Chapter 2

This species, as we learn from the _Hortus Kewensis_, is a native of the Cape, and was introduced by Mr. MASSON in the year 1787.

Its usual time of flowering is July and August; in this point it is inferior to the _Pelargonium tricolor_, which blossoms through the spring as well as summer months.

It produces seeds but sparingly; cuttings of the plant are struck with less difficulty than those of the _Pelargonium_ above mentioned, the same treatment is applicable to both plants, they must be regarded as green-house plants of the more tender kind, which are liable to be destroyed in the winter season by a moist cold atmosphere.

[262]

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM AUREUM. GOLDEN FIG-MARIGOLD.

_Class and Order._

ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-fidus. _Petala_ numerosa linearia. _Caps._ carnosa infera polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM _aureum_ foliis cylindrico-triquetris punctatis distinctis, pistillis atro purpurascentibus. _Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10. p. 1060._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 190._

This Mesembryanthemum is one of the taller and more upright species, as well as the earliest in point of flowering, producing its blossoms from February to May; these are large and of a bright orange hue, the pistilla in the centre are purple, and serve at once to distinguish and embellish them.

It was first described in the _10th ed._ of _Linn. Syst. Nat._ and afterwards inserted in the _Hort. Kew._ of Mr. AITON, who informs us that it is a native of the Cape, and was cultivated by Mr. MILLER, in the year 1750. Prof. MURRAY omits it in his _12th ed._ of the _Syst. Vegetab._ of LINNÆUS, as does Prof. GMELIN in the last edition of _Linn. Syst. Nat._

The facility with which this tribe in general is increased by cuttings is well known; this is raised as readily as the others.

[263]

GLYCINE BIMACULATA. PURPLE GLYCINE.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 2-labiatus. _Corollæ_ carina apice vexillum reflectens.

_Specific Character._

GLYCINE _bimaculata_ caule volubili lævi, foliis simplicibus cordato-oblongis, racemis multifloris.

Of the many plants which within these few years have been raised from Botany-Bay seeds, this is one of the first which flowered in this country, and one of the most ornamental; to the greenhouse it is indeed an invaluable acquisition: we regret that the size of our paper and the imperfection of the colouring art, will not admit of our giving a representation of it more adequate to its beauty.

It rises up with a twining shrubby stalk to the height of six, eight, or more feet; these multiplying greatly by age, become loaded with a profusion of purple flowers, growing in racemi, the richness of which is enlivened by the appearance of two green spots at the base of the vexillum; for the most part the blossoms go off with us without producing any seed-vessels; in some instances, however, perfect seeds have been produced, and we have seen a plant in bloom raised from such in the charming retreat of JOHN ORD, Esq. Walham-Green.

A great excellence of this plant is the duration of its flowering period, it begins to put forth its blossoms in February, and continues to do so during most of the summer.

In the Nurseries about town, it is known by the name of _Glycine virens_, a name given the plant originally by Dr. SOLANDER; the latter of these terms we have taken the liberty of changing to _bimaculata_, as being more expressive of an obvious character in the flower: we might, perhaps, been justified in altering the genus, as its characters do not appear to be peculiarly expressive of a Glycine, nor indeed of any other genus in this numerous natural order.

It is raised readily from seeds.

We think it highly probable, that in warm sheltered situations, this climber might grow in the open ground; to such as have it in abundance, we recommend them to make the experiment.

[264]

CISTUS FORMOSUS. BEAUTIFUL CISTUS.

_Class and Order._

POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 5-petala. _Cal._ 5-phyllus, foliolis duobus minoribus. _Capsula._

Mr. LEE, Nurseryman of Hammersmith, informs me, that in the year 1780, he raised the Cistus here figured from seeds, the produce of Portugal, and as its flowers were uncommonly beautiful, he was induced to name it _formosus_.

