Part 4

L. japonicum. -- candidum. -- bulbiferum. -- aurantiacum. -- Catesbœi. -- philadelphicum. -- canadense. -- superbum. -- chalcedonicum. pyrenaicum. pomponium. carolinianum. tigrinum. pumilum. longiflorum. spectabile. croceum. prœcox.

Pl. 28.

PENSTEMON Ovatus.

_Ovate-leaved Penstemon._

_Class and Order._--DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA.

Syn. Penstemon ovatus. _Curt. Bot. Mag. N. S._ _pl._ 2903.

Root fibrous, stem erect, two or three feet high--cauline leaves sessile, amplexicaul at the base, cordate, margins dentate, becoming smaller and entire as they approach the summit--radical leaves, large, ovate, dentate, on long channelled petioles--flowers in fascicles, which are axillary--calyx five segments, equal, lanceolate acute--corolla bilabiate, tube purple, lip bright blue, upper lip erect, divided into two segments, three lower reflexed--throat hairy--stamens four, two long, and two short, curved--one barren filament, with an acute claw at the base, apex hairy, style recurved--leaves, when young, of a beautiful purple on the under side.

Great additions have lately been made to this genus, by Mr. Douglas, who has discovered many new and valuable plants in North America, among which is the species figured. According to the Bot. Mag. pl. 2903, N. S. it was found by him "growing plentifully among the limestone rocks on the high mountains about the grand rapids of the Columbia river, at the distance of 140 miles from the ocean," and sent to the Hort. Soc. in 1826; it likes a light loam and sheltered situation, and may be increased by seeds or parting the roots. When well grown it is a very beautiful and elegant plant, and a great acquisition to the flower garden. As we are yet scarcely aware how it may bear the cold of our winters, it will be desirable to protect it from severe frosts. The genus can now boast of many new and beautiful species,

P. speciosum. -- glandulosum. -- prunosum. -- roseum. -- pulchellum. -- campanulatum. -- confertum. Richardsonii. procerum. glaucum. venustum. angustifolium. digitalis.

Pl. 29.

GEUM Quellyon.

_Chili Avens._

_Class and Order._--ICOSANDRIA POLYGNIA.

Syn. Geum Quellyon. _Sweet's B. F. G._ _p._ 292.

-- Geum Coccinium. _Bot. Reg._ 1088.

Root fibrous--radical leaves growing in a tuft, large, lobed, lyrate, interruptedly pinnate, terminal leaflet cordate, margin dentate; side leaflets numerous, sessile, becoming smaller to the base--cauline leaves sessile, pinnatifed--flowers stem radical, erect, branching--stipules ovate, acute--peduncles leafy--flowers terminal--calyx five segments, reflexed, acute--petals five, bright scarlet, nearly round, emarginate, obtuse--stamens numerous--radiated filaments inserted in the tube of the calyx, anthers yellow, styles many, germen superior--whole plant hairy.

This beautiful plant is a very valuable acquisition to our flower borders, from the brilliancy of its colour, and affording a continued succession of flowers. Mr. Sweet, and some of the Continental Botanists consider the specific name "Coccineum," which has been applied to it, as confusing it with the plant known by that name in the "Flora Græca," which, it is supposed, has never been introduced into this country, it appears of much lower growth than the one now figured, with orange flowers, and the terminal leaflet a great deal larger. The species before us is a native of Chili, where it is called "Quellyon" by the inhabitants, who use the root for medicinal purposes. It is a plant of easy cultivation, growing in any common garden soil, and is readily increased by seeds or parting the roots; introduced into this country about the year 1826. There are only two other species worth attention for the flower garden.

G. montanum. -- atlanticum.

Pl. 30.

VERBENA Chamædryfolia.

_Scarlet flowered Vervain._

_Class and Order._--DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERNIA.

Syn. Verbena chamædryfolia. _Persoon's Syn._ _vol._ 2. _p._ 138.

-- Verbena chamædryfolia. _Sweet's B. F. G. 2d series_, _p._ 9.

-- Verbena melindres. _Bot. Reg._ _pl._ 1184.

Root fibrous, stem prostrate, branching--leaves opposite, sessile, oblong, ovate, margins deeply serrate, hairy on both sides--flowers terminal, corymbose--calyx campanulate, five cleft--corolla very bright crimson, tubular, limb spreading, five segments, obtuse emarginate--throat white, hairy--stamens four, two long, two short, inserted in the tube of the corolla--anthers two lobed, style one, smooth, stigma bifid, germen smooth.

