The Botanical Magazine, Vol. 04 Or, Flower-Garden Displayed
Chapter 1
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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. IV.~
Observe the rising Lily's snowy grace, Observe the various vegetable race; They neither toil nor spin, but careless grow, Yet see how warm they blush! how bright they glow! What regal vestments can with them compare! What king so shining, or what queen so fair. THOMSON.
LONDON:
Printed by COUCHMAN and FRY, Throgmorton-Street. For
W. CURTIS, No 3, _St. George's-Crescent_, Black-Friars-Road; And Sold by
the principal Booksellers in Great-Britain and Ireland.
M DCC XCI.
* * * * *
[109]
LAVATERA TRIMESTRIS. ANNUAL LAVATERA.
_Class and Order_.
MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA.
_Generic Character._
_Calyx_ duplex: exterior 3-fidus. _Arilli_ plurimi, monospermi.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
LAVATERA _trimestris_ caule scabro herbaceo, foliis glabris, pedunculis unifloris, fructibus orbiculo tectis. _Linn. Sp. Pl. 974._ _Hort. Kew. v. 2. p. 452._
LAVATERA _(althææfolia)_ foliis infimis cordato-orbiculatis, caulinis trilobis acuminatis glabris, pedunculis unifloris, caule herbaceo. _Miller's Gard. Dict. ed. 6. 4to._
MALVA folio vario. _Bauh. Pin. 315._
MALVA Hispanica flore carneo amplo.
The Spanish blush Mallow. _Park. Parad. p. 366._
Our plant is undoubtedly the _Spanish blush Mallow_ of PARKINSON, and the _Lavatera althææfolia_ of MILLER according to the former, it is a native of Spain, according to the latter, of Syria.
Mr. MILLER considers it as distinct from the _trimestris_; Mr. AITON has no _althææfolia_ in his _Hort. Kew._ we are therefore to conclude that the _althææfolia_ of MILLER, and the _trimestris_ of LINNÆUS are one and the same species.
Of the annuals commonly raised in our gardens, this is one of the most shewy, as well as the most easily cultivated; its seeds are to be sown in March, on the borders where they are to remain, the plants, thinned as they come up, and kept clear of weeds.
It varies with white blossoms, and flowers from July to September.
[110]
MIMOSA VERTICILLATA. WHORL'D-LEAV'D MIMOSA.
_Class and Order._
POLYGAMIA MONOECIA.
_Generic Character._
HERMAPHROD. _Cal._ 5-dentatus. _Cor._ 5-fida. _Stam._ 5. f. plura. _Pist._ 1. _Legumen._
MASC. _Cal._ 5-dentatus. _Cor._ 5-fida. _Stam._ 5. 10. plura.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
MIMOSA _verticillata_ intermis, foliis verticillatis linearibus pungentibus. _L'Herit. fert. angl. t. 41._ _Hort. Kew. p. 438._
The radical leaves of plants usually differ in shape from those of the stalk, in some plants remarkably so; the _Lepidium perfoliatum_ figured in the _Flora Austriaca_ of Professor JACQUIN is a striking instance of this dissimilarity: the _Lathyrus Aphaca_, a British plant, figured in the _Flora Lond._ is still more such, as large entire leaf-like stipulæ grow in pairs on the stalk, instead of leaves, while the true leaves next the root, visible when the plant first comes up from seed, are few in number, and those pinnated. The present plant no less admirably illustrates the above remark, the leaves which first appear on the seedling plants being pinnated, as is represented in the small figure on the plate, while those which afterwards come forth grow in whorls. We have observed the same disposition to produce dissimilar leaves in several other species of _Mimosa_, which have arisen from Botany-Bay seeds, lately introduced.
This singular species, on the authority of Mr. DAVID NELSON, is a native of New South Wales, and was introduced to the royal garden at Kew by Sir JOSEPH BANKS, Bart.
We first saw it in flower, and have since seen it with ripe seed-pods, at Mr. MALCOLM's, Kennington.
It is properly a green-house plant, and propagated only by seeds, which are to be sown on a gentle hot-bed.
It is some years in arriving at its flowering state.
[111]
LATHYRUS TUBEROSUS. TUBEROUS LATHYRUS, or PEASE EARTH-NUT.