It approaches so near to the _Cistus halimifolius_ in point of habit, in the form and colour of its leaves and flowers, that we are inclined rather to regard it as a variety of that plant, than as a distinct species; at the same time it must be allowed to be a very striking variety, the flowers being at least thrice as large as those of the _halimifolius_ usually are, and the whole plant more hairy: as an ornamental shrub, it is highly deserving a place in all curious collections.

It will grow very well in the open border in warm sheltered situations, it may be kept also in a pot, by which means it may more readily be sheltered during the winter, either in the greenhouse or under a frame.

It flowers early in May, and may be increased by cuttings.

[265]

IXIA BULBOCODIUM. CROCUS-LEAV'D IXIA.

_Class and Order._

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 1-petala, tubulosa; tubo recto, filiformi; limbo 6-partito, campanulato, æquali. _Stigmata_ tria, simplicia. _Thunb. Diss. de Ixia._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

IXIA _Bulbocodium_ scapo unifloro brevissimo, foliis angulatis caulinis, stigmatibus sextuplicibus. _Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 13. p. 76._

IXIA _Bulbocodium_ scapo ramoso, floribus solitariis, foliis sulcatis reflexis. _Thunb. Diss. n. 3._

CROCUS vernus angustifolius. 1. 11. _Clus. Hist. i. p. 207._ violaceo flore, 208. _ejusd._

There are three plants cultivated in the gardens of the curious to which _Bulbocodium_ is applied, either as a generic or a trivial name, viz. _Narcissus Bulbocodium_, _Bulbocodium vernum_, already figured, and the present plant: the _Ixia Bulbocodium_ and _Bulbocodium vernum_ are given in this work, not so much for their beauty as their rarity, not so much to gratify the eye, as to communicate a knowledge of two plants but little known, and liable to be confounded from a similarity of their names.

This is one of the few hardy species of the genus, and grows wild in many parts of Spain and Italy; it is said to have been found in Guernsey: it affects hilly and dry situations, will grow readily in almost any soil, especially if fresh, and not infested with vermin: it flowers about the middle of April, the blossoms do not expand fully unless exposed to the sun, and are not of long duration: authors describe the wild plants as varying greatly in colour, _vid. Clus._ they are most commonly pale blue.

Like the Crocus, it increases readily by offsets.

Was cultivated by Mr. MILLER, in 1739, _Ait. Kew._ Bulbocodium, 1. in the 6th edition of his Dictionary in 4to, is not this plant, but the _Anthericum scrotinum_, _Jacq. Fl. Austr. v. 5. app. t. 38._

[266]

RANUNCULUS AMPLEXICAULIS. PLANTAIN-LEAVED CROWFOOT.

_Class and Order._

POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ deciduus. 5 phyllus, (rarius 3-phyllus) _Petala_ 5, (rarius 2, 3, aut 8) intra ungues squamula vel poro mellifero. _Styli_ persistentes. _Sem._ incrustata, erecta. _Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 13. Gmel._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

RANUNCULUS _amplexicaulis_ foliis ovatis acuminatis amplexicaulibus, caule multifloro, radice fasciculata. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 515._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 265._

RANUNCULUS montanus foliis plantaginis. _Bauh. Pin. 180._

RANUNCULUS pyrenæus albo flore. _Clus. app. alt. auct. ic. 4 ta._ _Ger. emac. 963. fig. 2._

The leaves of the _Ranunculus amplexicaulis_ in part surround the stalk at their base, whence its trivial name; in colour they differ from most others of the genus, being of a greyer or more glaucous hue, which peculiarity joined to the delicate whiteness of the flowers, renders this species a very desirable one to add to a collection of hardy, ornamental, herbaceous plants, more especially as it occupies but little space, and has no tendency to injure the growth of others.

It is a native of the Apennine and Pyrenean mountains, and flowers in April and May.

CLUSIUS is the first author who describes and figures this species. JOHNSON in his _ed._ of GERARD copies his figure, and mentions it as being then made a denizen of our gardens.

