rarely a year passes without one or more of them being advertised for public inspection. In addition to their grand exterior, they possess many useful properties: Cavanilles, in his Natural History of Valentia, mentions their abundance, and the numbers of people employed in manufacturing them; for, when bruised, separated, and steeped in water, they yield a strong thread, of which all the bags are made in which dollars are imported. The juice of the leaves is said to be used as a succedaneum for soap, and the spungy substance of the stem for tinder. The points of the leaves are by the Indians made use of to head their arrows, whose hard consistence is a good substitute for iron; and the thready character of their fibres furnishes all that is necessary to fasten them. Linnæus has separated this genus from Aloe, from the extension of the stamens and style beyond the corolla, and the resting of the corolla on the germ: they also differ in growth, as all Agaves have their central leaves closely enfoliating and embracing the flower-stem, which, forming in the centre, never appears till they are expanded; it then proceeds with a rapidity that in a few weeks reaches maturity, and when the flowers are past the plant dies. On the contrary, the flower-stem of the Aloe comes out from the side annually from the same plant. Our figure was made from two plants at Kensington Gore, each bearing 2000 flowers, and about 70 years old, belonging to J. Vere, Esq. who perfectly recollects them for above half a century: but in those warmer climes, where they are so abundant, 25 or 30 years are sufficient to bring them to perfection.[Pg 3]
PLATE CCCCXXXIV.
PULTENÆA NANA.
Dwarf Pultenæa.
CLASS X. ORDER I.
DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Ten Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx quinquedentatus, utrinque appendiculatus. Corolla papilionacea, alis vexillo brevioribus, Legumen uniloculare, dispermum.
Cup five-toothed, with a hanging prop on each side. Blossom butterfly-shaped, the wings shorter than the standard. A one-celled pod, two-seeded.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Pultenæa, foliis iliciformibus, undulatis, contortis, rigidis, acutis: floribus minii colore, axillaribus, racemosis. Caulis humilis.
Pultenæa, with holly-shaped leaves, waved, twisted, harsh, and sharp-pointed. Flowers minium-coloured, growing from the insertion of the leaves in longish bunches. Stem low.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The cup, with its appendages.
2. The standard of the blossom.
3. One of the wings of the same.
4. The two leaves which form the keel.
5. The chives magnified.
6. The pointal, natural size.
7. The same magnified.
8. A ripe seed-pod.
9. The same spread open.
10. A ripe seed.
This lively little Dwarf Pultenæa we have not as yet seen any where but in the conservatory of G. Hibbert, Esq. where, contrasted with many large magnificent plants, its minute and diminutive form made a perfectly unique appearance. When we first observed it, its height did not exceed an inch and a half. Our figure represents the whole plant, which for six months was in progressive constant bloom, and after flowering ripened its seeds freely; an evident proof of the plant being in a state of perfection. It is now three months since the plant perfected its seeds, during which period we have not perceived the least increase in its size. But, notwithstanding this apparent torpidity, it is now exhibiting the buds of its future blossoms. It has been imagined by some to be the Chorizema of Billardiere, a new plant found by that gentleman in New South Wales whilst in search of the unfortunate La Perouse; but, upon comparing it with the figure in that work, we do not find a sufficient resemblance to induce us to regard it as the same plant.[Pg 5]
PLATE CCCCXXXV.
VERBENA MUTABILIS.
Changeable-flowered Vervain.
CLASS II. ORDER I.
DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Two Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla infundibuliformis, sub-æqualis, curva. Calyx unifoliatus, dentatus, truncatus. Sem. 2, s. 4. nuda. Stam. 2, s. 4.
Blossom funnel-shaped, nearly equal, and curved. Empalement one-leafed, toothed, and cut off. Seeds 2, sometimes 4, naked. Chives 2, sometimes 4.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Verbena diandra, filamenta quatuor: spica longissima, carnosa, nuda: foliis ovatis, basi productis, dentatis, scabris, villosis: floribus imprimis coccineis, denique incarnatis: caule fruticoso.
Verbena, with two chives and four filaments. Flower-spike very long, fleshy, and naked. Leaves ovate, lengthened at the base, toothed, rough, and hairy. Flowers at first scarlet, then going off in a flesh colour. Stem shrubby.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2. A flower cut open.
