It should seem that this Genus has not been observed with sufficient accuracy, at least those plants known to us, and which have been treated of as belonging to the class Pentandria. The present one, for instance, which is unquestionably the plant designed by Swartz, Commelin, Seba, &c. an is acknowledged by Swartz to be triandrous and monœcious, yet that it should be continued in the Kew Catalogue and by Willdenow, &c. to Pentandria, is astonishing. We have no hesitation in declaring our opinion that the whole genus as it now stands ought to be thrown to Phyllanthus. But, as the title Xylophylla is so well known for these plants; we have thought it more safe to give the Genus those characters the plants bear under their true Class and Order, than make any alteration in it. The Xylophylla falcata is a native of the West India Islands, and has been long cultivated in our hot-houses; so long ago as the year 1739. It is a tender plant, and will not flower without the assistance of the bark-bed; is easily propagated by cuttings; grows best in sandy peat, and flowers in August. Our drawing was made at the Hammersmith Nursery.[Pg 87]
PROTEA ANEMONIFOLIA.
Anemony-leaved Protea.
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 4-fida seu 4-petala. Antheræ lineares, insertæ petalis infra apicem. Calyx proprius nullus. Semina solitaria.
Blossom 4-cleft or 4 petals. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below the point. Empalement proper, none. Seeds solitary.
See Protea formosa, Pl. XVII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea foliis pinnatis, pinnis planis, cuneiformibus, sub apice inciso-dentatis; capitalis terminalibus; squamis calycinis lanceolatis, glabris; floribus luteis.
Protea with winged leaves, wings flat, wedge-shaped, deeply toothed at the point; flower heads terminal; scales of the cup lance-shaped, smooth; flowers yellow.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
The Protea Anemonifolia is one of the only three species of the Genus, we have, yet, received from New Holland. It was introduced to us, from thence, in the year 1792, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith; is a hardy green-house plant; grows to the height of three, or four feet; may be propagated by cuttings, and flowers in August. It thrives best in a mixture of light sandy loam, and peat earth, of each an equal quantity.[Pg 89]
SAGITTARIA LANCIFOLIA.
Lance-leaved Arrowhead.
CLASS XXI. ORDER VII.
MONŒCIA POLYANDRIA. Chives and Pointals separate. Many Chives.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
* Masculi flores plures.
Calyx. Perianthium triphyllum; foliolis ovatis, concavis, persistentibus.
Corolla. Petala tria, subrotunda, obtusa, plana, patientia, calyci triplo majora.
Stamina. Filamenta plurima (viginti quatuor sæpe), subulata, in capitulum congesta. Antheræ erectæ, longitudine calycis.
* Feminei flores pauciores, infra masculos.
Calyx. Perianthium ut in mare.
Corolla. Petala tria, ut in mare.
Pistilla. Germina numerosa, compressa, in capitulum congesta, extrorsum gibba, desinentia in stylos brevissimos. Stigmata acuta, persistentia.
Pericarpium nullum. Receptaculum globosum, semina in globum colligens.
Semina numerosa, oblonga, compressa, cincta longitudinaliter margine membranaceo, lato, hinc gibbo, utrinque acuminato.
* Male flowers many.
Empalement. Cup three leaves; leaflets egg-shaped, concave, remaining.
Blossom. Three petals, roundish, blunt, flat, spreading, three times the size of the cup.
Chives. Threads many (often twenty-four), awl-shaped, collected into a little head. Tips upright, the length of the cup.
* Female flowers fewer, beneath the males.
Empalement. Cup as in the male.
Blossom. Three petals, as in the male.
Pointals. Seed-buds numerous, flattened, forming a little head, hunched on the outerside, ending in very short shafts. Summits pointed, remaining.
Seed-vessel none. Receptacle globular, supporting the seeds in the form of a globe.
Seeds numerous, oblong, flattened, surrounded lengthways by a broad skinny border, hunched on one side, tapering to each end.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Sagittaria foliis lanceolato-ovatis.
