The Botanical Magazine, Vol. 03 / Or, Flower-Garden Displayed

THE

Botanical Magazine;

OR,

Flower-Garden Displayed:

IN WHICH

The most Ornamental Foreign Plants, cultivated in the Open Ground, the Green-House, and the Stove, are accurately represented in their natural Colours.

TO WHICH ARE ADDED,

Their Names, Class, Order, Generic and Specific Characters, according to the celebrated Linnæus; their Places of Growth, and Times of Flowering:

TOGETHER WITH

THE MOST APPROVED METHODS OF CULTURE.

A WORK

Intended for the Use of such Ladies, Gentlemen, and Gardeners, as wish to become scientifically acquainted with the Plants they cultivate.

By WILLIAM CURTIS,

Author of the Flora Londinensis.

VOL. III

COWPER.

LONDON:

Printed by Couchman and Fry, Throgmorton-Street,
For W. CURTIS, at his Botanic-Garden, Lambeth-Marsh;
And Sold by the principal Booksellers in Great-Britain and Ireland.

M DCC XC.

CONTENTS

[73]

Monsonia speciosa. Large-flower'd Monsonia.

Class and Order.

Polyadelphia Dodecandria.

Generic Character.

Cal. 5-phyllus. Cor. 5-petala. Stam. 15. connata in 5 filamenta. Stylus 5-fidus. Caps. 5-cocca.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

MONSONIA speciosa foliis quinatis: foliolis bipinnatis, Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 697.

MONSONIA grandiflora. Burm. prodr. 23.

The genus of which this charming plant is the most distinguished species, has been named in honour of Lady Anne Monson. The whole family are natives of the Cape, and in their habit and fructification bear great affinity to the Geranium. The present species was introduced into this country in 1774, by Mr. Masson.

We received this elegant plant just as it was coming into flower, from Mr. Colvill, Nurseryman, King's-Road, Chelsea, who was so obliging as to inform me that he had succeeded best in propagating it by planting cuttings of the root in pots of mould, and plunging them in a tan-pit, watering them as occasion may require; in due time buds appear on the tops of the cuttings left out of the ground.

It rarely or never ripens its seed with us.

Should be treated as a hardy greenhouse plant; may be sheltered even under a frame, in the winter.

[74]

Antirrhinum triste. Melancholy or black-flower'd Toad-Flax.

Class and Order.

Didynamia Angiopspermia.

Generic Character.

Cal. 5-phyllus. Cor. basis deorsum prominens, nectarifera. Caps. 2. locularis.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

ANTIRRHINUM triste foliis linearibus sparsis inferioribus oppositis nectariis subulatis, floribus sub-sessilibus. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 555.

LINARIA tristis hispanica. Dill. Elth. 201. t. 164. f. 199.

Receives its name of triste from the sombre appearance of its flowers; but this must be understood when placed at some little distance, for, on a near view, the principal colour of the blossoms is a fine rich brown, inclined to purple.

Is a native of Spain, and of course a greenhouse plant with us, but it must not be too tenderly treated, as it loses much of its beauty when drawn up, it should therefore be kept out of doors when the season will admit, as it only requires shelter from severe frost, and that a common hot-bed frame will in general sufficiently afford it.

It flowers during most of the summer months; as it rarely or never ripens its seeds with us, the usual mode of propagating it, is by cuttings, which strike readily enough in the common way.

Miller relates that it was first introduced into this country by Sir Charles Wager, from Gibraltar seeds.

[75]

Potentilla grandiflora. Large-flower'd Potentilla.

Class and Order.

Icosandria Polygynia.

Generic Character.

Cal. 10-fidus. Petala 5. Sem. subrotunda, nuda, receptaculo parvo exsucco affixa.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

POTENTILLA grandiflora foliis ternatis dentatis utrinque subpilosis, caule decumbente foliis longiore, Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 715.

FRAGARIA sterilis, amplissimo folio et flore petalis cordatis, Vaill. Paris. 55. t. 10. f. 1.

Culture is well known to produce great alterations in the appearance of most plants, but particularly in those which grow spontaneously on dry mountainous situations, and this is strikingly exemplified in the present instance, this species of Potentilla, becoming in every respect much larger, as well as much smoother than in its natural state. Vid. Vaill. above quoted.

It is a hardy herbaceous plant, a native of Switzerland, Siberia, and other parts of Europe, and flowers in July.