3. Seed-bud and pointal, summit magnified.
The native place of the Verbena mutabilis seems rather enveloped in obscurity: by some it is supposed to be indigenous to Peru. It is a beautiful plant, and the most desirable Verbena we are acquainted with, as it is at least six months in successive bloom. It is one of those Verbenas that, differing a little from the general character of that genus, has received various titles from different botanists: by Professor Vahl, in his Enumeratio Plantarum, it is called Stachytarpheta. The present species has been recently figured in the Paradisus Londinensis under the title of Cymburus mutabilis, and probably at some future period it may again receive another title: but until we can find some better path to lead us into the open plain or Information, we shall keep jogging on in the old beaten track, in preference to every crooked turning that may bewilder us into the mazy labyrinth of affected Science. Our figure was made from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Colville.[Pg 7]
PLATE CCCCXXXVI.
CORRÆA VIRIDIFLORA.
Green-flowered Corræa.
CLASS VIII. ORDER I.
OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Eight Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx monophyllus, quadri-dentatus. Corolla petala quatuor. Stamina octo. Germen superum. Capsula quadrilocularis. Semina quatuor.
Empalement one-leafed, four-toothed. Blossom four-petalled. Eight chives. Seed-bud above. Capsule four cells, and four seeds.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Corræa, foliis oblongis, oppositis, undulatis, stellatim hirsutis, supra viridibus, subtus ferrugineis: foliis junioribus conniventibus, flores dum parvos obscurantibus, qui postea emergunt ex axillis foliorum, et dependent. Corolla viridis, leviter punctata, petalis adhærentibus in forma cylindrica. Rami oppositi, ferruginei.
Corræa, with oblong opposite leaves, waved, and beset with divers starlike specks; green on the upper surface and rusty beneath: the younger leaves connive together, and obscure the flowers when young, which afterwards emerge from the axillæ of the leaves, and hang down. Blossom green, and lightly dotted, the petals adhering in the form of a tube. The branches are opposite, and rusty.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2. A blossom detached from the cup.
3. A flower spread open.
4. One of the longest chives.
5. One of the shorter ones.
6. Seed-bud and pointal.
7. Seed-bud magnified.
This green-flowered Corræa is by no means so desirable a plant as the alba, but is the only addition to this genus as yet in cultivation with us, and as such deserving notice. It has been already figured in the Exotic Botany of Dr. Smith, but very imperfectly, as it is there represented with only two divisions in the corolla instead of four, and six antheræ instead of eight—a deficiency we have not met with: and although we have examined a number of living and dried specimens, yet we have always found it perfect in those characters essential to the genus. The only variation we have ever observed has been sometimes a super-abundance of petals in the corolla; (instead of a deficiency) five instead of four, a frequent occurrence in many genera when the plant is in a state of luxuriant growth: and certainly little illustration, but much confusion, might probably arise from giving a figure from any specimen so very defective. We find this genus published by Billardiere under the title Mazeutoxeron—our present figure under the specific of rufum—an excellent specific, were it not a striking feature in every species of this genus, living or dried, that we have as yet seen. Our figure was made from a plant in the collection of G. Hibbert, Esq.[Pg 9]
PLATE CCCCXXXVII.
PROTEA CANALICULATA.
Channelled-leaved Protea.
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 4-fida, seu 4 petala. Antheræ lineares, petalis infra apicem insertæ. Calyx proprius, nullus. Semina solitaria.
Blossom four-cleft, or four petals. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below the ends. Cup proper, none. Seeds solitary.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea, foliis canaliculatis, incurvatis, rigidis, linearibus, acutis: floribus purpureis, terminalibus: caule rubro.
Protea, with channelled leaves, incurved, harsh, linear, and sharp-pointed: flowers purple, and terminating the branches: stem red.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. One of the scales of the empalement.
2. The chives magnified.
3. Seed-bud and pointal, summit magnified.
This fine Protea is of recent introduction, within the last four or five years, from the Cape of Good Hope to the gardens of G. Hibbert, Esq. From the particular strong channel on the back of its leaves we have adopted its specific title, and have no doubt that a feature so visible in every stage of the plant will always discriminate it. The leaves are enlivened by such brilliant red stalks, as, in addition to its flower, render it an attractive object: nor is it so difficult to preserve as many of them are; for the greatest of care is requisite to preserve numbers of this fine tribe from the damps of this island, an enemy they are so little accustomed to in their native clime.[Pg 11]
PLATE CCCCXXXVIII.