_Class and Order._
DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.
_Generic Character._
_Stylus_ planus, supra villosus, superne latior. _Cal._ laciniæ superiores 2 breviores.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
LATHYRUS _tuberosus_ pedunculis multifloris, cirrhis diphyllis: foliolis ovalibus, internodiis nudis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 663._
LATHYRUS arvensis repens tuberosus. _Bauh. Pin. 344._
LATHYRUS arvensis sive terræ glandes. Pease Earth-Nuts. _Parkins. Theat. p. 1061._
Grows spontaneously in various parts of France and Germany; Mr. PHILIP HURLOCK lately shewed me some dried specimens of this plant, which he gathered in the corn fields, on the _Luneburgh Heide_, in _Upper Lusatia_, where it grew plentifully, and afforded a pleasing appearance to the curious traveller:--not so to the husbandman, to whom it is as noxious as the _Convolvulus arvensis_ (_small Bindweed_) is with us, and equally difficult to extirpate, having powerfully creeping roots, which somewhat like the _Helianthus tuberosus_ (commonly called _Jerusalem Artichoke_) produce large tubera, and which like those of that plant, are in high esteem with some as an article of food, and as such even cultivated abroad.
It flowers from June to the end of August. It is certainly a beautiful hardy perennial, similar to (but of more humble growth) than the everlasting pea, yet must be cautiously introduced on account of its creeping roots, by which it is most readily propagated, rarely ripening its seeds with us.
It is, perhaps, better suited to decorate the unclip'd hedge of the pleasure-ground, than the border of the flower-garden.
[112]
CISTUS LADANIFERUS. GUM CISTUS.
_Class and Order._
POLYANDRIA MONOGNIA.
_Generic Character._
_Corolla_ 5-petala. _Calyx_ 5-phyllus: foliolis duobus minoribus. _Capsula_.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
CISTUS _ladaniferus_ arborescens ex stipulatus, foliis lanceolatis supra lævibus, petiolis basi coalitis vaginantibus. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 497._
CISTUS ladanifera Hispanica incana. _Bauh. Pin. 467._
CISTUS Ledon. The Gum Cistus or Sweete Holly Rose. _Park. Parad. p. 422._
One of the most ornamental hardy shrubs we possess; at once pleasing to the eye, and grateful to the smell; for, as MILLER observes, the whole plant in warm weather exudes a sweet glutinous substance, which has a very strong balsamic scent, so as to perfume the circumambient air to a great distance.
Its blossoms, which appear in June and July in great profusion, exhibit a remarkable instance of quickly-fading beauty, opening and expanding to the morning sun, and before night strewing the ground with their elegant remains: as each succeeding day produces new blossoms, this deciduous disposition of the petals, common to the genus, is the less to be regretted.
Is a native of Spain and Portugal, prefers a dry soil and warm sheltered situation, and in very severe seasons requires some kind of covering.
Cultivated 1656, by Mr. JOHN TRADESCANT, jun. _Ait. Hort. Kew._
Is readily increased from cuttings; but MILLER remarks, that the best plants are raised from seeds.
Varies with waved leaves, and in having petals without a spot at the base.
Is not the plant from whence the Ladanum of the shops is produced, though affording in warmer countries than ours a similar gum, hence its name of _ladanifera_ is not strictly proper.
[113]
CONVOLVULUS PURPUREUS. PURPLE BINDWEED, or CONVOLVULUS MAJOR.
_Class and Order._
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
_Corolla_ campanulata, plicata. _Stigmata_ 2. _Capsula_ 2-locularis; loculis dispermis.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
CONVOLVULUS _purpureus_ foliis cordatis indivisis, fructibus cernuis, pedicellis incrassatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 200._
CONVOLVULUS purpureus folio subrotundo. _Bauh. Pin. 295._
CONVOLVULUS cæruleus major rotundifolius. The greater blew Bindweede or Bell-flower with round leaves. _Park. Parad. p. 358._
"Is an annual plant which grows naturally in Asia and America, but has been long cultivated for ornament in the English gardens, and is generally known by the title of Convolvulus major. Of this there are three or four lasting varieties; the most common hath a purple flower, but there is one with a white, another with a red, and one with a whitish-blue flower, which hath white seeds. All these varieties I have cultivated many years, without observing them to change. If the seeds of these sorts are sown in the spring, upon a warm border where the plants are designed to remain, they will require no other culture but to keep them clear from weeds, and place some tall stakes down by them, for their stalks to twine about, otherwise they will spread on the ground and make a bad appearance. These plants, if they are properly supported, will rise ten or twelve feet high in warm Summers: they flower in June, July, and August, and will continue till the frost kills them. Their seeds ripen in Autumn." _Miller's Gard. Dict. ed. 4to. 1771._
[114]
SILENE PENDULA. PENDULOUS CATCHFLY.