The unrivalled brilliancy of the colour of this beautiful species of Verbena, renders it a most ornamental plant for the front of the flower borders, and when grown in large patches it is almost impossible to give an idea of the dazzling splendour of its appearance; it is a plant of the easiest cultivation, and if allowed to grow according to its natural habit, which is prostrate, it will propagate itself by the radicles which are produced at the different joints, and by this means will attach itself to the ground; the plants thus rooted may be removed any time. A brown loamy soil, a good deal of moisture, and a sheltered situation are necessary, and as it is doubtful how it may bear the severity of our winters, it is the safest method to keep some plants in a frame, during severe frosts, which will flower early in the ensuing spring. It is a native of Paraguay and Buenos Ayres, and was introduced into this country about 1827. There are only two other species worth cultivating in the flower garden.

V. aubletia. -- pulchella.

Pl. 31.

LINUM Narbonense.

_Narbonne Flax._

_Class and Order._--PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA.

Syn. Linum Narbonense. _Persoon's Syn._ _vol._ 1. _p._ 334.

Root fibrous,--stem branching,--leaves sessile, alternate, linear acute, smooth, glaucous,--flowers terminal on moderate peduncles,--calyx five segments, linear acute,--corolla bright blue, beautifully vein'd, with a darker shade,--petals five, obovate, margins slightly undulate,--stamens five, anthers oblong, filaments united at the base, surrounding the germen, which is crowned by five thread-like styles.

This is perhaps the finest and most beautiful species of Linum, and bears the largest flowers of any of the hardy kinds. It is a very desirable garden plant, continuing long in bloom, and forming a pleasing variety from its glaucous foilage. It is a native of Spain, Italy, and the south of France, and was introduced into this country about the year 1759; though we are not aware that any figure of it has before been given. This species may be raised from seed, which is produced in abundance; if sown in light rich soil, and protected through the winter, the young plants will flower the following summer, and attain the height of eighteen inches or two feet when in perfection. It is very hardy--this genus does not afford many ornamental species for a flower garden, the most desirable are,

L. perenne. -- alpina. -- flavum.

Pl. 32.

TIGRIDIA Conchiflora.

_Yellow-flowered Tigridia._

_Class and Order._--TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

Syn. Tigridia Conchiflora. _Sweet's B. F. G._ _t._ 128.

Root bulbous--stem radical, angular--leaves alternate, broadly lanceolate, plicate, inflated at the base, dark green, two sheathing spathes at the base of the corolla, ovate, lanceolate--corolla bright orange, slightly tinted with a redder shade on the margin of the petals, base spotted with dark crimson--petals six, three outer petals broadly ovate, acute, base concave, three inner ones smaller, panduriform--stamens three--filaments united--anthers oblong--style longer than the stamens--stigma divided into three parts, each bifid.

This is one of the most splendid plants which has been introduced into this country. It is a native of Mexico, and was brought thence by Mr. Bullock, in 1824. On its first flowering here, it was considered a variety only of T. pavonia, but upon careful examination they appeared to be perfectly distinct. This is satisfactorily proved by Mr. Sweet, in his B. F. G. p. 128. The bulbs may be planted early in the spring in light sandy soil, and placed in a green-house or frame, as it facilitates their flowering: when the weather permits, the roots should be taken out of the pots and put into the open air, in a warm sheltered situation, where they will make a brilliant appearance for a considerable time--when they have done flowering, the roots require to be taken up and kept dry during the winter. The only species with which we are yet acquainted, besides the one figured, is T. pavonia.

Pl. 41.

COLCHICUM Byzantinum.

_Broad-leaved Meadow Saffron._

_Class and Order._--HEXANDRIA TRIGYNIA.

Syn. Colchicum byzantinum. _Bot. Mag._ _pl._ 1122.

-- Colchicum byzantinum. _Sweet's Hort. Brit._ _p._ 539.

Root bulbous, very large--scape radical, many flowered--corolla lilac pink--tube long, petals six, ob-ovate, spreading, strongly nerved at the back of each petal, tipped with a deeper color--stamens six, three longer than the others--filaments inserted in the base of the petals--anthers bright yellow--styles three, longer than the stamens--leaves radical, very large, broadly lanceolate, plicate, smooth, appearing after the flowers decay.

There cannot be a greater ornament to the flower garden in the autumnal months than the C. byzantinum, which is the finest species of the genus. We learn from the Bot. Mag. that, in 1598, bulbs of this plant were received by Clusius, at Vienna, from Constantinople, but it was not until 1629 that it was introduced into this country. It is a native of the Levant, and is perfectly hardy, not requiring any particular mode of treatment, except being planted in a light soil, mixed with bog. The flowers appear about September, but the leaves, which are the largest of any of the species, do not arrive at maturity until the following spring. The C. autumnale is famed for its medicinal properties. This is not a numerous genus; the most desirable species are

C. crociflorum. -- autumnale. -- var. white. -- variegatum.

Pl. 42.