It is readily propagated by parting its roots in Autumn, and provided it has a pure air will succeed in most soils an situations.

[267]

PYRUS SPECTABILIS. CHINESE APPLE TREE.

_Class and Order._

ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-fidus. _Petala_ 5. _Pomum_ inferum, 5-loculare, polyspermum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

PYRUS _spectabilis_ umbellis sessilibus, foliis ovali oblongis serratis lævibus, unguibus calyce longioribus, stylis basi lanatis. _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 175._ _Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 13._ _Gmel. p. 842._

The Chinese Apple-Tree when it blossoms in perfection, answers truly to the name of _spectabilis_; a more shewy or ornamental tree can scarcely be introduced to decorate the shrubbery or plantation; its beauty like that of most trees, whose ornament consists chiefly in their blossoms, is however but of short duration, and depends in some degree on the favourableness of the season at the time of their expansion, which usually takes place about the end of April or beginning of May; the flowers are large, of a pale red when open, and semi-double, the buds are of a much deeper hue, the fruit is of little account, and but sparingly produced. Trees of this species are to be met with in some gardens of the height of twenty or thirty feet.

Dr. FOTHERGILL is regarded as the first who introduced this Chinese native, he cultivated it in the year 1780; such plants of it as were in his collection, passed at his decease into the hands of Messrs. GORDON and THOMPSON, in whose rich and elegant Nursery, at Mile-End, this tree may be seen in great perfection.

Though perfectly hardy, as its blossoms are liable to be injured by cutting winds, it will be most proper to plant it in a shelter'd situation.

It is usually increased by grafting it on the Crab stock.

[268]

GLYCINE RUBICUNDA. DINGY-FLOWERED GLYCINE.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 2-labiatus. _Corollæ_ carina apice vexillum reflectens.

_Specific Character._

GLYCINE _rubicunda_ caule perenni volubili, foliis ternatis, foliolis subovalibus integerrimis, pedunculis subtrifloris.

The plant here figured, and very generally known to the Nurserymen, in the neighbourhood of London, by the name of _Glycine rubicunda_, is a native of New South-Wales, and was introduced to this country about the same time as the _Glycine bimaculata_ already figured.

It is a shrubby, twining plant, running up to the height of five, six, or more feet, producing blossoms abundantly from April to June, which are usually succeeded by seed-vessels which ripen their seeds with us.

The flowers though large and shewy, have a kind of dingy or lurid appearance, which greatly diminishes their beauty. We have observed the blossoms of some plants more brilliant than those of others, and we think it highly probable, that, at some future period, seminal varieties may be obtained with flowers highly improved in colour.

This species is readily raised from seeds, is of quick growth, and may be regarded as one of our more hardy green-house plants: probably it may succeed in the open air, if planted in a warm situation, and sheltered in inclement seasons.

[269]

ORNITHOGALUM NUTANS. NEAPOLITAN STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

_Class and Order._

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 6 petala, erecta, persistens, supra medium patens, _Filamenta_ alterna basi dilatata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ORNITHOGALUM _nutans_ floribus secundis pendulis, nectario stamineo campaniformi. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 328._ _Ait. Kew. v. i. p. 443._

ORNITHOGALUM exoticum magno flore minori innato. _Bauh. Pin. p. 70._

ORNITHOGALUM Neopolitanum, the Starre-flower of Naples. _Park. Parad. p. 138. p. 137. f. 8._ _Clus. app. alt. p. 9. fig. 7._

Authors have given to this species of Ornithogalum the name of Neapolitan, following CLUSIUS by whom the plant is figured and described, and who so called it, merely on receiving it from Naples; it may perhaps be doubted whether it be originally a native of Italy. Prof. JACQUIN has figured it in his _Flora Austriaca_, the plant being common about Vienna, in garden-walks, under hedges, and in meadows, he does not however, from that circumstance, regard it as an original native there. CASP. BAUHIN informs us that HONORIUS BELLI sent it him from Crete under the name of _Phalangium_, leaving its true habitat to be settled more precisely hereafter, we shall observe, that it is one of those plants which soon accommodate themselves to any country; producing a numerous progeny both from roots and seeds, and by no means nice as to soil or situation; it is not long before it becomes a weed in the garden, from whence it is apt like the _Hyacinthus racemosus_, already figured, to pass into the field or meadow.