_Class and Order._
DECANDRIA TRIGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
Calyx ventricosus. Petala 5, unguiculata coronata ad faucem, Capsula 3-locularis.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
SILENE _pendula_ calycibus fructiferis pendulis inflatis: angulis decem scabris. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 421._
VISCAGO hirsuta sicula, lychnidis aquaticæ facie, supina. _Dill. Hort. Elth. 421. t. 312. f. 404._
Grows spontaneously in Sicily and Crete; is an annual of humble growth, and hence a suitable plant for the borders of the flower garden, or the decoration of Rock-work, as its blossoms are shewy, and not of very short duration.
It flowers in June and July, and if once permitted to scatter its seeds, will come up yearly without any trouble.
[115]
LATHYRUS SATIVUS. BLUE-FLOWER'D LATHYRUS, or CHICHLING-VETCH.
_Class and Order._
DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.
_Generic Character._
_Stylus_ planus, supra villosus, superne latior. _Calycis_ laciniæ superiores 2 breviores.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
LATHYRUS _sativus_ pedunculis unifloris, cirrhis diphyllis tetraphyllisque, leguminibus ovatis compressis dorso bimarginatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 662._
LATHYRUS sativus, flore fructusque albo. _Bauh. Pin. 343._
A native of France, Spain, and Italy, and distinguishable when in flower by the blue colour of its blossoms, which are sometimes, however, milk-white; but its seed-pods afford a more certain mark of distinction, being unusually short, broad, and winged on the back.
This species grows to the height of about two feet, and is usually sown in the spring with other annuals; though not so beautiful, it forms a contrast to the sweet and Tangier Pea, and may be introduced where there is plenty of room, or a desire of possessing and knowing most of the plants of a genus.
It flowers in June and July.
Cultivated 1739, by Mr. PHILIP MILLER. _Ait. Hort. Kew._
[116]
LIMODORUM TUBEROSUM. TUBEROUS-ROOTED LIMODORUM.
_Class and Order._
GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA.
_Generic Character._
Nectarium monophyllum, concavum, pedicellatum, intra petalum infimum.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
LIMODORUM _tuberosum_ floribus subspicatis barbatis. _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 301._
For this rare plant I am indebted to the very laudable exertions of a late Gardener of mine, JAMES SMITH, who, in the spring of the year 1788, examining attentively the bog earth which had been brought over with some plants of the _Dionæa Muscipula_, found several small tooth-like knobby roots, which being placed in pots of the same earth, and plunged into a tan-pit having a gentle heat, produced plants the ensuing summer, two of which flowered, and from the strongest of those our figure was taken.
From this circumstance we learn, that this species is a native of South Carolina, and properly a bog plant, growing spontaneously with the _Dionæa Muscipula_.
Both Mr. DRYANDER and Dr. J. E. SMITH assure me, that it is the true _Limodorum tuberosum_ of LINNÆUS; the one usually called by that name is a native of the West-Indies, and treated as a stove plant.
From the little experience we have had of the management of this species, it appears to us to be scarcely hardy enough for the open border, yet not tender enough to require a stove. We have succeeded best by treating it in the manner above mentioned; we may observe, that the tan-pit spoken of was built in the open garden, not in a stove, and was for the purpose of raising plants or seeds by a gentle heat, as well as for striking cuttings and securing plants from cold in the winter.
Our figure will make a description of the plant unnecessary, its flowering stem with us has arisen to the height of a foot and a half, the number of flowers has not exceeded five. In its most luxuriant state it will probably be found much larger, and to produce more flowers.
