Part 4

LEAVES by threes, linear, blunt, small, smooth and straight.

FLOWERS terminate the smaller branches mostly by threes, nearly drooping: blossom globular, white, and covered with soft hairs.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers from the month of April till June.

REFERENCE.

1. The Empalement magnified.

2. A Chive magnified.

3. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified.

4. Seed-bud magnified.

The Erica nivalis is a perfectly new species, and very distinct from any of the numerous species at present in cultivation with us. Our drawing was made at the Hammersmith Nursery in May 1820. It is with difficulty increased by cuttings.

ERICA Ollula.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ERICA, antheris aristatis, tortis, inclusis: flores ramos terminant in fasciculis: foliis sparsis.

DESCRIPTIO.

CAULIS subpedalis, fruticosus: ramis longis, adscendentibus.

FOLIA sparsa, linearia, longa, obtusa: petiolis longis, adpressis.

FLORES conferti, fasciculati, terminales: pedunculis longissimis, rubris, bracteis duabus distantibus: corolla urceolata, saturate carnea: oriis laciniis æqualibus, patentibus.

GERMEN tiaræforme, sulcatum, ad basin nectariis melliferis instructum.

Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.

Floret a mense Julii ad Octobrem.

REFERENTIA.

1. Calyx.

2. Corolla.

3. Antheræ et Pistillum, anthera una lente aucta.

4. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto.

5. Germen lente auctum.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

HEATH, with twisted, bearded tips within the blossom: flowers terminate the branches in bunches: leaves scattered.

DESCRIPTION.

STEM scarce a foot high, shrubby: branches long and ascending.

LEAVES scattered, linear, long, and blunt-ended: footstalks pressed to the branches.

FLOWERS crowded together in bunches at the ends of the branches: footstalks very long and red, with two floral-leaves set at a distance on them: blossom pitcher-shaped, and of a deep flesh-colour: segments of the border equal and spreading.

SEED-BUD turban-shaped, furrowed, and furnished at the base with honey-bearing nectaries.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers from the month of July till October.

REFERENCE.

1. The Empalement.

2. A Blossom.

3. The Chives and Pointal, one tip magnified.

4. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified.

5. Seed-bud magnified.

THIS handsome little shrub was, we believe, first raised from Cape seed about the year 1814. It is one of the most ornamental of those Ericas recently introduced. The flowers are crowded together in bunches, and remain a long time in successive bloom.

ERICA pedunculata.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ERICA, antheris aristatis, inclusis: floribus terminalibus: pedunculis longissimis: foliis sparsis, pilosis.

DESCRIPTIO.

CAULIS pedalis et ultra: ramis longis, divaricatis, foliis vestitis.

FLORES, in umbellis terminalibus, cernui: pedunculis longissimis, rubris, lucidis: corolla globoso-campanulata, pallide purpurea.

GERMEN tiaræforme, sulcatum.

Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.

Floret a mense Martii in Julium.

REFERENTIA.

1. Calyx.

2. Anthera una lente aucta.

3. Germen lente auctum.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

HEATH, with bearded tips, within the blossom: flowers terminal: footstalks very long: leaves scattered, and hairy.

DESCRIPTION.

STEM a foot or more high; branches long, straggling, and clothed with leaves.

FLOWERS grow in terminal umbels, nodding: footstalks very long, red, and shining; blossom globularly bell-shaped, of a pale purple colour.

SEED-BUD turban-shaped, and furrowed.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers from March till July.

REFERENCE.

1. The Empalement.

2. One Tip magnified.

3. The Seed-bud magnified.

THIS fine species of Erica was introduced from the Cape of Good Hope to the gardens of G. Hibbert, Esq. in the summer of 1806. Our figure represents about one half of the plant, which being unique, the wish to increase it caused its destruction, as more cuttings were taken from it than its high state of inflorescence could endure; and although all possible care was taken to preserve the young plants, not one of them survived the winter.

ERICA pellucida _rubra_.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ERICA, antheris muticis, inclusis: stylo exerto: foliis quaternis: floribus terminalibus: caule fruticoso.

DESCRIPTIO.

CAULIS fruticosus, pedalis et ultra, ramis numerosis filiformibus.

FOLIA quaterna, horizontaliter patentia, brevia, sub-linearia, obtusa, marginibus hispidis.

FLORES in ramis terminalibus unus vel quatuor, cernui: corolla clavata, curvata, rubella.

GERMEN tiaræforme, sulcatum, ad basin nectariis melliferis instructum.

Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.