Arrowhead with leaves between lance and egg-shaped.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
All the species of this Genus of plants are aquatic, or water plants, and differ but little from each other, in their specific characters. Our present subject is a native of the West India Islands, and requires the atmosphere of a hot-house to induce it to flower. The blossoms, on the lower part of the flower-stem, are all females; and those on the upper part, males; they are all exceedingly delicate, as either wind, or wet, destroys them. It increases by offsets from the root; but the seeds do not ripen in this country. It must be kept in a pan or tub half filled with earth, and the other half with water, but does not require to be plunged in the tan-bed.
Our figure was taken from a plant which flowered this year 1803 (and, for the first time in Britain, as we are informed by Mr. Anderson), in the month of July, in the Collection of J. Vere, Esq. Kensington Gore.[Pg 91]
STRUTHIOLA TOMENTOSA.
Downy-leaved Struthiola.
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Perianthium diphyllum. Corolla tubulosa, 4-fida. Nectarium glandulæ octo fauci circumpositæ. Semen unum subbaccatum.
Cup two leaved. Blossom tubular, 4-cleft. Honey-cup 8 glands, placed round the mouth of the blossom. One seed like a berry.
See Struthiola imbricata, Pl. CXIII. Vol. II.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Struthiola foliis ovatis, concavis, callosis, tomentosis, imbricatis; nectario duodecim partito.
Struthiola with egg shaped leaves, concave, callous, downy and tiled; honey-cup with twelve divisions.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
The Clapham Collection is the only one in which this curious species of Struthiola is, at present, to be seen. It was sent by Mr. Niven, from the Cape, in 1799, and flowered, for the first time, last year 1802, in the month of August, when our drawing was made. It is a tender Green-house plant, as are most of this natural order, from that country; being susceptible of too great moisture, either when exposed to the open air during heavy rains in summer, or from over watering in winter. Wherefore they are best preserved by sheltering them in an airy situation during summer, and giving them but little water in winter. It is encreased by cuttings, taken off in the month of May, planted in a pot, filled to the margin with sandy loam, and plunged under a hand-glass, in a shady border, without watering the loam. It grows most flourishing in a mixture of sandy peat and loam; the peat about one third part.[Pg 93]
GLADIOLUS PYRAMIDATUS.
Pyramidal-spiked Gladiolus.
CLASS III. ORDER I.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla sexpartita, ringens. Stamina adscendentia.
Blossom six-divided, gaping. Chives ascending.
See Gladiolus roseus, Pl. XI. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Gladiolus foliis ensiformibus, utrinque attenuatis, glabris; spathis præmorsis; spicis pyramidatis; floribus imbricatis, subringentibus.
Gladiolus with sword-shaped leaves, tapered to both ends, and smooth; sheaths appear bitten at the ends; spikes pyramid-shaped; flowers tiled, a little gaping.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This fine Gladiolus from the Cape of Good Hope, we believe, has not flowered, or is to be found, in any other collection than that of the Dowager Lady De Clifford, Paddington; where our drawing was taken in August, this year, 1803. It grows to the height of three feet; and the flowers continue to blow, from four to six at a time in succession, from the base of the spike. It is a hardy bulb, and has every appearance of being a free blower.[Pg 95]
ANCHUSA CAPENSIS.
Cape Alkanet.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium quinquepartitum oblongum, teres, acutum, persistens.
Corolla monopetala, infundibuliformis; tubus cylindricus, longitudine calycis; limbus semiquinquefidus, obtusus, erecto-patens; faux clausa squamulis quinque, convexis, prominentibus, oblongis, conniventibus.
Stamina. Filamenta quinque, brevissima, in fauce corollæ. Antheræ oblongæ, incumbentes, tectæ.
Pistillum. Germina quatuor. Stylus filiformis, longitudine staminum. Stigma obtusum, emarginatum.
Pericarpium nullum; Calyx major, erectus, in sinu continens semina.
Semina quatuor, oblongiuscula, obtusa, gibba.
Empalement. Cup five-parted, oblong, cylindrical, pointed, remaining.
Blossom one petal, funnel-shape; tube cylindric, the length of the cup; border half-five-cleft, obtuse, from erect spreading; throat closed with five small scales, convex, prominent, oblong, converging.
Chives. Five very short threads in the throat of the blossom. Tips oblong, incumbent, covered.
Pointals. Seed-buds four. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the chives. Summit blunt, notched at the end.
