Chapter 2

We have not figured the present species of Cypripedium so much on account of its beauty as of its rarity, for it is far less handsome than any of the other species that we are acquainted with.

It is a native of different parts of North-America, and flowers with us in May.

There is little difficulty in distinguishing it from the other foreign species, it has rarely more than two radical leaves, a very short flowering stem compared with the others, a large nectary in proportion to its size, which in the specimens we have seen has been divided on its upper part, through its whole length, so as in fact to destroy in a great degree that shoe or slipper-like form, from which this genus has taken its name.

Like the rest of the family, it requires a little extraordinary care in its culture; its roots should be placed in a pot filled with loam and bog-earth, or rotten leaves, well mixed, and plunged in a north border, where in severe seasons it will be proper to shelter it; if the whole border be formed of the same soil or compost the pot will be less necessary.

Our drawing was made from a plant growing with Messrs. GRIMWOOD and Co. Kensington.

[193]

NARCISSUS ANGUSTIFOLIUS. NARROW-LEAVED NARCISSUS.

_Class and Order._

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Petala_ 6 æqualia. _Nectario_ infundibuliformi, 1-phyllo. _Stamina_ intra nectarium.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

NARCISSUS _poeticus_ spatha uniflora, nectario rotato brevissimo scarioso crenulato. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 317._ _Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 414._

NARCISSUS uniflorus, foliis ensiformibus, scypho brevissimo. _Hall. Hist. n. 1250._

NARCISSUS albus circulo purpureo. _Bauh. Pin. p. 48._ _Magnol. Bot. Monsp. p. 181._

NARCISSUS poeticus medio purpureus. _Lob._

NARCISSUS medio purpureus. _Dod. Pempt. p. 223. f. 1._

NARCISSUS medio purpureus præcox. Timely purple ringed Daffodil. _Ger. Herb. p. 108. f. 2._ also _præcocior, fig. 3._ and _præcocissimus, fig. 4._

NARCISSUS medio purpureus præcox. The early purple ringed Daffodil. _Park. Parad. p. 76. t. 75. f. 3._

NARCISSUS latifol. classis altera, lin. 7. alterum vero, &c. _Clus. Hist. Pl. rar. lib. 2. p. 156._

Under the name of _poeticus_ three different species of Narcissus appearing perfectly distinct (though similar in many respects) and regarded as such by the old Botanists, have been confounded by the moderns, viz.

Narcissus albus circulo purpureo, v et vi } Narcissus albus magno odoro flore circulo pallido,} C. Bauh. Narcissus pallidus circulo luteo }

Narcissus medio purpureus præcox, } Narcissus medio purpureus serotinus,} Park Parad. Narcissus medio luteus vulgaris, }

The first of these, the one here figured is evidently the _poeticus_ of _Linnæus_, judging by the authors to whom he refers in the third edition of his _Spec. Pl._ which are indeed few in number, and confined chiefly to _Bauh. Pin._ _Dodonæus_; of the second, and third, he takes no notice.

The two former ones of these have the greatest affinity, inasmuch as they both produce for the most part only one flower, of a white colour, having a very short nectary, edged with orange; to both of these LINNÆUS'S specific description is equally applicable, as well as the trivial name of _poeticus_, given them indiscriminately by several of the old Botanists, some regarding the first, some the second as the plant mentioned by THEOCRITUS[2], VIRGIL[3], and OVID[4]; unfortunately both of them are found to grow in the same meadows, and have the same obvious appearances, it is therefore utterly impossible to say which of the two was the Narcissus of the poets; if we have the greatest difficulty in ascertaining what the plants were of the _Botanists_ of those times, how are we to discover what the _Poets_ meant, who with very few exceptions have been unpardonably inattentive to the appearances of nature. Since then the term _poeticus_ is equally suitable to both, and as there cannot be two with the same name, we have thought it best to get rid of it altogether, and substitute others which tend in a certain degree to discriminate the several species, denominating the

1st. _angustifolius._ 2d. _majalis._ 3d. _biflorus._

The _angustifolius_ here figured is a native of the South of Europe, and said by MAGNOL and CLUSIUS to grow spontaneously in the meadows about Narbonne and Montpelier.

It flowers in our gardens early in April, about a month before the _biflorus_, and full six weeks sooner than the _majalis_, increases readily by offsets, and succeeds best in a soil that is moderately moist. In what respects it differs from the two others, will be mentioned when they come to be figured.