Floret a mense Augusti ad Novembrem.

REFERENTIA.

1. Stamina a Pistillo diducta, anthera una lente aucta.

2. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto.

3. Varietates floribus intermediis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

HEATH, with beardless tips, within the blossom: shaft without: leaves grow by fours: flowers terminal: stem shrubby.

DESCRIPTION.

STEM shrubby, a foot or more high, with numerous thread-shaped branches.

LEAVES by fours, spreading horizontally, short, nearly linear, blunt-ended, with bristly margins.

FLOWERS terminate the branches in one to four flowers, nodding: blossom club-shaped, curved, and of a reddish colour.

SEED-BUD turban-shaped, furrowed, and furnished at the base with honey-bearing nectaries.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers from the month of August till November.

REFERENCE.

1. The Chives and Pointal, one tip magnified.

2. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified.

3. Intermediate flower varieties.

THIS Erica varies considerably from the original species, and yet retains the leading feature of transparency that designates the mother plant. The flowers given with the dissections are from plants nearly allied to the white-flowered _pellucida_; and had we been then in possession of them, they would have arranged better with that figure; but this opportunity admits of their being made use of as intermediate varieties of flower only.

Our drawing was taken at the Hammersmith nursery in 1816, where it was first raised from seed.

ERICA peltata.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ERICA antheris muticis, subexsertis: stylo exserto, filiformi: stigmate peltato, magno: floribus axillaribus, terminalibus: foliis ternis: ramis numerosis: caule erecto.

DESCRIPTIO.

CAULIS subpedalis: rami et ramuli numerosi, filiformes, adscendentes.

FOLIA terna, erecto-patentia, linearia, recta, obtusa.

FLORES axillares, terminales: pedunculi longi, bracteis calyci adpressis: corolla campanulata, parva, carnea, subcernua: stylo filiformi, longo: stigmate peltato, magno.

Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.

Floret a mense Julii in Octobrem.

REFERENTIA.

1. Calyx lente auctus.

2. Corolla lente aucta.

3. Stamina lente aucta.

4. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto.

5. Germen lente auctum.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

HEATH, with beardless tips, just without the blossom: shaft without, thread-shaped: summit shield-shaped and large: flowers grow from the axillæ of the leaves, and terminate the branches: leaves by threes: branches numerous: stem upright.

DESCRIPTION.

STEM nearly a foot high: the large and small branches are numerous, thread-shaped, and ascending.

LEAVES by threes, between erect and spreading, linear, straight and obtuse.

FLOWERS grow from the axillæ of the leaves, and terminate the branches: peduncles long, with floral leaves pressed to the cup: blossom bell-shaped, small, flesh-coloured, and nearly nodding: shaft thread-shaped and long: summit shield-shaped and large.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers from the month of July till October.

REFERENCE.

1. The Empalement magnified.

2. A Blossom magnified.

3. The Chives magnified.

4. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified.

5. Seed-bud magnified.

IN the Genus Erica it is sometimes very difficult to find an appropriate or unoccupied specific title. This little shrub furnishes no less than four to choose from: this choice has already given the additional title of _exserta_ to that of _peltata_, from the trivial circumstance of the pointals protruding a little more in some plants than others: a mere casualty, probably depending on its strength or culture. The flowers are so very minute, that the pointals are the most conspicuous, resembling shields in miniature. The anthers are large, compared to the small size of the flowers, and so fertile, that when in full bloom if shaken, they emit such a quantity of pollen as would afford the specific titles of fertilis or farinosa.

Our drawing was made at Mr. Lee’s last summer (1823); but we have seen it in bloom as long ago as 1806.

ERICA perspicua.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ERICA, antheris muticis, inclusis: floribus cylindricis, villosis, ramulos terminantibus: foliis ternis, linearibus.

DESCRIPTIO.

CAULIS fruticosus, sesquipedalis, erectus, et patens: ramuli numerosi.

FOLIA terna, linearia, subtus sulcata: petiolis longis, adpressis.

FLORES terni, ramulos terminantes: pedunculi colorati, bracteis duabus parvis adpressis: corolla cylindracea et pilosa, ad basin purpurea, et superne alba; laciniis ovatis, patentibus: calycis foliolis lanceolatis, adpressis.

GERMEN tiaræforme, sulcatum, ad basin nectariis melliferis instructum.

Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.

Floret a mense Aprili in Novembrem.

REFERENTIA.

1. Calyx.

2. Stamina et Pistillum.

3. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

HEATH, with beardless tips within the blossom: flowers cylindrical, hairy, and terminating the small branches: leaves by threes, linear.