Seed-vessel none; the Cup larger and erect, containing the seeds in its bosom.
Seeds four, somewhat oblong, blunt, hunched.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Anchusa foliis lanceolatis, villosis, callosis; floribus racemoso-paniculatis, cœruleis.
Alkanet with lance-shaped leaves, hairy, and callous; flowers grow in bunches nearly panicled, blue.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This is the only species of the Genus we have yet seen from the Cape of Good Hope; and, as it appears that Thunberg discovered but this solitary instance, which he has given in his Prodromus Plantarum Capensium, under the specific title we have here adopted, from him; he, perhaps, thought himself warranted in so naming it; although naming plants from the country where they are first found requires but little reasoning to shew its impropriety. It is a hardy green-house plant, but from all appearance, like the most of this natural order, rather short-lived. It grows freely in a mixture of loam and sandy peat; and there is every appearance that the seeds will ripen, the only method by which there is any likelihood of its being perpetuated.
The plant, before flowering, does not grow above six inches high; but the flower-stem rises near eighteen inches. Our figure was taken from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection; where it flowered for the first time in England in the month of July 1803; having been sent home, by Mr. Niven, from the Cape, in 1800.[Pg 97]
PROTEA TRITERNATA.
Cluster-headed Protea.
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla quadrifida seu quadripetala. Antheræ lineares, insertæ petalis infra apicem. Calyx proprius nullus.
Semina solitaria.
Blossom four-cleft or four petals. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below the point. Empalement proper, none.
Seeds solitary.
See Protea formosa, Pl. XVII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea foliis bipinnatis, brevibus, filiformibus, confertis, glabris; floribus terminalibus, umbellatis; pedunculis bracteis, capitulis longioribus; squamis calycinis subulatis, hirtis.
Protea with doubly winged leaves, short, thread-shaped, crowded and smooth; flowers terminate the branches in umbels; fruit stalks with floral leaves, and longer than the small heads; scales of the cup awl-shaped and hairy.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This beautiful divided leaved Protea has been named, as above, by Thunberg, in his Dissertatio de Protea, n. 7, and in his Prodromus plantarum capensium 25. It is rather a delicate plant, and subject to lose the lower leaves from the stem, which takes something from the beauty of its habit. The young leaves, when they first appear, have a downy character, which disappears as they grow firm. The stem has likewise, in its young state, a tendency to downiness, which is not discovered on the old wood; and is, where the leaves are extant, quite covered by them. It grows to the height of three feet, is propagated by cuttings, and flowers in the month of July. Our figure was taken from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection, which was raised from Cape seeds in 1800, sent from thence by Mr. Niven.[Pg 99]
GERANIUM CORONOPIFOLIUM.
Buck’s-horn-leaved Geranium.
CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.
MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Monogyna. Stigmata quinque. Fructus rostratus, penta-coccus.
One Pointal. Five summits. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry berries.
See Geranium grandiflorum, Pl. XII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Geranium foliis subcuneatis, apice inciso-dentatis, canescentibus, petiolis longissimis; pedunculis subtrifloris; corollis pallidè violaceis; caulê suffruticoso; staminibus quinque fertilibus.
Geranium with nearly wedge-shaped leaves, deeply toothed at the end, whitish and very long foot-stalks; flower stems mostly three-flowered; blossoms pale purple; stem rather woody; five fertile chives.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
The Geranium coronopifolium is one of those species we may fairly denominate biennial; for such is certainly the G. tricolor, G. Oenothera, G. tomentosum, &c. and as such must be propagated every year to have a succession of them. It is readily increased by putting the cuttings into small pots, and plunging them in the heat of a hot-bed or hot-house, early in the month of March; which plants will flower in September. It was first introduced to the Kew Gardens by Mr. Masson in 1792. The plant very delicate, and should be kept in a dry part of the green-house, in a mixture of sandy peat and rich earth. Our figure is from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection; where, likewise, we found the variety of which a flower is given on the plate. Mr. Allen informs us, he procured the Var. by approximating a plant of this species to the G. tricolor; first impregnating the summits of the flower of G. coronopifolium, with the pollen from the tips of the G. tricolor, a method much practised of late for the production of varieties, in many genera.[Pg 101]
LOBELIA CORONOPIFOLIA.