Its flowers, which if not beautiful are singular and delicate, make their appearance towards the end of April, they are of no long duration, seldom continuing above a fortnight, and are succeeded by seed-vessels which produce abundance of ripe seed, by which, as well as by its bulbs, the plant may be increased.

In the _Hortus Kewensis_ it is set down as a Greenhouse plant, one of the rare errors which occur in that most useful work.

[270]

GLYCINE COCCINEA. SCARLET GLYCINE.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 2-labiatus. _Corollæ_ carina apice vexillum reflectens.

_Specific Character._

GLYCINE _coccinea_ foliis ternatis, foliolis subrotundis undulatis.

We here present our readers with another Glycine, very lately raised by several persons in the neighbourhood of London from Botany-Bay seeds, and which we have called _coccinea_ from the colour of its blossoms.

It is a shrubby, climbing plant, which, if supported, will grow to the height of many feet, producing a great number of flowers on its pendant branches; the leaves, which grow three together, are nearly round, and, in the older ones especially, are crimped or curled at the edges; the flowers grow for the most part in pairs, are of a glowing scarlet colour, at the base of the carina somewhat inclined to purple, the bottom of the vexillum is decorated with a large yellow spot, verging to green, which adds much to the beauty of the flower.

It blossoms from April to June, and appears to be fully as much disposed to produce seed vessels, and perfect seeds, as the _rubicunda_, and by which alone it has hitherto been propagated.

We must rank it among the more tender green-house plants.

[271]

CYRTANTHUS ANGUSTIFOLIUS. NARROW-LEAVED CYRTANTHUS.

_Class and Order._

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ tubulosa, clavata, curva, 6-fida, laciniæ ovato-oblongæ. _Filamenta_ tubo inserta, apice conniventia. _Linn. Fil._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CYRTANTHUS _angustifolius_ foliis obtuse carinatis rectis, floribus cernuis, _Linn. Fil. Ait. Kew. v. i. p. 414._

CRINUM _angustifolium_ foliis linearibus obtusis, corollis cylindricis: laciniis alternis interglandulosis. _Linn. Suppl. 195._

CYRTANTHUS is a genus which takes its name from the curvature of its flower, was established by the younger LINNÆUS, and adopted by Mr. AITON in the _Hortus Kewensis_.

The present species is a native of the Cape, and was added to the royal collection at Kew, by Mr. MASSON, in the year 1774. The plant from whence our drawing was made flowered the preceding May with Mr. WHITLEY, Nurseryman, Old Brompton, who received it from Holland, and who has been so fortunate as to obtain young plants of it from seed.

It flowers in May and June; requires the same treatment as other Cape bulbs, and may be increased by offsets and seeds.

At the extremity of each alternate segment of the corolla there is a kind of small glandular hook, deserving of notice.

[272]

GLADIOLUS TRISTIS. SQUARE-LEAVED CORN-FLAG.