DESCRIPTION.

STEM shrubby, a foot and a half high, upright, and spreading: smaller branches numerous.

LEAVES by threes, linear, furrowed beneath, with longish footstalks pressed to the branches.

FLOWERS terminate the smaller branches by threes: peduncles coloured, with two small floral leaves pressed to them: blossom cylindrical and hairy, purple at the base, and white at the upper part: segments of the border ovate and spreading: leaves of the empalement lance-shaped, and pressed to the blossom.

SEED-BUD turban-shaped, furrowed, and furnished with honey-bearing nectaries at the base.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers from the month of April till November.

REFERENCE.

1. The Empalement.

2. Chives and Pointal.

3. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified.

THIS elegant plant resembles the E. Linnæa, and is by most cultivators as well known by the appellation of the old Linneoides as by the specific title of perspicua.

It flowers early in spring, and continues in successive bloom till late in autumn. It was first raised from Cape seed in the Royal gardens at Kew, and flowered in the nursery of Mr. Williams at Turnham Green about the year 1796.

Our figure was taken from a luxuriant specimen in the summer of 1807.

ERICA Plukenetia, _albens_.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ERICA, antheris muticis, exertis, longissimis: floribus pendentibus: foliis ternis, fasciculatis.

DESCRIPTIO.

CAULIS erectus, sesquipedalis, fruticosus: rami subsimplices, ramulis brevissimis tecti.

FOLIA terna, fasciculata, linearia, arcuata, acuta, glabra.

FLORES subsolitarii, pendentes a ramulis, in medio ramorum crescentes, et spicam laxam formantes: pedunculis longis, bracteis tribus minutis ad basin instructis: corolla conica, exalbida, laciniis erectis.

GERMEN tiaræforme, sulcatum, ad basin nectariis melliferis instructum.

Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.

Floret a mense Maii in Septembrem.

REFERENTIA.

1. Calyx.

2. Stamina et Pistillum.

3. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto.

4. Germen lente auctum.

5. Flos varietatis magnæ.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

HEATH, with beardless tips, without the blossom, and very long: flowers hanging down: leaves by threes, bundled together.

DESCRIPTION.

STEM upright, a foot and a half high, shrubby: the large branches nearly simple, and covered with numerous small branches.

LEAVES by threes, bundled together, linear, bowed, pointed, and smooth.

FLOWERS nearly solitary, hanging down from the small branches, growing near the middle of the large branches, and forming a loose spike: footstalks long, and furnished at the base with three small floral leaves: blossom conical and whitish: segments of the border upright.

SEED-BUD turban-shaped, furrowed, and furnished at the base with honey-bearing nectaries.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers from May till September.

REFERENCE.

1. The Empalement.

2. Chives and Pointal.

3. Seed-bud Pointal, summit magnified.

4. Seed-bud magnified.

5. Flower of a large variety.

THE flowers of this Erica possess a negative sort of colour, that forms a good contrast to the purply red of the other species of Plukenetia, but when out of flower it is not easily distinguished from them. Our drawing was made from the Hibbertian collection. We are doubtful whether the plant is not at present lost to us, not having seen it for several years. We have long ago figured it in the octavo work, and should have then published it in our folio edition; but wished to give a fine specimen of the large-flowered variety in preference. We have not, however, seen one plant of it since, except that from which the gigantic flower in the dissection was taken at Mr. Rollinson’s Nursery at Lower Tooting, which was rich in foliage, but had scarcely any blossoms.

ERICA præstans.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ERICA, antheris muticis, inclusis: stylo sub-exerto: floribus urceolatis, terminalibus: foliis quaternis.

DESCRIPTIO.

CAULIS pedalis, erectus, ramosus: rami et ramuli graciles.

FOLIA quaterna, linearia, erecta, obtusa.

FLORES terminales, in umbellis quaternis vel octonis: pedunculis brevibus: corollis urceolatis, albis: laciniis magnis, expansis.

GERMEN tiaræforme, sulcatum, ad basin nectariis melliferis instructum.

Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.

Floret a mense Junii in Novembrem.

REFERENTIA.

1. Calyx.

2. Stamina et Pistillum.

3. Stamina et Pistillum, anthera una lente aucta.

4. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

HEATH, with beardless tips, within the blossom: shaft just without: flowers pitcher-shaped and terminal: leaves by fours.

DESCRIPTION.

STEM a foot high, upright, shrubby: large and small branches slender.