[Footnote 2:

Florida sed postquam venêre in prata puellæ, His illa, hæc aliis se floribus oblectabant; Narcisso illa quidem bene olente, atq; illa Hyacintho.]

[Footnote 3:

Pro molli Viola, pro purpureo Narcisso, Carduus et spinis surgit Paliurus acutis.]

[Footnote 4:

Nusquam corpus erat, croceum pro corpore florem Inveniunt, foliis medium cingentibus albis.]

[194]

FRITILLARIA IMPERIALIS. CROWN IMPERIAL.

_Class and Order._

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 6-petala, campanulata, supra ungues cavitate nectarifera. _Stam._ longitudine corollæ.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

FRITILLARIA _imperialis_ racemo comoso inferne nudo, foliis integerrimis. _Linn, Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 324._ _Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 432._

LILIUM sive Corona Imperialis. _Bauh. Pin. p. 79._

TUSAI sive Lilium Persicum. _Clust. Hist. 1. p. 127._

CORONA IMPERIALIS. The Crowne Imperiall. _Park. Par. p. 27. tab. 29. f. 1._

The Crown Imperial, a native of the East, most probably of Persia, was introduced according to DODONÆUS, into the gardens of the emperor and some of the nobility at Vienna in 1576; it appears to have been cultivated here as early as 1596: both GERARD and PARKINSON describe it minutely, the latter on account of its "stately beautifulness, gives it the first place in his garden of delight."

It flowers usually in the beginning of April; the whole plant sends forth a strong unpleasant smell, compared by most writers to that of a fox, perceptible when you approach it; to this effluvia PARKINSON endeavours to reconcile us by saying that it is not unwholesome; it is so disagreeable however, that few choose to have many of these plants, or those in the most frequented parts of their gardens, yet it ought not to be proscribed, for independent of its beauty, there is much in it to admire, and especially its singular Nectaria, which in the form of a white glandular excavation decorate the base of each petal; in these usually stands a drop of clear nectareous juice; the peduncle or flower-stalk which bends downwards when the plant is in flower, becomes upright as the seed ripens.

Of this plant, as of all others which have long been objects of culture, there are many varieties; those most generally cultivated in our gardens are the common orange-flowered single and double, yellow single and double, gold-striped leaved, and silver-striped leaved; the Dutch in their catalogues enumerate thirteen varieties.

Luxuriant plants will sometimes produce a second and even a third whorl or crown of flowers, and the flat-stalked ones which are monsters, have been known to produce seventy-two blossoms, but none of these are found to be constant.

The Crown Imperial, though a native of a much warmer climate than ours, is a hardy bulb, and not very nice in regard to soil, succeeds best in such as is stiffish, enriched with manure, and placed in a sheltered situation.

Is propagated by offsets, which are produced in tolerable abundance.

[195]

CHEIRANTHUS MUTABILIS. CHANGEABLE WALL-FLOWER.

_Class and Order._

TETRADYNAMIA SILIQUOSA.

_Generic Character._

_Germen_ utrinque denticulo glandulato. _Cal._ clausus foliolis duobus basi gibbis. _Sem._ plana.

_Specific Character._

CHEIRANTHUS _mutabilis_ foliis lanceolatis acuminatis argute serratis, caule frutescente, siliquis pedunculatis. _Ait. Hort. Kew. v. 2. p. 395._

The present species of _Cheiranthus_, unknown both to MILLER and LINNÆUS, was first described in the _Hortus Kewensis_ of Mr. AITON, who informs us that it was introduced to the Royal Garden in 1777, and found wild in the Island of Madeira by Mr. MASSON.

Its chief merit as an ornamental plant consists in its early flowering; its blossoms which are shewy contribute to enliven the green-house in March and April; on their first expanding, they are white, in some plants (for they are subject to great variation) inclined to yellow, in a few days they become purple; to this change of colour observable also in the _Cheiranthus maritimus_ already figured, it owes its name of _mutabilis_.

In sheltered gardens at the foot of a wall, we have known this species survive a mild winter; it seems indeed to be almost as hardy as the common stock; it is most commonly however kept in the green-house.

The usual way of propagating this species, which is of ready and quick growth, is by cuttings, which should be put into the ground as soon as the plant has done flowering; these if properly treated will become handsome plants to place in the green-house at the approach of Winter, and to decorate it the ensuing Spring; in like manner may the green-house be annually recruited with many similar plants to great advantage.