Linnæus considers it as an annual; Miller, as a biennial; we suspect it to be, indeed have little doubt of its being a perennial; having propagated it by parting its roots, but it may be raised more successfully from seed.

[76]

Epilobium angustissimum. Narrowest leav'd Willow-herb.

Class and Order.

Octandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Cal. 4-fidus. Petala 4. Caps. oblonga, infera. Sem. papposa.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

EPILOBIUM angustifolium, foliis sparsis linearibus obsolete denticulatis aveniis, petalis æqualibus integerrimis, Ait. Hort. Kew. 2. p. 5.

EPILOBIUM angustifolium, var. Lin. Sp. Pl.

EPILOBIUM flore difformi, foliis linearibus. Hall, Hist. Helv. p. 427. n. 1001.

Though the Epilobium here figured has not been many years introduced into this country, it is a plant which has long been well known, and described.

Linnæus makes it a variety only of the Epilobium angustifolium; Haller, a distinct species, and in our opinion, most justly.

Those who have cultivated the Epilobium angustifolium have cause to know that it increases prodigiously by its creeping roots. The present plant, so far as we have been able to determine from cultivating it several years, in our Garden, Lambeth-Marsh, has not shewn the least disposition to increase in the same way, nor have any seedlings arisen from the seeds which it has spontaneously scattered: we have, indeed, found it a plant rather difficult to propagate, yet it is highly probable that at a greater distance from London, and in a more favourable soil, its roots, though not of the creeping kind, may admit of a greater increase, and its seeds be more prolific.

It is a native of the Alps of Switzerland, from whence it is frequently dislodged, and carried into the plains by the impetuosity of torrents.

It flowers with us in July and August, and being a hardy perennial, and perhaps the most elegant species of the genus, appears to us highly deserving a place in the gardens of the curious.

[77]

Centaurea montana. Greater Blue-bottle.

Class and Order.

Syngenesia Polygamia Frustranea.

Generic Character.

Receptaculum setosum. Pappus simplex. Corollæ radii infundibuliformes, longiores, irregulares.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

CENTAUREA montana calycibus serratis, foliis lanceolatis decurrentibus caule simplicissimo. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 785.

CYANUS montanus latifolius S. Verbasculum cyanoides. Bauh. Pin. 273.

CYANUS major. Lobel. icon. 548.

It has been suggested by some of our readers, that too many common plants, like the present, are figured in this work. We wish it to be understood, that the professed design of the Botanical Magazine is to exhibit representations of such. We are desirous of putting it in the power of all who cultivate or amuse themselves with plants, to become scientifically acquainted with them, as far as our labours extend; and we deem it of more consequence, that they should be able to ascertain such as are to be found in every garden, than such as they may never have an opportunity of seeing. On viewing the representations of objects of this sort, a desire of seeing the original is naturally excited, and the pleasure is greatly enhanced by having it in our power to possess it. But, while we are desirous of thus creating Botanists, we are no less anxious to gratify the wishes of those already such; and we believe, from a perusal of the Magazine, it will appear that one-third of the plants figured, have some pretensions to novelty.

The Centaurea montana is a native of the German Alps, flowers during the greatest part of the summer, is a hardy perennial, and will grow in any soil or situation, some will think too readily.

[78]

Narcissus odorus. Sweet-scented, or Great Jonquil.

Class and Order.

Hexandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Petala 6-æqualia. Nectario infundibuliformi, 1-phyllo. Stamina intra nectarium.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

NARCISSUS odorus spatha sub-biflora, nectario campanulato sexfido lævi dimidio petalis breviore, foliis semicylindricis. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 317.

NARCISSUS angustifolius, five juncifolius maximus amplo calice.

The Great Jonquilia with the large flower or cup. Park Parad. p. 89. fig. 5.

We shall be thought, perhaps, too partial to this tribe of plants, this being the fifth species now figured; but it should be remembered, that as the spring does not afford that variety of flowers which the summer does, we are more limited in our choice; the flowers of this delightful season have also greater claims to our notice, they present themselves with double charms.

This species, which, as its name implies, possesses more fragrance than many of the others, is a native of the South of Europe, flowers in the open border in April, is a hardy-perennial, thriving in almost any soil or situation, but succeeds best in a loamy soil and eastern exposure. Varies with double flowers, in which slate it is often used for forcing.

No notice is taken of this species by Miller, except as a variety of the N. Jonquilla, from which it differs toto calo.

[79]

Lotus Jacobæus. Black-Flower'd Lotus.