PROTEA SPECIOSA.
Showy Protea.
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 4-fida, seu 4 petala. Antheræ lineares, petalis infra apices insertæ. Calyx proprius, nullus. Sem. solitaria.
Blossom four-cleft, or of four petals. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below the points. Cup proper, none. Seeds solitary.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea, foliis lanceolatis, obliquis, pilosis, undulatis: squamis calycinis superioribus, lanceolatis, barbatis, luteo-albis; squamis infra lato-ovatis, tomentosis, barbatis, apice discoloratis: caulis erectus, tripedalis.
Protea, with leaves lance-shaped, oblique, hairy, and waved: the upper scales of the empalement are lance-shaped, bearded, and of a yellowish white: the scales beneath are broadly ovate, downy, bearded, and discoloured towards the ends. Stem erect, and three feet high.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A blossom, the petals spread to show the situation of the chives.
2. The seed-bud and pointal.
This fine large Protea we believe is not at present in any other collection in Europe, but that of G. Hibbert, esq. It is enumerated in the Hortus Kewensis under the name of Protea speciosa, but the plant itself has been long lost to those gardens. Thunberg, in his dissertation on Protea, describes our plant exactly, under the appellation of speciosa: and, that no doubt might remain with respect to the specific adopted, our figure has been compared with a remarkable fine specimen in the herbarium of A. B. Lambert, esq., sent by Dr. Roxburgh from the Cape of Good Hope under the title of “Protea speciosa of Hottentot Island.” It is undoubtedly one of the grandest of this fine section of Protea; for as a section of this numerous family it will always be better understood than it can possibly be as a discriminative specific. This extended tribe will, we think, admit of at least four or five partitions, but not Generic divisions, for we can by no means agree with those who think every slight variation of sufficient consequence to form new genera; and in this genus think it more objectionable than in any other. The title of Protea being derived from the God Proteus of ever-varying form, the more removed this tribe of plants are in their externa facie from each other, so much the better do they support their mythologic title.[Pg 13]
PLATE CCCCXXXIX.
STAPELIA ORBICULARIS.
Orbicular Stapelia.
CLASS V. ORDER II.
PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. Five Chives. Two Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium quinquefidum, acutum, parvum, persistens.
Corolla. Monopetala, crassa, quinquefida, acuta, contorta.
Nectaria duplicia, stelliformia; superiore genitalia tegente.
Stamina sub-sessilia, ad nectarium adhærentia. Antheræ bifidæ.
Pistilla. Germina duo, oblonga, acuminata. Styli duo, subulati. Stigma utroque commune, magnum, crassum, pentagonum.
Pericarpium. Folliculi duo, uniloculares, univalves.
Semina numerosa, pappo coronata.
Empalement. Cup five-cleft, sharp, small, and remaining.
Blossom one-petalled, thick, five-parted, pointed, and twisted.
Honey-cups double and starlike; the upper nectary hiding the parts of fructification.
Chives nearly sessile, and attached to the nectary. Tips two-cleft.
Pointal. Seed-buds two, oblong, and tapered. Shafts two, awl-shaped. Summit common to both, large, thick, and five-cornered.
Seed-vessel. Two pods, one-celled, one-valved.
Seeds numerous, and crowned with a feather.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Stapelia orbicularis; ramis pluribus, erecto-patentibus, tetragonis, dentatis; corollis quinquefidis, in medio orbiculatis, densissime punctatis; laciniis cordatis, rugosis, striatis, fuscatis.
Stapelia with orbicular flowers; branches numerous, erect and spreading, four-sided, and toothed; blossom five-cleft, rounded in the centre, and closely dotted; segments of the border are heart-shaped, wrinkled, and striped with brown.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement, nectaries, chives and pointals.