Buck’s-horn-leaved Lobelia.
CLASS XIX. ORDER VI.
SYNGENESIA 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-petal, irregular. Capsule beneath, 2 or 3-celled.
See Lobelia pinifolia, Pl. CCLXXIII. Vol. IV.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Lobelia foliis lanceolatis, dentatis, glabris; floribus solitariis, axillaribus; pedunculis elongatis; stigmatibus obtusis, pilosis.
Lobelia with lance-shaped leaves, toothed and smooth; flowers solitary, from the base of the leaves; foot-stalks lengthened; summits blunt, hairy.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
The character of most of the Lobelias from the Cape, and elsewhere, is, that they are either annual or biennial, and can scarcely be considered as shrubs. Our present subject is a biennial from the Cape of Good Hope, flowers the first year from the seed, if sown in March, and may be preserved a second year; but, as it seeds so abundantly, it is scarce worth the pains to preserve it, as the plants of one year’s growth are so much handsomer than those preserved through the winter. It flowers from July till October, and should be kept in sandy peat earth.
The L. coronopifolia was introduced to the Kew Collection in 1787, by Mr. F. Masson, and is now in most collections.[Pg 103]
LOBELIA GRACILIS.
Slender-stemed Lobelia.
CLASS XIX. ORDER VI.
SYNGENESIA MONOGAMIA. Tips united. Flowers simple.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx 5-fidus. Corolla monopetala, irregularis. Capsula infera, 2-seu 3-locularis.
Cup 5-cleft. Blossom one petal, irregular. Capsule beneath, 2 or 3-celled.
See Lobelia pinifolia, Pl. CCLXXIII. Vol. IV.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Lobelia foliis inferioribus ovatis, sinuatis, superioribus lanceolatis, dentatis; petalis duobus minoribus barbatis; floribus spicatis; stigmatibus bifidis.
Lobelia with the lower leaves egg-shaped and scollopped, the upper ones lance-shaped and toothed; the two smaller petals bearded; flowers grow in spikes; summits two-cleft.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This most delicate little plant, of which our figure represents the whole, was raised in 1801, from Cape seeds, sent by Mr. Niven from thence, for the Clapham gardens; where our drawing was made this year, 1803, in the month of August. It is an annual plant, producing its seeds freely, as do most species of this genus, which should be sown in the month of March, in light sandy peat, and transplanted about May.[Pg 105]
PHASEOLUS CARACALLA.
Snail-Flower Kidney-Bean.
CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.
DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Chives in two sets. Ten Chives.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, bilabiatum; labio superiori emarginato, inferiore tridentato.
Corolla papillionacea.
Vexillum, cordatum, obtusum, emarginatum, reclinatum, lateribus reflexis.
Alæ, ovatæ, longitudine vexilli, unguibus longis insidentes.
Carina, angusta, spiraliter contra solem revoluta.
Stamina. Filamenta diadelpha, (simplex et novemfidum) intra carinam, spiralia. Antheræ decem, simplices.
Pistillum. Germen oblongum, compressum villosum. Stylus filiformis, spiraliter inflexus, superne pubescens. Stigma obtusum, crassiusculum, villosum.
Pericarpium. Legumen longum, rectum, coriaceum, obtusum cum acumine.
Semina reniformia, oblonga, compressa.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, two-lipped, upper lip notched at the end, lower three-toothed.
Blossom butterfly-shaped.
Standard, heart-shaped, blunt, notched at the top, reclined, reflexed at the sides.
Wings, egg-shaped, the length of the Standard, terminating in long claws.
Keel, narrow, twisted spirally contrary to the sun.
Chives. Threads in two sets, (simple and nine-cleft,) within the keel, spiral. Tips ten, simple.
Pointal. Seed-bud oblong, flattened, hairy. Shaft thread-shaped, spirally bent inwards, downy above. Summit blunt, thickish, hairy.
Seed vessel. A long pod, straight, leathery, blunt with a point.
Seeds kidney-shaped, oblong, flattened.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Phaseolus caule volubili; vexillis, carinaque spiraliter convolutis.