Class and Order.

Diadelphia Decandria.

Generic Character.

Legumen cylindricum strictum. Alæ sursum longitudinaliter conniventes. Cal. tubulosus.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

LOTUS Jacobæus leguminibus subternatis, caule herbaceo erecto, foliolis linearibus. Lin. Syst. Veg. 601.

LOTUS angustifolia, flore luteo purpurascente, infulæ S. Jacobi. Comm. hort. 2. p. 165. t. 83.

This species of Lotus has been called black-flower'd, not that the flowers are absolutely black, for they are of a very rich brown inclined to purple, but because they appear so at a little distance; the light colour of the foliage contributes not a little to this appearance.

"It grows naturally in the Island of St. James; is too tender to live abroad in England, so the plants must be kept in pots, and in the winter placed in a warm airy glass cafe, but in the summer they should be placed abroad in a sheltered situation. It may be easily propagated by cuttings during the summer season, and also by seeds, but the plants which have been two or three times propagated by cuttings, seldom are fruitful." Miller's Gard. Dict.

It continues to flower during the whole of the summer; as it is very apt to die off without any apparent cause, care should be taken to have a succession of plants from seeds, if possible.

[80]

Spigelia Marilandica. Maryland Spigelia, or Worm-Grass.

Class and Order.

Pentandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Corolla infundibuliformis. Capsula didyma. 2-locularis, polysperma.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

SPIGELIA Marilandica caule tetragono, foliis omnibus oppositis. Lin. Syst. Veg. p. 197. Mant. 2. p. 338.

LONICERA Marilandica, Spec. Pl. ed. 3. p. 249.

PERICLYMENI virginiani flore coccineo planta marilandica spicata erecta foliis conjugatis. D. Sherard Raii Suppl. p. 32. Catesb. Carol. 11. t. 78.

ANTHELMIA Indian pink. Dr. Lining. Essays Physical and Literary, Vol. 1. and Vol. 3.

This plant, not less celebrated for its superior efficacy in destroying worms[A], than admired for its beauty, is a native of the warmer parts of North America; the older Botanists, and even Linnæus, at one time considered it as a honeysuckle, but he has now made a new genus of it, which he has named in honour of Spigelius, a Botanist of considerable note, author of the Ifagog. in yem herbar. published at Leyden in 1633.

"This plant is not easily propagated in England, for the roots make but slow increase, so that the plant is not very common in the English Gardens at present; for although it is so hardy as to endure the cold of our ordinary winters in the open air, yet as it does not ripen seeds, the only way of propagating it is by parting of the roots; and as these do not make much increase by offsets, so the plants are scarce; it delights in a moist soil, and must not be often transplanted." Miller's Dict.

The scarcity of this plant, even now, is a proof of the justness of Mr. Miller's observation; it is in fact a very shy plant, and scarcely to be kept in this country but by frequent importation.

It flowers in June and July.

[A] Vid. Lewis's Mater. Medica.

[81]

Colutea Arborescens. Tree Colutea, or Bladder Senna.

Class and Order.

Diadelphia Decandria.

Generic Character.

Calyx 5-fidus. Legumen inflatum, basi superiore dehiscens.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

COLUTEA arborescens arborea foliolis obcordatis. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 668.

COLUTEA vesicaria. Bauh. Pin. 396.

The greater Bastard Senna with bladders. Park. Par. 440.

The Bladder Senna, a native of the South of France and Italy, produces a profusion of bloom from June to August, when its inflated pods please from the singularity of their appearance; on these accounts, it is one of the most common flowering shrubs cultivated in gardens and plantations.

"It is propagated by sowing its seeds any time in the spring in a bed of common earth; and when the plants are come up, they must be kept clear from weeds, and the Michaelmas following they should be transplanted either into nursery-rows, or in the places where they are designed to remain; for if they are let grow in the seed-bed too long, they are very subject to have tap roots, which render them unfit for transplanting; nor should these trees be suffered to remain too long in the nursery before they are transplanted, for the same reason." Miller's Gard. Dict.

We have learned by experience, that a very wet soil will prove fatal to these shrubs.

[82]

Lachenalia Tricolor. Three-coloured Lachenalia.

Class and Order.

Hexandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Calyx subtriphyllus, inferus, coloratus. Corolla 3-petala, receptaculo inferta. Jacquin jun. in act. helv. vol. 9.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

LACHENALIA tricolor. Lin. Syst, Vegetab. ed. 14. p. 314. Jacq. Icon. pl. rarior, t. 3.