HELIANTHUS Atrorubens.

_Dark-eyed Sunflower._

_Class and Order._--SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA FRUSTRANIA.

Syn. Helianthus atrorubens. _Pursh Flo. N. A._ _vol._ 2, _p._ 573.

-- Helianthus atrorubens. _Bot. Mag._ _pl._ 2668.

Root fibrous--stem tall, erect, branching--radical leaves very large, broadly lanceolate, margins dentate, nerved, of a dark green--cauline leaves sessile, opposite, ovate lanceolate, dentate acute--calyx many segments imbricate, acute--corolla dark bright yellow--radiated florets, barren dentate--florets of the disk fertile--whole plant rugose.

This is perhaps one of the most desirable species of the genus Helianthus, from the brilliancy of the colour and its moderate growth. It makes a striking appearance when planted at the back of the flower borders, and will continue in beauty to a late period in the autumn. According to Pursh it is found in the "western parts of Pennsylvania," and was introduced into this country in 1732. It will grow well in any good garden soil, and may be increased by parting the roots. There are not many species of this genus suitable for a flower garden, as they grow to such a large size, and take up so much room: the best are

H. mollis. -- multiflorus. -- diffusus.

Pl. 43.

LUPINUS Mutabilis.

_Changeable-flowered Lupin._

_Class and Order._--DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

Syn. Lupinus mutabilis. _Bot. Mag._ _pl._ 2682.

-- Lupinus mutabilis. _Sweet's B. F. G._ _vol._ 2, _p._ 130.

Root fibrous--stem suffruticose, branching, smooth--leaves on long petioles, digitate; leaflets (generally nine) oblong, mucronate--spike lateral--flowers verticillate, on short pedicels, white, changing to a beautiful purple as decay approaches--calyx two segments; upper segment erect, emarginate; lower one acute--vexillum nearly round, sides reflexed, yellow at the base--alæ broad obtuse--carina acute, enclosing the parts of fructification--stamens ten--filaments united at the base, concealing the germen--style a little longer than the stamens--stigma very small--legumen broad, margin deeply undulate, containing generally three white smooth seeds.

The genus Lupinus is now become very interesting, from the numerous fine species that have lately been introduced; none can exceed in beauty the one here figured, which possesses a peculiar attraction from its flowers being most beautiful when in a state of decay. According to the Bot. Mag. p. 2682, it was "raised from seeds received by Mr. Barclay, from Bogota, in Columbia, and communicated in flower in August 1826." There is no doubt it will soon be generally cultivated, as it bears seeds in abundance, which may be sown in good rich soil in the open ground, and the plants thus reared will flower abundantly during the summer months, and continue in beauty till destroyed by frost. It is yet uncertain whether this species be more than annual. Amongst the finest of this genus are

L. polyphyllus. -- canaliculatus. -- versicolor. -- bicolor. -- leucophyllus. -- nootkatensis. -- perennis. -- lepidus.

Pl. 44.

PAPAVER Nudicaule.

_Naked-stalked Poppy._

_Class and Order._--POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

Syn. Papaver nudicaule. _Hort. Kew._ _vol._ 3. _p._ 289.

-- Papaver nudicaule. _Bot. Mag._ _pl._ 1633.

Root fibrous--leaves radical, clustered, on long channelled petioles, pinnatifid, hairy--stem radical, naked, erect when the flower expands, hairy--flower terminal--calyx two segments, concave, deciduous--corolla very pale yellow--petals four spreading, orbicular, margins crenate--stamens numerous, inserted into the receptacle--anthers dark yellow--style cylindrical--stigma stellate.

Though this species of Papaver cannot boast of brilliancy of colour, it is nevertheless a very lovely plant from its delicacy and simplicity; and, from the continued succession of flowers, it will be found an ornamental plant to our gardens. According to the Hort. Kew. p. 289, "it is a native of Norway and Siberia, and was cultivated in 1730 by Dr. James Sherard." Numerous beautiful varieties have been raised from seed, which make a very gay appearance all through the summer and autumn, until checked by frost: these are quite hardy, and will grow in any light rich soil. The most ornamental species are

P. bracteatum. -- alpinum. -- crocea. rubro-aurantiacum. orientale.

Pl. 45.

GLADIOLUS Cardinalis.

_Superb Corn-flag._

_Class and Order._--TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

Syn. Gladiolus Cardinalis. _Bot. Mag._ _t._ 135.