Kidney-bean with a twining stem; standards and keel spirally twisted from the left to the right.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
As a singular vegetable production, we have given a specimen of this most curious flower, but not as a novelty, as it is, certainly, rather common, the seeds having frequently been brought to us from Portugal, (to which country it was first introduced from Brasil in South America), ever since the year 1690. It is a climbing plant and must be kept in the hot-house, is propagated by seeds or cuttings, grows to the height of 12 or 14 feet, and should be planted in rich earth. The flowers are produced about August; they are very fragrant, but have not much duration, and the plant has much the resemblance of the common scarlet kidney-bean.[Pg 107]
COBBEA SCANDENS.
Climbing Cobbea.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, semiquinquefidum; laciniis cordatis, mucronatis, patentibus, persistens.
Corolla monopetala, campanulata, versus basin arctata, quinquefida; laciniis concavis, trilobis, ciliatis; squamulæ quinque lanatæ, ad basin sinus tubi, conniventes.
Nectarium, corpus carnosum, quinquangulare, decem sulcatum, germen cingens.
Stamina. Filamenta quinque, squamulis corollæ orta, declinata. Antheræ incumbentes.
Pistillum. Germen ovatum, sulcatum. Stylus filiformis, declinatus, staminibus longior. Stigmata tria, plana, recurvata.
Pericarpium. Capsula oblonga, trilocularis, trivalvis.
Semina plurima, valvulis affixa, compressa, imbricata.
Empalement. Cup one-leaf, half five-cleft; segments heart-shaped, ending in a point, spreading, persistent.
Blossom one-petal, bell-shaped, narrowed towards the base, five-cleft; segments concave, three-lobed, fringed; five woolly scales at the base of the bosom of the tube closing upon each other.
Honey-cup, a fleshy body, five-angled, ten-furrowed, embracing the seed-bud.
Chives. Five threads, arising from the scales of the blossom, declined. Tips lying upon the threads.
Pointal. Seed-bud egg-shaped, furrowed. Shaft thread-shaped, declined, longer than the threads. Summits three, flat, turned back.
Seed-vessel. Capsule oblong, three cells, three valves.
Seeds many, fixed to the valves, flat, tiled.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Cobbea foliis conjugatis, cirrhosis; floribus solitariis, pedunculis longissimis; caule scandenti.
Cobbea with conjugate leaves terminating in a tendril; flowers solitary, foot-stalks very long; stem climbing.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
The specimen, from which our drawing was taken, was communicated by Mrs. Long, from the Collection of the Honourable Charles Long, of Bromley Hill, Kent; where, we believe, the only plant of this fine Genus is at present to be found in Britain; and where it has flowered, for the first time, this year, in the month of September, 1803. It is a native of the East Indies, and must be kept as a hot-house plant; is propagated by cuttings, and thrives in rich earth; will grow, if permitted, to the height of twenty feet or more, and is still in flower this present month of November.[Pg 109]
BLANDFORDIA CORDATA.
Heart-shape-leaved Blandfordia.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, semiquinquefidum; laciniis concavis, ovatis, obtusis, erectis; persistens.
Corolla. Petala quinque, oblongo-linearia, subtruncata, patentia, calyci inserta.
Nectarium urceolatum, membranaceum, germen cingens; limbo quinque-lobo, laciniis clavatis, capitatis.
Stamina. Filamenta nulla. Antheræ quinque, subrotundæ, didymæ; nectarii margini, inter lacinias limbi, affixæ.
Pistillum. Germen subrotundum. Stylus brevissimus, erectus. Stigma obsoletum.
Pericarpium. Capsula oblonga, unilocularis, bivalvis.
Semina plurima, minuta, glabra.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, half-five-cleft; Segments concave, egg-shaped, blunt, upright; remaining.
Blossom. Five petals, oblong-linear, appearing rather cut off at the ends, spreading, inserted into the cup.
Honey-cup pitcher-shaped, skinny, surrounding the seed-bud; border five-lobed, segments club-shaped, and headed.
Chives. Threads none. Tips five, roundish, double; fixed, between the segments of the border, upon the margin of the honey-cup.
Pointal. Seed-bud roundish. Shaft very short, upright. Summit obsolete.
Seed-vessel. Capsule oblong, one cell, two valves.