[196]

SAXIFRAGA CRASSIFOLIA. OVAL-LEAVED SAXIFRAGE.

_Class and Order._

DECANDRIA DIGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-partitus. _Cor._ 5-petala. _Caps._ 2-rostris, 1-locularis, polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

SAXIFRAGA _crassifolia_, foliis ovalibus retusis obsolete serratis petiolatis, caule nudo, panicula conglomerata. _Linn. Sp. Pl ed. 3. p. 573._ _Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 412._

SAXIFRAGA foliis ovalibus crenulatis, caulibus nudis. _Gmel. Sib. 4. p. 166. t. 66._

The term _grandifolia_ would have been more applicable to this species of Saxifrage than _crassifolia_, for it is not so much distinguished for the thickness as the largeness of its leaves; these are almost equal in size to those of our broad-leaved Dock, red on the under and of a fine shining green on their upper surface; they may be ranked indeed among the more handsome kinds of foliage; the flowering stems, according to the richness and moisture of the soil in which they are planted, rise from one to two or even three feet high; at top supporting a large bunch of purple pendulous flowers, which blossom in April and May, and, if the season prove favourable, make a fine appearance. Should cold winds prevail at the time of their flowering, which they are very apt to do, the plants should be covered with a hand-glass; or, if in a pot, it may be removed into the green-house, which they will not disgrace.

Is found spontaneously on the Alps of Siberia, and, according to Mr. AITON, was introduced in 1765 by Dr. SOLANDER. No plant is more readily increased by parting its roots, which may be done either in spring or autumn.

There is another Saxifrage in our gardens exceedingly like this in appearance, but differing, in producing larger bunches of flowers, and in having larger, rounder, and more heart-shaped leaves; Mr. AITON regards this as a variety of the _crassifolia_, we are inclined to consider it as a species under the name of _cordifolia_. The parts of fructification in the _crassifolia_ are apt to be preternaturally increased.

[197]

NARCISSUS BIFLORUS. TWO-FLOWER'D NARCISSUS.

NARCISSUS _biflorus_ spatha biflor, nectario brevissimo scarioso.

NARCISSUS pallidus circulo luteo. _Bauh. Pin. p. 50._

NARCISSUS medio luteus. _Dod. Pempt. p. 223. f. 2._

NARCISSUS medio luteus. Primrose Peerles, or the common white Daffodil. _Ger. Herb. p. 110. f. 6._

NARCISSUS medio luteus vulgaris. The common white Daffodill, called _Primrose Peerlesse_. _Park. Par. P. 74. t. 75. f. 1._

NARCISSUS latifol classis altera, lin. 1. Nascuntur, &c. ad intellexisse. _Clus. Hist. Pl. rar. lib. 2. p. 156._

Both GERARD and PARKINSON describe and figure this plant, informing us that it was very common in the gardens in their time; the former indeed mentions it as growing wild in fields and sides of woods in the West of England; the latter says he could never hear of its natural place of growth. CLUSIUS reports that he had been credibly informed of its growing wild in England; it probably may, but of this it remains for us to be more clearly ascertained; it undoubtedly is the plant mentioned by RAY in his Synopsis.

As it grows readily, increases in a greater degree than most others and is both ornamental and odoriferous, it is no wonder that we meet with it in almost every garden, and that in abundance, flowering towards the end of April, about three weeks later than the angustifolia. It usually produces two flowers, hence we have called it biflorus; it frequently occurs with one, more rarely with three, in a high state of culture it probably may be found with more; when it has only one flower it may easily be mistaken for the _majalis_, but may be thus distinguished from it; its petals are of a more yellow hue, the nectary is wholly yellow, wanting the orange rim, it flowers at least three weeks earlier; but the character, which by observation we have found most to be depended on, exists in the flowering stem, the top of which in the biflorus, very soon after it emerges from the ground, bends down and becomes elbowed, as our figure represents; in the _majalis_, it continues upright till within a short time of the flowers expanding.

[198]

INDIGOFERA CANDICANS. WHITE-LEAVED INDIGO.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ patens. _Cor._ carina utrinque calcari subulato patulo. _Legumen_ lineare.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

INDIGOFERA _candicans_ foliis ternatis lanceolato-linearibus subtus sericeis, spicis pedunculatis paucifloris, leguminibus cylindraceis rectis. _Ait. Hort. Kew. V. 3, p. 67._

Of the genus _Indigofera_, twenty-three species are enumerated in Prof. MURRAY'S edition of the _Syst. Vegetab._ of LINNÆUS; ten in the _Hortus Kewensis_ of Mr. AITON; in which last work only, the present plant, distinguished by the whiteness of its stalks and of the underside of its leaves, is described, and in which we are informed, that it is a native of the Cape, from whence it was introduced by Mr. MASSON in 1774.