Root bulbous--leaves radical, embracing the stem at the base, linear, lanceolate, striate--scape sometimes two feet in height, drooping, many-flowered--calyx two sheath-like segments, lanceolate, acute--corolla bright scarlet, monopetalous, campanulate, tube long, limb six segments, irregular, oblong, ovate, margins undulate; three smaller segments beautifully marked with a white stripe on the centre of each--stamens three--filaments long, inserted in the tube of the corolla--anthers oblong--style longer than the stamens--stigma divided into three parts.

It is almost impossible to give an adequate representation of the brilliant colour of this beautiful species of Gladiolus, which was introduced into this country from Holland, about the year 1789, by the gardener to the King of Naples: though generally considered a tender plant, it will be found to grow well out of doors, in a southern aspect and sheltered situation, only requiring protection in the winter to keep the roots from severe frosts. Many of the bulbs from the Cape of Good Hope, of which place this is a native, may be grown well with care and attention in the open air, and make a beautiful addition to the flower garden in the summer months. The bulbs should be planted six or eight inches deep in a rich sandy soil, in a south aspect, where they will grow strong and flower freely. The hardiest species are

G. tristis. -- byzantinus. -- communis. -- carneus. -- segetum.

Pl. 46.

COMMELINA Cœlestis.

_Sky-blue Commelina._

_Class and Order._--TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

Syn. Commelina Cœlestis. _Sweet's B. F. G._ _t._ 3.

-- Commelina Cœlestis. _Rœmer et Schultz, sys. veg. v._ 1. _p._ 533.

-- Commelina Cœlestis. _Wild Enumer_, _vol._ 1. _p._ 61.

Root tuberous, fasciculated, fusiform--stem erect, branching--leaves smooth, ovate, lanceolate, striate, margins undulate, base concave, sheathing the stem, fringed on one side with a line of hairs--peduncle pubescent--flower terminal--involucrum cordate, acute, enclosing two or more flowers--pedicel smooth, very short--calyx three segments, alternate with the petals--corolla bright blue--petals three, equal, ovate, margins undulate--nectaries three, erect--stamens three--filaments recurved--anthers sagittate--style longer than the stamens--stigma very small.

Though this plant is frequently confused with C. tuberosa it is proved to be decidedly distinct, Mr. Sweet having obligingly informed the author that he has carefully compared the two species, and thus confirmed the opinions of Rœmer et Schultz, and other botanists on the Continent, where the distinction is now generally adopted. This species, which has a larger and lighter coloured flower, longer and narrower leaves, than C. tuberosa, is a native of Mexico, and was introduced into this country in 1813: it has been generally treated as a green-house plant, but it will grow perfectly well in the open air, though from the fleshy nature of the roots it is necessary to take them up in winter, and treat them in the same manner as Dahlias. C. crassifolia is the only species besides the two above mentioned, suitable for the flower garden.

Pl. 47.

STERNBERGIA Lutea.

_Yellow Sternbergia._

_Class and Order._--HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

Syn. Sternbergia Lutea. _Sweet's Hort. Brit._ _p._ 505.

-- Amaryllis Lutea. _Bot. Mag._ _t._ 290.

Root bulbous--leaves radical, broadly linear, channelled, obtuse, dark green, lighter underneath--scape one-flowered, seven or eight inches high--spathe ovate, lanceolate--corolla yellow--six petals, oblong, obtuse, margin entire--stamens six--filaments inserted at the base of the petals--anthers oblong--style one--stigma very small--germen large.

This plant, formerly known as Amaryllis lutea, is a native of the South of Europe, and various parts of the East. Though introduced into this country as early as 1596, it is by no means common. When planted in the front of the borders it is very ornamental, particularly when exposed to a bright sun, which causes the flowers to expand. It has acquired a more interesting character, from the supposition entertained by the late Sir J. E. Smith, that it may possibly be the Lily of Scripture, to which we find such beautiful allusions in the Sacred writings. Sir J. E. S. observes, "It is natural to presume the Divine Teacher, according to his usual custom, called the attention of his hearers to some object at hand; and, as the fields of the Levant are overrun with the Amaryllis lutea, whose golden liliaceous flowers in Autumn afford one of the most brilliant and gorgeous objects in nature, the expression of 'Solomon, in all his glory, not being arrayed like one of these,' is peculiarly appropriate." It is a plant of easy cultivation, perfectly hardy, and will grow in any good garden soil. At present there are few species of this genus.

S. colchiciflora. -- Clusiana.

Pl. 48.

Transcriber's Notes:

Italics are shown thus: _sloping_.

Small capitals have been capitalised.

Variations in spelling and hyphenation are retained.

Punctuation has been retained as published.

The order of the plates are as presented in the original publication.