LEAVES by fours, linear, upright, and blunt-ended.

FLOWERS terminate the branches in umbels of four to eight: footstalks short: blossom pitcher-shaped, and white: segments of the border large and spreading.

SEED-BUD turban-shaped, furrowed, and furnished with honey-bearing nectaries at the base.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers from June till November.

REFERENCE.

1. The Empalement.

2. The Chives and Pointal.

3. The Chives and Pointal, one tip magnified.

4. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified.

THIS Erica, although a distinct species, does not possess any prominent feature sufficient to distinguish it from many others; we have therefore retained the specific title of præstans (by which it is known to some cultivators), although it is an appellation to which the plant has but little claim compared with the numerous beautiful species of which this very extensive Genus is composed. It was first raised from seed brought from the Cape of Good Hope by Mr. Niven. It flowers from the end of spring till late in autumn.

ERICA pumila.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ERICA, antheris cristatis, inclusis: floribus cylindraceis, terminalibus, bicoloribus: foliis ternis, obtusis: ramis divaricatis: caule humili.

DESCRIPTIO.

FRUTEX pygmæus, rami et ramuli numerosi, divaricati, plerumque foliis tecti.

FOLIA ternata, linearia, obtusa, recta, glabra, supra plana, subtus sulcata, marginibus rotundatis.

FLORES plerumque ternata, patento-cernui; pedunculi breves, colorati, bracteis tribus coloratis instructi; corolla cylindracea, incarnata; laciniis oris viridibus, pallidis, erectis; calycis foliolis ovatis, coloratis, adpressis.

GERMEN tiaræforme, bicoloratum, ad basin nectariis melliferis instructum.

Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.

Floret a mense Maio in Augustum.

REFERENTIA.

1. Folium.

2. Calyx lente auctus.

3. Stamen auctum.

4. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto.

5. Germen lente auctum.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

HEATH, with crested tips, within the blossom: flowers cylindrical, terminal, and two-coloured: leaves by threes, obtuse: branches straddling: stem low.

DESCRIPTION.

A DWARF shrub, the large and small branches numerous, straddling, and mostly covered with leaves.

LEAVES by threes, linear, obtuse, straight, smooth, flat on the upper surface, furrowed beneath, and rounded at the edges.

FLOWERS grow mostly by threes, spreading, or nodding; footstalks short, coloured, and furnished with three coloured floral leaves; blossoms cylindrical, flesh-coloured; segments of the border of a pale green, and upright: the leaflets of the cup are ovate, coloured, and pressed to the blossom.

SEED-BUD turban-shaped, two-coloured, and furnished at the base with honey-bearing nectaries.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers from the month of May till August.

REFERENCE.

1. A leaf.

2. The Empalement magnified.

3. A Chive magnified.

4. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified.

5. Seed-bud magnified.

THE Erica pumila is a new species, and very distinct from any with which we are at present acquainted. Our figure represents the entire plant, just as we received it growing in a pot. It was first raised at the Hibbertian collection in 1805, by Mr. Knight, with whom it has flowered this summer, for the first time in England. From the very small size, and slow growth of all the plants of this species as yet in cultivation with us, we are inclined to think it will not at any future period assume a gigantic appearance; but will most likely, continue to retain a claim to the specific appellation of pumila.

ERICA pygmæa.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ERICA, antheris aristatis, inclusis: flores ramos terminant in umbellis: foliis ternatis: ramis virgatis.

DESCRIPTIO.

CAULIS humilis: rami et ramuli numerosi, filiformes: rami longi, patentes, decumbentes.

FOLIA ternata, glabra, curvata, patentia, acuminata.

FLORES ramos terminant in umbellis: in ramulis plerumque ternis: pedunculis longis, coloratis, pilosis: corolla campanulata, pilosa, saturate purpurea.

GERMEN tiaræforme, sulcatum, ad basin nectariis melliferis instructum.

Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.

Floret a mense Julii ad Octobrem.

REFERENTIA.

1. Calyx.

2. Corolla expansa.

3. Antheræ et Pistillum, anthera una lente aucta.

4. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

HEATH, with bearded tips, within the blossom: flowers terminate the branches in umbels: leaves by threes: branches twiggy.

DESCRIPTION.

STEM low: the large and small branches numerous and thread-shaped: the larger branches are long, spreading, and decumbent.

LEAVES by threes, smooth, curved, spreading, and sharp-pointed.

FLOWERS terminate the branches in umbels: in the smaller branches mostly by threes: footstalks long, coloured, and hairy: blossoms bell-shaped, hairy, and of a deep purple colour.