[117]
CAMPANULA CARPATICA. CARPATIAN BELL-FLOWER.
_Class and Order._
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
_Corolla_ campanulata fundo clauso valvis staminiferis. _Stigma_ trifidum. _Capsula_ infera poris lateralibus dehiscens.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
CAMPANULA _carpatica_ foliis glabris cordatis serratis petiolatis, pedunculis elongatis, calyce reflexo glutinoso. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 207. Suppl. p. 140._ _Jacq. Hort. v. i. t. 57._
This species of Bell-flower, which takes its name from its place of growth, is a native of the Carpatian Alps, and was introduced into the Royal Garden at Kew, by _Professor_ JACQUIN, of _Vienna_, in the year 1774.
It flowers in June and July.
As yet it is scarce in our gardens, but deserves to be more generally known and cultivated; its flowers, in proportion to the plant, are large and shewy: like many other Alpine plants, it is well suited to decorate certain parts of rock-work, or such borders of the flower garden, as are not adapted for large plants.
It is a hardy perennial, and propagated by parting its roots in autumn.
Our figure, from a deficiency in the colouring art, gives a very inadequate idea of its beauty.
[118]
SEDUM ANACAMPSEROS. EVERGREEN ORPINE.
_Class and Order._
DECANDRIA PENTAGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ 5-fidus. _Cor._ 5-petala. _Squamæ_ nectariferæ 5, ad basin germinis. _Caps._ 5.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
SEDUM _Anacampseros_ foliis cuneiformibus basi attenuatis subsessilibus, caulibus decumbentibus, floribus corymbosis. _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 108._
SEDUM _Anacampseros_ foliis cuneiformibus integerrimis caulibus decumbemtibus, floribus corymbosis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. Murr. p. 430._
TELEPHIUM repens folio deciduo. _Bauh. Pin. 287._
TELEPHIUM tertium. _Dodon. Pempt. p. 130._
Grows spontaneously out of the crevices of the rocks in the South of France; flowers in our gardens in July and August; is a very hardy perennial, and in sheltered situations retains its leaves all the year.
The singular manner in which the leaves are attached to the flowering stem, deserves to be noticed.
As many of the succulent plants are tender, and require a Green-house in the winter, cultivators of plants are apt indiscriminately to extend the same kind of care to the whole tribe, hence it is not uncommon to find this and many other similar hardy plants, nursed up in the Green-house or stove, when they would thrive much better on a wall or piece of rock-work, for the decoration of which this plant in particular is admirably adapted.
Like most of the Sedum tribe it may readily be propagated by cuttings, or parting its roots in autumn.
DODONÆUS' figure admirably represents its habit.
According to the _Hort. Kew._ it was cultivated in this country by GERARD, in 1596.
+------------------------------------------------------+ |Transcriber's Note: | |There is a departure from the usual format here with | |STRELITZIA REGINÆ having two illustrations, No 119 and| |No 120, thus creating a gap in the sequence. | +------------------------------------------------------+
[119]
STRELITZIA REGINÆ. CANNA-LEAVED STRELITZIA.
_Class and Order._
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
_Spathæ. Cal._ 0. _Cor._ 3-petala. _Nectarium_ triphyllum, genitalia involvens. _Peric._ 3-loculare, polyspermum.
STRELITZIA _Reginæ Ait. Hort. Kew. v. i. p. 285. Tab. 2._
HELICONIA _Bibai J. Mill. ic. tab. 5, 6._
In order that we may give our readers an opportunity of seeing a coloured representation of one of the most scarce and magnificent plants introduced into this country, we have this number deviated from our usual plan, with respect to the plates, and though in so doing we shall have the pleasure of gratifying the warm wishes of many of our readers, we are not without our apprehensions least others may not feel perfectly well satisfied; should it prove so, we wish such to rest assured that this is a deviation in which we shall very rarely indulge and never but when something uncommonly beautiful or interesting presents itself: to avoid the imputation of interested motives, we wish our readers to be apprized that the expences attendant on the present number, in consequence of such deviation, have been considerably _augmented_, not lowered.