Seeds many, small, smooth.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Blandfordia foliis cordatis, reticulatis, crenato-dentatis, floribus spicatis.
Blandfordia with leaves heart-shaped, netted, and between scolloped and toothed; flowers grow in spikes.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
The Blandfordia cordata was first observed by Mr. J. Fraser, in the year 1786, on the banks of the Savannah river, near its source, in Georgia, North America; but was not introduced to us until the year 1800, when it was brought to England, amongst many other novelties, by that gentleman. It is, as are most of the plants of that country, rather too tender to resist the severity of our winters; and should be protected, either in the green-house, or in the coolest and shadiest part of the hot-house; where, if it is kept the year through, it will flourish, and flower about the month of June. It is increased by parting the roots about April; delights in moisture and shade; thriving most in a light peat soil, with a small mixture of sandy loam. This plant, from its general habit, would at first sight be taken for a species of Tiarella, or Heuchera, to both which it bears great resemblance, being all, likewise, natives of the same clime; but the strongly differing characters, in the parts of fructification, prevent its being placed to either of those genera. The honey-cup, it is true, might, perhaps, with reason, be considered as the connected threads of ten chives, and what we take to be the segments of its border, set down as so many sterile ones to make up this number. Thus, the plant would be transmuted to the XVI class; but, from our best judgment, we have placed it, as above, in the V.
Our figure is from a specimen communicated by the Right Hon. the Marquis of Blandford, from his magnificent gardens at White Knights, near Reading, Berks. Little need be urged for the propriety of our naming a plant from the Marquis of Blandford; and thus, dedicating this small part of our labours to his lordship; as few, at present, patronize the science, through all its branches, with so much vigour and liberality, or who have equal knowledge in its theory and practice.[Pg 111]
EPIDENDRUM ENSIFOLIUM.
Sword shaped-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 scapo tereti, lævi; foliis ensiformibus; petalis lanceolatis glabris; labio lanceolato, recurvato, maculato.
Epidendrum with a round smooth stem; leaves sword-shaped; petals lance-shaped, smooth; lip lance-shaped, recurved and spotted.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
The Sword-shaped-leaved Epidendrum is a native of China and Japan, was cultivated, before 1792, in the gardens of the Marchioness of Rockingham, at Hillindon, Middlesex. It has more the habit and character of Limodorum than Epidendrum, to which genus it was first placed; and, like the Epidendrum sinense of this work, Plate CCXVI. Vol. III. requires but little heat to keep it in health; preferring a sandy loam to any other matter, for its nourishment. It, like the forenamed, and several other species of this genus, or rather of the genus Limodorum, not being thick-leaved, or parasitic, where indigenous, are of consequence much easier preserved and increased than those of that description. Its flowers, which are produced in September or October, are very fragrant, particularly in the evening, continue in perfection above a month. It is propagated by parting the roots in the month of May.
Our drawing was made from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection.[Pg 113]
HYACINTHUS CORYMBOSUS.
Linear-leaved Cape Hyacinth.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx nullus.
Corolla monopetala, campanulata; limbus sexfidus, reflexus.
Nectarium; pori tres melliferi ad apicem germinis.
Stamina. Filamenta sex, subulata, breviora. Antheræ conniventes.
Pistillum. Germen superum, rotundo-trigonum, trisulcum. Stylus simplex, corolla brevior. Stigma obtusum.
Pericarpium. Capsula subrotunda, triquetra, trilocularis, trivalvis.
Semina bina (sæpius,) subrotunda.
Empalement none.
Blossom one petal, bell-shaped; border six-cleft, reflexed.
Honey-cup, three honied pores at the tip of the seed-bud.
Chives. Six threads awl-shaped, shorter. Tips converging.
Pointal. Seed-bud above, round-three-cornered, three-furrowed. Shaft simple, shorter than the blossom. Summit blunt.
Seed-vessel. Capsula roundish, three-sided, three-celled, three-valved.
Seeds in pairs (often,) roundish.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Hyacinthus corollis infundibuliformibus, corymbosis, erectis; scapo foliis linearibus breviore.
Hyacinth with funnel-shaped blossoms, growing in a broad topped spike, upright; flower-stem shorter than the leaves, which are linear.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.