2. The nectaries, chives, and pointals, magnified.
3. A section of the above, magnified.
4. The same shown in a side direction, to expose the situation of the chives.
5. The seed-buds, shafts, and summit.
This perfectly new Stapelia we have not met with in any other collection but that of Messrs. Loddige, from whom we received it under the title of orbicularis, a specific derived from the circular centre of the flower a very discriminative appellation; and, although not exclusively the character of this species, is much more distinctly marked in this plant than in any other we have as yet seen. Upon comparing our figure with forty-one species described and figured by Mr. F. Masson, not any affinity could be discerned powerful enough to render a reference by any means requisite: there is a sombre appearance annexed to almost all the flowers of this most curious tribe, and they more resemble pieces of mechanism than the vegetable productions of nature. They require but little water in summer, and still less in winter; should be carefully sheltered from rain and frost, and they will succeed very well, and are easily propagated by slips from the joints, but very rarely seed in this country. Natives of the Cape of Good Hope, and are called Stapelias after a Dutch botanist of the name of Stapel.[Pg 15]
PLATE CCCCXL.
SOPHORA SERICEA.
Silky-leaved Sophora.
CLASS X. ORDER I.
DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Ten Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx quinquedentatus, superne gibbus. Corolla papillonacea, alis longitudine vexilli. Pericarpium, legumen.
Empalement five-toothed, the upper ones gibbose, or gouty. Blossom butterfly-shaped, with the wings the length of the standard. Seed-vessel, a pod.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Sophora, foliis sericeis, oblongis, alternatis, pilo mollissimo lucido omnino tectis, apice acutis, revolutis, ad basin stipulis parvis; floribus simplicibus, axillaribus, pallide purpureis; caulis argenteus.
Sophora with silky leaves, oblong, alternate, and entirely covered by a very soft shining hair, sharp-pointed, and rolled back, with small stipulæ at their base; flowers grow singly from the axillae of the leaves, and of a pale purple; stem silvery.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2. The standard.
3. One of the wings.
4. The keel.
5. The chives and pointal.
6. The same magnified.
7. Seed-bud and pointal, summit magnified.
This delicate Sophora may literally be said to be an old plant with a new face, as we have been long familiar with the foliage, but entirely unacquainted with its flowers, till very lately we found it in luxuriant bloom (and we believe for the first time in this country) in the conservatory of G. Hibbert, esq. this month (December), probably not the regular period of its inflorescence, but the effect of casualty assisted by the uncommon mildness of the season. It would be a vain endeavour to attempt to do justice to the beautiful shining silky appearance of the leaves; and when aided by its delicate purple flowers, its attraction is equal, if not superior, to any of the genus. The want of freedom in its flowering is a defect not entirely confined to this species only, but is in some degree attached to most Sophoras. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and requires as much air as can with safety be administered to it in this country.[Pg 17]
PLATE CCCCXLI.
EPIDENDRUM FUSCATUM.
Brown-flowered Epidendrum.
CLASS XX. ORDER I.
GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. Chives on the Pointals. Two Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Nectarium turbinatum, obliquum, reflexum.
Honey-cup top-shaped, oblique, and reflexed. See Pl. XIII. Vol. I. Epidendrum cochleatum.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Epidendrum, foliis lanceolatis, caulem vagina alterne tegentibus, contortis, atro-purpureo discoloratis; floribus umbellatis terminalibus fuscatis, leviter punctatis, vel striatis.
Epidendrum, with lance-shaped leaves, alternately sheathing the stem, twisted, and discoloured with a deep purple; flowers terminate the branches in umbels, of a brownish colour, dotted or striped.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The nectary, or honey-cup.
2. The blossom detached.
3. The seed-bud, chives, and pointal, the hood lifted up that covers the chives.
4. The same magnified.
Amongst this numerous parasitic tribe there are many whose claim to beauty is by no means powerful, and certainly the present figure has little to boast of in that particular: but the singular and curious structure of their flowers will always render every new species and even distinct varieties desirable, particularly as they are an essential connecting link in the interesting family of the Orchidiæ. We were at first inclined to regard it as the E. fuscatum of Dr. Smith on rare plants; but on comparison with that figure we found it in foliage nearly the same, but so different both in the size and colour of its flowers, that, if it might be regarded as a variety, it must certainly be a very distinct one. It is a native of Jamaica, and as such requires the protection of the stove. From a plant plunged in the tan-bed our drawing was made at the gardens of G. Hibbert, esq.[Pg 19]
PLATE CCCCXLII.