Its principal period of flowering is from about the beginning of May to the middle of June, at which time it is highly ornamental in the green-house: strong healthy plants produce from five to eight blossoms in a spike: on a plant growing with Mr. COLVILL, Nurseryman, King's-Road, Chelsea, we once counted nine: a few of these usually produce seed-vessels containing perfect seeds, by which the plant is mostly propagated; it may also be raised by cuttings, but not very readily.

[199]

ASTER ALPINUS. ALPINE ASTER.

_Class and Order._

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA.

_Generic Character._

_Recept._ nudum. _Pappus_ simplex. _Cor._ radii plures 10. _Cal._ imbricati squamæ inferiores patulæ.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ASTER _alpinus_ foliis subspathulatis hirtis integerrimis, caulibus simplicibus unifloris. _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 198._

ASTER _alpinus_ foliis spatulatis hirtis: radicalibus obtusis, caule simplicissimo unifloro. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p. 761._ _Jacq. Fl. Austr. V. 1. t. 88._

ASTER montanus cæruleus, magno flore, foliis oblongis. _Bauh. Pin. p. 267._

CLUSIUS and JACQUIN, by both of whom this species of Aster is figured and described, inform us, that it grows spontaneously on the Austrian Alps: of the many hardy herbaceous species cultivated in our garden, this is by far the most humble in is growth; in its wild state acquiring the height of about four inches, and when cultivated, rarely exceeding eight or nine: its blossoms for its size are large and shewy, making their appearance much earlier than any of the others, viz. about the end of May and beginning of June, and continuing in blossom three weeks or a month.

It is readily propagated by parting its roots in the autumn, may be kept in pots, or planted in the open border, prefers a moist stiffish soil; if carefully watered in dry weather, will grow among rock-work, for which, from its size, it is well adapted.

[200]

ANTIRRHINUM SPARTEUM. BRANCHING TOAD-FLAX.

_Class and Order._

DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Cor._ basis deorsum prominens nectarifera. _Caps._ 2-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ANTIRRHINUM _sparteum_ foliis subulatis canaliculatis carnosis: inferioribus ternis, caule paniculato corollisque glaberrimis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 555._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. 2. p. 333._

The drawing here exhibited gives but a faint idea of the elegant and lively appearance which this plant assumes when it grows in a tuft, and a number of its branches are in blossom at the same time.

It is a hardy annual, of small stature, a native of Spain, and flowers during most of the summer.

Was introduced into this country, according to Mr. AITON, in 1772, by Mons. RICHARD, and deserves to be much more generally cultivated.

Some regard it as a biennial, but as seeds of it sown in the spring flower the ensuing summer, and as the plant dies when it has ripened its seeds, there appears more propriety in considering it as an annual.

It is to be sown in the same manner as other hardy annuals; will flower earlier if the seeds have been raised in autumn.

The upper part of the stalk, as well as the leaves of the calyx, are beset with viscous hairs, in which respect it does not perfectly accord with LINNÆUS's description. _Vid. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 854._

[201]

PELARGONIUM BICOLOR. TWO-COLOURED CRANE'S-BILL.

_Class and Order._

MONADELPHIA HEPTANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-partitus: lacinia suprema desinente in tubulum capillarem, nectariferum, secus pedunculum decurrentem. _Cor._ 5-petala, irregularis. _Filam._ 10, inæqualia: quorum 3 (raro 5) castrata. _Fructus_ 5-coccus, rostratus: _rostra_ spiralia, introrsum barbata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

PELARGONIUM _bicolor_ umbellis multifloris, foliis ternatifidis lobatis dentatis undulatis villosis. _L'Herit. n. 64._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. v. 2. p. 425._

GERANIUM bicolor. _Jacq. Hort. 3. p. 23. t. 39._ _Cavan. diss. 4. p. 248. t. 111. f. 1._

In every numerous tribe of plants, many of the species approach so near to each other, that there is much difficulty in distinguishing them; this objection cannot be urged against the present plant, which obviously differs from all the others of the same genus in the particular shape of its leaves and the colour of its blossoms, the latter are usually of a rich and very dark purple edged with white, from whence we apprehend it takes its name of _bicolor_; the colours however are scarcely distinct enough to justify such a name.