PHORMIUM Aloides. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. p. 336. Suppl. 205.

To Mr. Lee, of the Vineyard, Hammersmith, the first, and as we understand, the only Nurseryman as yet in possession of this plant, which has but lately been introduced into this country from the Cape, we are indebted for the present specimen.

Mr. Jacquin, jun. who has figured and described it in the Acta Helvetica, gives it the name of Lachenalia, in honour of Warnerus de la Chenal, a very eminent Swiss Botanist, and the particular friend of the late illustrious Haller. Our readers should be informed, that it had before been called by two other different names, viz. Hyacinthus orchiodes, and Phormium aloides, under the latter of which it now stands in the 14th edition of the Systema Vegetabilium, as well as that of Lachenalia.

Its trivial name of tricolor it receives from the three colours observable in the flowers; but it must be noticed, that it is only at the middle period of its flowering, that these three colours are highly distinguishable; as it advances, the brilliant orange of the top flowers dies away; the spots on the leaves also, which when the plant is young, give it the appearance of an orchis, as it advances into bloom become less and less conspicuous.

Like most of the Cape plants, the Lachenalia requires to be sheltered in the winter; during that season it must therefore be kept in a greenhouse, or hot-bed frame, well secured.

It flowers in the spring, but its blowing may be accelerated by the warmth of the stove, for it bears forcing well enough.

It is increased by offsets from the bulbs.

[83]

Hibiscus Syriacus. Syrian Hibiscus; commonly called Althæa Frutex.

Class and Order.

Monadelphia Polyandria.

Generic Character.

Calyx duplex, exterior polyphyllus. Capsula 5-locularis, polysperma.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

HIBISCUS syriacus foliis cuneiformi ovatis superne incise-serratis, caule arboreo. Lin. Syst. Veg. p. 630.

ALCEA arborescens syriaca. Bauh. Pin. p. 316.

ALTHÆA frutex flore albo vel purpureo. Park. Par. p. 369.

The Hibiscus syriacus, known generally by the name of Althæa frutex, is a native of Syria, and forms one of the chief ornaments of our gardens in autumn; we view it, however, with less delight, as it is a sure indication of approaching winter.

There are many varieties of it mentioned by authors, as the purple, red-flowered, white-flowered, variegated red and white flowered, and the striped-flowered, to which may be added, another variety, lately introduced, with double flowers: it varies also in its foliage, which is sometimes marked with white, sometimes with yellow.

As from the lateness of its flowering, and the want of sufficient warmth, it rarely ripens its seeds with us; the usual mode of increasing it is by layers, and sometimes by cuttings; but the best plants are raised from seeds. Miller observes, that the scarce varieties may be propagated by grafting them on each other, which is the common method of propagating the sorts with striped leaves.

In the time of Parkinson it was not looked on as a hardy shrub: he thus writes,—"they are somewhat tender, and would not be suffered to be uncovered in the winter time, or yet abroad in the garden, but kept in a large pot or tubbe, in the house or in a warme cellar, if you would have them to thrive." Park. Parad.

[84]

Tussilago Alpina. Alpine Coltsfoot.

Class and Order.

Syngenesia Polygamia.

Generic Character.

Receptaculum nudum. Pappus simplex. Cal. squamæ æquales, discum æquantes, submembranaceæ.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

TUSSILAGO alpina scapo unifloro subnudo, foliis cordato orbiculatis crenatis utrinque virentibus. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 755.

TUSSILAGO alpina rotundifolia glabra. Bauh. Pin. 197.

This species, a native of the Alps, of Switzerland, and Austria, is frequently kept in gardens for the sake of variety; like the rest of the genus, it flowers early in the spring, in March and April; is a very hardy perennial, increases most readily in a moist shady situation, is usually kept in pots for the convenience of sheltering it in very severe seasons; but it will grow readily enough in the open border. All plants that flower early, though ever so hardy, require some kind of shelter, previous to, and during their flowering.

Is propagated by parting its roots in autumn.

[85]

Spartium Jungeum. Spanish Broom.

Class and Order.

Diadelphia Decandria.

Generic Character.

Stigma longitudinale, supra villosum. Filamenta germini adhærentia. Calyx deorsum productus.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

SPARTIUM junceum ramis oppositis teretibus apice floriferis, foliis lanceolatis. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 643.