PROTEA PULCHELLA, Var. speciosa.
Waved-leaved Protea, Speciosa Variety.
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 4-fida, seu 4 petala. Antheræ lineares, petalis infra apices insertæ. Calyx proprius, nullus. Sem. solitaria.
Blossom four-cleft, or four petals. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below the points. Cup proper, none. Seeds solitary.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea, foliis lanceolatis, undulatis, rubro marginatis, pilosis; squamis calycis tricoloratis; capitulo-erecto, terminali: caule ramoso, bipedali.
Protea, with lance-shaped leaves, waved, margined with red, and hairy; scales of the cup three-coloured: flower-head upright, and terminal: stem branching, and two feet high.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement and chives.
2. Seed-bud and pointal.
Our figure represents so evident a variation of the Protea pulchella, that it probably should be only regarded as a fine large flowering variety; but as it exhibits a strong affinity in the flowers to that fine section of Protea called Speciosa, it is certainly better to denominate it a variety of that species, than to adhere too closely to the appellation of its original, whose specific is of too indiscriminative a character to be adopted any further than the acceptation of it already may have rendered necessary. The only method to avoid confusion in this extended varying tribe in future, will be to make as few species as possible in addition to those already made, unless they can be founded upon some apparent leading feature in the plant. Our drawing was made from the Hibbertian collection.[Pg 21]
PLATE CCCCXLIII.
ERYTHRINA SPECIOSA.
Showy Erythrina.
CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.
DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Chives in two sets. Ten chives.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, integrum, tubulosum, ore superne emarginatum, inferne poris melliferis instructum.
Corolla. Papilionacea.
Vexillum lanceolatum, lateribus deflexum, adscendens, longissimum.
Alæ sub-ovatæ, calyce vix longiores, extra tubum vexilli vix eminentes, minimæ.
Carina recta, longitudine alarum, dipetala, emarginata.
Stamina. Filamenta diadelpha, filamenta decem, inferne connata, parum incurva, longitudine dimidii vexilli, inequalia, sagittata.
Pistillum. Germen pedicellatum, subulatum, attenuatum in stylum subulatum, longitudine staminum. Stigma terminale, simplex.
Pericarpium. Legumen longissimum, ac seminis nondum tumidis acuminate terminatum, uniloculare.
Semina reniformia.
Obs. E. Herbacea staminibus decem distinctis.
Empalement. Cup one-leafed, entire and tubular, emarginated on the upper part, the part beneath with little pores containing honey.
Blossom. Butterfly-shaped.
Standard lance-shaped, bowing sideways, ascending, and very long.
Wings nearly egg-shaped and scarcely longer than the tube of the empalement, outside the standard and very small.
Keel straight out, the length of the wings, two-petalled and emarginated.
Chives. Threads in two sets, ten threads joined together beneath, slightly turned inwards, half the length of the standard, unequal, and arrow-headed.
Pointal. Seed-bud with a footstalk awl-shaped, and tapering into the shaft, which is awl-shaped, and of the length of the stamens. Summit terminating simple.
Seed-vessel. A very long pod, and before the seeds are swelled out terminated with a sharp point; of one cell.
Seeds kidney-shaped.
Obs. E. Herbacea has ten distinct stamens.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Erythrina speciosa, foliis magnis, ternatis; foliolis cordatis, subtus nervosis aculeatis. Caulis tripedalis, erectus, spinosus, viridis.
Erythrina with showy flowers, leaves large and three-divided; leaflets heart-shaped, with prickly nerves on the under side. Stem three feet high, upright, thorny, and green.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
2. A blossom spread open.
3. The standard.
4. One of the wings.
5. The keel.
6. The chives spread open.
7. Seed-bud and pointal.
This superb Erythrina was communicated to the author by A. B. Lambert, esq., with whom it flowered in the month of November, for the first time in this kingdom. It is at present treated as a hot-house plant, but Mr. Lambert informs us that it is perfectly hardy, and strikes so freely that, although at present it is a nondescript and very rare plant, it will, doubtless, soon make its appearance in most collections: its splendid flowers and easy culture will soon recommend it into general notice. There are but five species of this genus yet known; the present subject will therefore be a valuable addition to the number. The falling off of the leaves is its only defect, which we have no doubt but a hardier mode of treatment will remove. It is supposed to be a native of South America.[Pg 23]
PLATE CCCCXLIV.