It is well known to many Botanists, and others, who have experienced Sir JOSEPH BANKS's well known liberality, that previous to the publication of the _Hortus Kewensis_ he made a new genus of this plant, which had before been considered as a species of _Heliconia_, and named it _Strelitzia_ in honour of our most gracious Queen CHARLOTTE; coloured engravings of which, executed under his direction, he presented to his particular friends; impressions of the same plate have been given in the aforesaid work, in which we are informed that this plant was introduced to the royal garden at Kew, by Sir JOSEPH BANKS, Bart. in the year 1773, where it lately flowered--of some other plants introduced after that period from the Cape, of which it is a native, one flowered in the Pine stove of BAMBER GASCOYNE, Esq. several years ago, from whence Mr. MILLAR drew his figure, and the plant from which our drawing was made flowered this spring, in the bark stove of the garden belonging to the Apothecaries Company, at Chelsea, where it will also soon flower again.
This plant has usually been confined to the stove, where it has been placed in a pot, and plunged into the tan, as the plants in such situations usually are; it has been found that when the roots have been confined to the narrow limits of a pot, the plant has rarely or never flowered, but that when the roots have by accident extended into the rotten tan, it has readily thrown up flowering stems, the best practice therefore, not only with this, but many other plants, is to let the roots have plenty of earth to strike into. As it is a Cape plant it may perhaps be found to succeed best in the conservatory.
It has not, that we know of, as yet ripened its seeds in this country; till it does, or good seeds of it shall be imported, it must remain a very scarce and dear plant, as it is found to increase very slowly by its roots: plants are said to be sold at the Cape for Three Guineas each.
_General Description of the STRELITZIA REGINÆ._
From a perennial stringy root shoot forth a considerable number of leaves, standing upright on long footstalks, front a sheath of some one of which, near its base, springs the flowering stem, arising somewhat higher than the leaves, and terminating in an almost horizontal long-pointed spatha, containing about six or eight flowers, which becoming vertical as they spring forth, form a kind of crest, which the glowing orange of the Corolla, and fine azure of the Nectary, renders truly superb. The outline in the third plate of this number, is intended to give our readers an idea of its general habit and mode of growth.
_Particular Description of the same._
ROOT perennial, stringy, somewhat like that of the tawny Day-lily (Hemerocallis fulva); strings the thickness of the little finger, blunt at the extremity, extending horizontally, if not confined, to the distance of many feet.
LEAVES numerous, standing upright on their footstalks, about a foot in length, and four inches in breadth, ovato-oblong, coriaceous, somewhat fleshy, rigid, smooth, concave, entire on the edges, except on one side towards the base, where they are more or less curled, on the upper side of a deep green colour, on the under side covered with a fine glaucous meal, midrib hollow above and yellowish, veins unbranched, prominent on the inside, and impressed on the outside of the leaf, young leaves rolled up.
LEAF-STALKS about thrice the length of the leaves, upright, somewhat flattened, at bottom furnished with a sheath, and received into each other, all radical.
SCAPUS or flowering stem unbranched, somewhat taller than the leaves, proceeding from the sheath of one of them, upright, round, not perfectly straight, nearly of an equal thickness throughout, of a glaucous hue, covered with four or five sheaths which closely embrace it. Two or more flowering stems spring from the same root, according to the age of the plant.
SPATHA terminal, about six inches in length, of a glaucous hue, with a fine bright purple at its base, running out to a long point, opening above from the base to within about an inch of the apex, where the edges roll over to one side, forming an angle of about forty-five degrees, and containing about six flowers.
FLOWERS of a bright orange colour, becoming upright, when perfectly detached from the spatha, which each flower is a considerable time in accomplishing. In the plant at Chelsea, the two back petals, or, more properly segments of the first flower, sprang forth with the nectary, and while the former became immediately vertical, the latter formed nearly the same angle as the spatha; four days afterwards the remaining segment of the first flower, with the two segments and nectary of the second came forth, and in the same manner at similar intervals all the flowers, which were six in number, continued to make their appearance.
COROLLA deeply divided into three segments, which are ovato-lanceolate, slightly keeled, and somewhat concave, at the base white, fleshy, and covered with a glutinous substance flowing in great quantities from the nectary.