SPARTIUM arborescens, feminibus lenti similibus. Bauh. Pin. 396.

Spanish Broom. Park. Parad. p. 442. t. 443. fig. 4.

Grows naturally in France, Spain, Italy, and Turkey; bears our climate extremely well; is a common shrub in our nurseries and plantations, which it much enlivens by its yellow blossoms: flowers from June to August, or longer in cool seasons.

Is raised by seeds, which generally come up plentifully under the shrubs.

Miller mentions a variety of it, which, as inferior to the common sort, does not appear to be worth cultivating.

[86]

Gladiolus Communis. Common Corn-Flag.

Class and Order.

Triandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Corolla sexpartita, ringens. Stamina adscendentia.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

GLADIOLUS communis foliis ensiformibus, floribus distantibus.

GLADIOLUS utrinque floridus? Bauh. Pin. 41.

The French Corn-Flag. Park. Parad. p. 189. t. 191. f. 1.

Grows wild in the corn fields of most of the warmer parts of Europe, varies with white and flesh-coloured blossoms, increases so fast, both by offsets and seeds, as to become troublesome to the cultivator; hence, having been supplanted by the Greater Corn-Flag, the Byzantinus of Miller, whose blossoms are larger, and more shewy, it is not so generally found in gardens as formerly.

It flowers in June.

[87]

Hyoscyamus Aureus. Golden-Flower'd Henbane.

Class and Order.

Pentandria Digynia.

Generic Character.

Corolla infundibuliformis, obtusa. Stamina inclinata. Capsula operculata 2-locularis.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

HYOSCYAMUS aureus foliis petiolatis dentatis acutis floribus pedunculatis, fructibus pendulis. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 220.

HYOSCYAMUS creticus luteus major. Bauh. Pin. 169.

A native of Crete, and other parts of the East.

"Flowers most part of the summer, but seldom ripens seeds in England; will continue for several years, if kept in pots and sheltered in winter, for it will not live in the open air during that season; if placed under a common hot-bed frame, where it may enjoy as much free air as possible in mild weather, it will thrive better than when more tenderly treated.

"It may be easily propagated by cuttings, which if planted in a shady border and covered with hand-glasses, in any of the summer months, they will take root in a month or six weeks, and may be afterwards planted in pots and treated like the old plants." Miller's Gard. Dict.

It is, however, a more common practice to keep this plant in the stove in the winter; one advantage, at least, attends this method, we secure it with certainty.

[88]

Narcissus Bulbocodium. Hoop Petticoat Narcissus.

Class and Order.

Hexandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Petala 6, æqualia: Nectario infundibuliformi, 1-phyllo. Stamina intra nectarium.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

NARCISSUS Bulbocodium spatha uniflora, nectario turbinato petalis majore, staminibus pistilloque declinatis. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 317.

NARCISSUS montanus juncifolius, calyce aureo. Bauhin. p. 53.

The greater yellow Junquilia, or bastard Daffodil. Park. Parad. p. 106. t. 107. fig. 6. var. min. fig. 7.

Grows spontaneously in Portugal; flowers in the open border about the middle of May, is an old inhabitant of our gardens, but, like the triandrus, is now become scarce, at least in the nurseries about London; in some gardens in Hampshire we have seen it grow abundantly: Miller calls it the Hoop Petticoat Narcissus, the nectary, as he observes, being formed like the ladies hoop petticoats.

It certainly is one of the neatest and most elegant of the genus, is propagated by offsets, and should be planted in a loamy soil, with an Eastern exposure.

[89]

Viola Pedata. Cut-Leav'd Violet.

Class and Order.

Syngenesia Monogamia.

Generic Character.

Calyx 5-phyllus. Cor. 5-petala, irregularis, postice cornuta. Capsula supera, 3-valvis; 1-locularis.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

VIOLA pedata acaulis, foliis pedatis septempartitis. Lin. Syst. Veget. ed. 14. Murr. p. 802. Spec. Pl. p. 1323. Gronov. Fl. Virg. ed. 2. p. 135.

VIOLA tricolor caule nudo, foliis tenuius dissectis. Banist. Virg.

VIOLA inodora flore purpurascente specioso, foliis ad modum digitorum incisis. Clayt. n. 254.

This species of Violet, a native of Virginia, is very rarely met with in our gardens; the figure we have given, was drawn from a plant which flowered this spring in the garden of Thomas Sykes, Esq. at Hackney, who possesses a very fine collection of plants, and of American ones in particular.