Mr. AITON informs us in his _Hort. Kew._ that this very ornamental species was introduced in the year 1778, by JOHN, the late Earl of BUTE, but of what country it is a native, does not appear to be ascertained.

Our drawing was made from a plant in the collection of Messrs. GRIMWOOD and Co. Kensington, with whom it flowers from June to August.

It is not disposed to ripen its seeds, nor is it very readily increased by cuttings.

[202]

LUPINUS PERENNIS. PERENNIAL LUPINE.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 2-labiatus. _Antheræ_ 5, oblongæ 5, subrotundæ. _Legumen_ coriaceum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

LUPINUS _perennis_ calycibus alternis inappendiculatis: labio superiore emarginato; inferiore integro. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 655._ _Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 28._

LUPINUS calycibus alternis, radice perenni repente. _Fl. Virg. 172._

LUPINUS cæruleus minor perennis virginianus repens. _Moris. hist. 2. p. 87. s. 2. t. 7. f. 6._

LUPINUS floribus cæruleis inodoris, in spicas longas digestis, radice reptatrice. _Clayt. n. 779._

Every species of Lupine described in the _Species Plantarum_ of LINNÆUS, and in the _Hortus Kewensis_ of Mr. AITON, except the one here figured, are annuals; till another perennial one therefore shall be discovered, the term _perennis_ will be strictly applicable to the present plant.

Its root is not only of the kind just mentioned, but creeping also; Mr. _Miller_ informs us, that he traced some of them belonging to plants of a year old, to the depth of three feet, they also spread out far and wide; hence the roots even of young plants are with difficulty taken up entire, and as they do not succeed well by transplanting, if the root be cut or broken, our excellent author prefers raising this elegant plant from seed, which, though not very plentifully produced, ripen in July and August; care must be taken to gather them as soon as ripe.

It is a native of Virginia, and appears to have been cultivated in the Botanic Garden at Oxford, as long since as 1658.

Flowers from May to July.

Is a hardy perennial, succeeding best in a dry situation, with a loam moderately stiff.

[203]

GERANIUM ANGULATUM. ANGULAR-STALKED CRANE'S-BILL.

_Class and Order._

MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Cor._ 5-petala, regularis. _Nect._ glandulæ 5, melliferæ, basi longiorum filamentorum adnatæ. _Fructus_ 5-coccus, rostratus: _rostra_ simplicia, nuda, (nec spiralia nec barbata).

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

GERANIUM _angulatum_ foliis radicalibus subpartitis incisis hirsutis, caule erecto subangulato, petalis venosis.

Having cultivated the Geranium here figured for a series of years, we are perfectly satisfied of its being a species altogether distinct from any of the hardy and more ornamental plants of that genus usually cultivated in our gardens.

It is obviously distinguished by two characters, the angular appearance of its stalk (whence our name of _angulatum_) and its flesh-coloured blossoms, marked with veins of a deeper red.

In size it stands between _pratense_ and _aconitifolium_, in its blossoms it has some affinity to _striatum_ and _lancastriense_, but veins are not so strongly marked as in the former, and it differs from the latter in having an upright stalk.

It usually flowers in May, and frequently again in autumn; is a hardy perennial, and easily increased either by seeds or parting its roots.

Of what country it is a native, or when it was first introduced, we have yet to learn; we first observed it in a nursery near town, where it is regarded as a very different species.

[204]

RANUNCULUS ACONITIFOLIUS. MOUNTAIN CROWFOOT, or FAIR MAIDS OF FRANCE.

_Class and Order._

POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ 5-intra ungues poro mellifero. _Sem._ nuda.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

RANUNCULUS _aconitifolius_ foliis omnibus quinatis lanceolatis inciso-serratis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 516._ _Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 267._

RANUNCULUS folio aconiti, flore albo multiplici. _Bauh. Pin. 179._

RANUNCULUS montanus albus flore pleno. The double white mountain Crowfoot. _Park. Parad. p. 219. f. 9._

Double white Bachelors Buttons. _Ger. Herb. p. 812. f. 1._

This is one of those plants which derives its beauty from the multiplication of its petals; in its single state no one would think it deserving of culture as an ornamental plant: when double, few plants come in for a greater share of admiration.