LOBELIA HIRSUTA.
Hairy Lobelia.
CLASS XIX. ORDER VI.
SYNGENESIS MONOGAMIA. Tips united. Flowers simple.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx 5-fidus. Corolla 1-petala, irregularis. Capsula infera 2-seu 3-locularis.
Cup 5-cleft. Blossom, 1-petalled, irregular. Capsule beneath, 2 or 3 celled.
See Pl. CCLXXIII. Vol. IV. Lobelia pinifolia.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Lobelia foliis hirsutis, inferioribus oblongis, dentatis, hirsutis; floribus albis, solitariis axillaribus; pedunculis elongatis; stigmatibus obtusis, pilosis; caule fruticosa, pilosa, petente.
Lobelia with hairy leaves; the lower ones are oblong, toothed and hirsute: flowers white, and grow singly from the base of the leaves: foot-stalks lengthened: summits blunt, and hairy: Stem shrubby, hairy, and spreading.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The flower and chives spread open and magnified.
2. Seed-bud and pointal, summit magnified.
The Lobelias are an extensive family, but in a very confused state at present; not many of them having been described, and almost all that have been figured are blue flowers, a scarce colour in most genera, although so prevalent in this, and most probably to the attraction of this colour is chiefly owing the notice already taken of them: for, as beautiful little annuals, they have an irresistible claim to our attention. Our present subject does not possess the charm of colour, but from its lively white flowers and constant succession of bloom it is well deserving a place in the green-house. Our figure represents an entire plant, taken from the Cape Nursery of Messrs. Middlemist and Wood, near Shepherd’s Bush on the Edgware Road.[Pg 25]
PLATE CCCCXLV.
EPIDENDRUM LINEARE.
Linear-leaved Epidendrum.
CLASS XX. ORDER I.
GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. Chives on the Pointal. Two Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Nectarium turbinatum, obliquum, reflexum.
Honey-cup top-shaped, oblique, and reflexed. See Pl. XIII. Vol. I. Epidendrum cochleatum.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Epidendrum, foliis linearibus, caulem vagina alterne tegantibus, apice crenatis: floribus terminalibus, spicatis, alternatis, purpureis; caulis juncinus, longus, gracilis.
Epidendrum, with linear leaves, alternately sheathing the stem, and notched at the end: flowers terminate the branches in a spike, alternate, and purple: stem rush-like, long, and slender.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The blossom without the honey-cup, spread open to show the chives.
2. The same magnified.
3. The honey-cup magnified.
4. The pointal magnified.
In the Icones of Jacquin we find a figure of this Epidendrum, under the appellation we have adopted, but evidently taken from a dried specimen, with a reference to the Icones of Father Plumier 182, fig. 1. under the title of Heleborine; but on comparison we find no affinity sufficiently powerful to induce us to regard them as representing the same plant. In Plumier’s figure there is no incisure at the end of the leaves, a specific character in our plant; the rest of the figure is also too obscure to admit of comparison. The plant, from its long and slender stalks, acquires a graceful bend when in flower. As a native of Jamaica it requires the tan-bed of the hot-stove for its protection; and, like many other tropical plants, is subject to lose much of its beauty by the loss of the leaves on the lower part of the stem. Our figure was made from the Hibbertian Collection.[Pg 27]
PLATE CCCCXLVI.
DOLICHOS HIRTUS.
Hairy-stemmed Dolichos.
CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.
DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Chives in two sets. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Vexillum callis duobus ad basin, parallelis, oblongis, alis subtus comprimentibus.
Standard with two callosities at the base; parallel, and of an oblong form; the wings beneath binding together.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Dolichos hirtus; caule volubili, tecto ferrugineis pilosis; floribus luteis striatis rubris; foliis ternatis; foliolis sub-cordatis, subtus pilosis; stipulis duabus ad basin; radice tuberosa.