SEED-BUD turban-shaped, furrowed, and furnished at the base with honey-bearing nectaries.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers from the month of July till October.

REFERENCE.

1. The Empalement.

2. The Blossom spread open.

3. The Chives and Pointal, one tip magnified.

4. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified.

OUR figure represents an entire plant from the nursery of Mr. Lee, the only collection in which we have as yet seen this very distinct species of Erica. It is a dwarf shrub (more curious than beautiful), raised from Cape seed about the year 1810, and called E. _sanguinolenta_; which we have no doubt will be readily superseded by the more appropriate title of _pygmæa_, by which it may be easily recognised either in or out of bloom.

ERICA quadrangularis.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ERICA, antheris muticis, inclusis: floribus terminalibus: corollis quadrangularibus: caule erecto.

DESCRIPTIO.

CAULIS sesquipedalis, fruticosus, erectus, ramosus: ramis et ramulis longis.

FOLIA numerosa, sparsa, ensiformia, curvata, adscendentia et patentia, supra plana, subtus sulcata.

FLORES ramulos terminant, terni, quaterni vel quini, erecti vel patentes: corolla bicolorata, supra alba, infra incarnata, tubulosa, quadrata, quatuor valvis vel suturis: oris laciniis revolutis.

Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.

Floret a mense Aprili in Junium.

REFERENTIA.

1. Calyx.

2. Corolla expansa.

3. Anthera una.

4. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

HEATH, with beardless tips within the blossom: flowers terminal: blossoms quadrangular: stem erect.

DESCRIPTION.

STEM a foot and a half high, shrubby, upright, and branching: the large and small branches long.

LEAVES numerous, scattered, sword-shaped, curved, ascending and spreading, flat on their upper surface, and furrowed beneath.

FLOWERS terminate the smaller branches in threes, fours, or fives, erect or spreading: blossom two-coloured, white above and flesh-coloured beneath, tubular, squared, with four valves or seams: segments of the border rolled back.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers from the month of April till June.

REFERENCE.

1. The Empalement.

2. A Blossom spread out.

3. A Chive.

4. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified.

This new species of Erica is at present but little known: the only collections in which we have seen it are Mr. Rollinson’s at Tooting, and Mr. Lee’s Nursery, where our drawing was taken in 1819. It was first raised from Cape seed in 1812, but is still a scarce plant, and not easily increased by cuttings. It is very handsome when in flower: its blossoms resemble wax, with four seams or valves, very unlike any other species we are at present acquainted with.

ERICA radiata discolor.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ERICA antheris muticis, inclusis: floribus verticillatis: caule fruticoso, erecto.

DESCRIPTIO.

CAULIS bipedalis, erectus, ramosus: ramis subsimplicibus.

FOLIA plerumque quaterna, linearia, patentia, undulata, acuminata.

FLORES in ramulorum sub apicibus verticillati, horizontaliter siti: corolla subcylindracea: oris laciniis recurvatis, cordatis, albis.

GERMEN tiaræforme, sulcatum, villosum, ad basin nectariis melliferis instructum.

Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.

Floret per menses autumnales.

REFERENTIA.

1. Varietas Ericæ metulæflora discolor.

2. Calyx.

3. Stamen et Pistillum, anthera una lente aucta.

4. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

HEATH with beardless tips within the blossom: flowers grow in whorls: stem shrubby and upright.

DESCRIPTION.

STEM two feet high, upright and branching: the branches nearly simple.

LEAVES mostly by fours, linear, spreading, undulate, and pointed.

FLOWERS grow in whorls near the ends of the branches, standing horizontally; blossom nearly cylinder-shaped: segments of the border recurved, heart-shaped, and white.

SEED-BUD turban-shaped, furrowed, villose, and furnished at the base with honey-bearing nectaries.

Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Flowers during the autumnal months.

REFERENCE.

1. Discoloured variety of Erica Metulæflora.

2. Calyx.

3. Stamen and Pointal, one tip magnified.

4. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified.

THE Ericas _radiata_ and _metulæflora_, figured in the 1st and 3rd volume of this work, are scions from a hybrid production of an Erica known by the specific title of _spuria_. Our figure represents an elegant variety of the E. radiata, raised from Cape seed at the Nursery of Messrs. Rollinson in the autumn of 1826.

Among the dissections we have taken the opportunity of giving a branch with flowers of a similar variation of E. metulæflora, to avoid the necessity for a separate figure.

ERICA recurvata.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.