Dolichos with a hairy stem: the stalk is twining, and covered with rusty hairs: flowers are yellow, and striped with red: leaves ternate; leaflets nearly heart-shaped, and hairy beneath, with two stipulæ at their base: root tuberous.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The cup.
2. The standard.
3. One of the wings shown from the inside.
4. The keel.
5. The chives and pointal.
6. The chives spread open.
7. The seed-bud and pointal.
This handsome twining plant was introduced from the Cape of Good Hope to the gardens of G. Hibbert, esq. about the year 1802, and flowered very luxuriantly, but did not perfect any of its seeds nor make any approach towards it, as the flowers with their empalements all fell off together immediately after flowering; and for the last three or four years the plant (although apparently in a healthy state) has not indicated the least appearance of bloom; and we are inclined to think it might possibly succeed better with the careful treatment of the dry stove than with its present situation in the hot-house; and if upon experiment it should prove successful, it would then doubtless become a plant in request by many cultivators who whilst it remains a hot-house plant cannot give it a place in their collection.
This genus approaches so near to that of Phaseolus, that we cannot help thinking one generic title would have been sufficient for them both.[Pg 29]
PLATE CCCCXLVII.
PROTEA ARGENTIFLORA.
Silvery-flowered Protea.
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 4-fida, seu 4 petala. Antheræ lineares, petalis infra apices insertæ. Calyx proprius, nullus. Sem. solitaria.
Blossom four-cleft, or of four petals. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below the points. Cup proper, none. Seeds solitary.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea argentiflora; floribus paniculatis, densissime confertissimis, parvis rotundatis capitatis, fragrantibus, nitidissimis; foliis bipinnatis, linearibus, apice acutis, erecto-patentibus.
Protea with silvery flowers: the flowers grow in panicles, closely crowded together, in little round heads, sweet-scented and very shining: leaves twice divided, linear, sharp-pointed, and between erect and spreading.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. One of the scales.
2. A blossom detached from the umbel.
3. A section of it magnified.
4. Seed-bud and pointal, summit magnified.
5. The cone with the scales attached.
6. The same without the scales.
7. The naked cone.
From the shining silvery appearance of this Protea we have drawn its specific title, although aware of the insurmountable difficulty of doing justice to it: but in so extended a genus it will be frequently impossible to give a discriminating or unoccupied specific from its foliage:—our title may always be ascertained when the plant is in bloom, whether in perfection or not, as the flowers living or dead always retain a shining silvery aspect. It also possesses a most exquisite sweet scent; but its superior fragrance only exists whilst the flowers are in perfection; as after that period it grows fainter, and is at last scentless. Our figure was made from the collection of G. Hibbert, esq.[Pg 31]
PLATE CCCCXLVIII.
PÆONIA SUFFRUTICOSA; Var. flore purpureo.
Shrubby Pæony; Purple-flowered Variety.
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.
Pæonia caule suffruticoso, tripedali, ramoso: folia alternatim bipinnata, pedalia et ultra, bifida et trifida, subtus glauca: petiolis longis, canaliculatis, amplexicaulibus: floribus semi-duplicibus, purpureis, splendentibus.
Pæony with a shrubby stem, three feet high, and branching: leaves alternately two-winged, a foot or more in length, two-and three-cleft, glaucous beneath; the petioles are long, channelled, and embracing the stem: flowers semi-double, purple, and very splendid.
This elegant plant is the purple variety mentioned in our last Vol. Pl. 373. and flowered at the same time, with completely double flowers, and so equal in point of beauty, that we hesitated some time before we could determine to which we should give the preference. But had we seen the purple one in its present semi-double state, it would undoubtedly have claimed precedence, as well from its preserved botanic character, as its superior beauty. The singular versatility of these plants we were entirely unacquainted with when we figured the rose-coloured one; as, since that period, we have seen them in bloom with single flowers, the following year with double ones; and again the year after we found this purple one in the semi-double state which our figure represents, the plant then bearing five-and-twenty flowers in full perfection, forming a coup-d’œil superior to any shrub we have ever seen.[Pg 33]
PLATE CCCCXLIX.
LINUM TRIGYNUM.
Three-styled Golden Flax.
CLASS V. ORDER V.
PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Five Chives. Five Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.