_Class and Order._

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 6-partita, ringens. _Stamina_ adscendentia.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

GLADIOLUS _tristis_ foliis lineari-cruciatis, corollis campanulatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 86._ _Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 63._

LILIO-GLADIOLUS bifolius et biflorus, foliis quadrangulis. _Trew. Ehret. t. 39._

GLADIOLUS _tristis_ foliis linearibus sulcatis, caule bifloro, tubo longissimo, segmentis æqualibus. _Mill. Dict. ed. 6. 4to._

LINNÆUS gave to this species of _Gladiolus_ the name of _tristis_, from the colour of its flowers, which however possess scarcely sufficient of the sombre to justify the appellation; still less so if they vary in the manner represented in TREW'S _Ehret_, where they are painted in gay and lively colours: in the specimens we have seen, the blossoms have been of a sulphur colour, shaded in particular parts with very fine pencillings, especially on the under side: most authors describe the flowering stems as producing only two flowers, LINNÆUS has observed that they sometimes produce many, we have seen them do so where the plant has grown in perfection; in their expansion, which usually takes place in April and May, they give forth a most agreeable fragrance.

It is a native of the Cape, and other parts of Africa; was cultivated by Mr. MILLER, and flowered in the Chelsea Garden in the year 1745. _Ait. Kew._

The leaves which so characteristically distinguish this species are highly deserving of notice, instances of such rarely occur; as the bulbs produce numerous offsets, the plant is propagated by them without difficulty, and requires the same treatment as other Cape bulbs.

[273]

DIOSMA UNIFLORA. ONE-FLOWERED DIOSMA.

_Class and Order._

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 5-petala. _Nectaria_ 5, supra germen. _Caps._ 3. s. 5. coalitæ. _Sem._ calyptrata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

DIOSMA _uniflora_ foliis ovato oblongis, floribus solitariis terminalibus. _Linn. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 287._ _Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 239._ _Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 276._

CISTUS humilis æthiopicus, inferioribus foliis rosmarini sylvestris punctatis, cæteris autem serpylli subrotundis, flore carneo. _Pluk. mant. 49. t. 342. f. 5._

The _Diosma uniflora_ another native of the Cape, that never failing source of vegetable riches, was introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew by Mr. MASSON in the year 1775, it flowers in our Green-Houses from April to June, and is usually propagated by cuttings.

This plant forms a small bushy shrub, the leaves are thickly and irregularly set on the branches, quite up to the flowers, which stand singly on their summits, and are larger than those of any other known species of Diosma, expanding as we have found on trial beyond the size of half-a-crown, which the blossom does in our figure, though it will not appear to do so to the eye of most observers; they are without scent, the calyx is large and continuing, composed of five ovato-lanceolate leaves, reddish on the upper side, and if viewed from above visible between the petals; the petals are five in number, much larger than the calyx, and deciduous, of a white colour with a streak of red running down the middle of each, surface highly glazed, the stamina are composed of five short filaments, white and slightly hairy, broad at their base and tapering gradually to a fine point, by which they are inserted into the hind part of the antheræ, near the bottom; the antheræ are as long as the filaments, of a brown purple colour, bending over the stigma, and opening inwardly, each carrying on the upper part of its back a gland-like substance, of a pale brown colour: besides these parts there are five filamentous bodies alternating with, and of the same length as the stamina, of a white colour, and hairy, each dilating at its extremity where it is of a reddish hue, and presenting towards the antheræ an oval somewhat concave surface, which secretes a viscous liquid; in some flowers that we have examined, and we regret seeing but few, we have observed these nectaries (for such they may be strictly called) closely adhering by their viscous summits to the glandular substances at the back of the antheræ[2]; the germen is studded with a constellation of little glands, which pour forth, and almost deluge it with nectar; the stigma is composed of five little round knobs: seed vessels we have not seen.

[Footnote 2: What the use of this very extraordinary apparatus may be we can at present scarcely conjecture, future observation may perhaps enable us to speak more decisively; when we figure the _Diosma ericoides_ we shall probably have more to say of this species.]

[274]

BORBONIA CRENATA. HEART-LEAVED BORBONIA.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ acuminato-spinosus. _Stigma_ emarginatum. _Legumen_ mucronatum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

BORBONIA _crenata_ foliis cordatis multinerviis denticulatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 643._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 9._

FRUTEX _æthiopicus_ leguminosus, foliis rusci majoribus in ambitu spinulis fimbriatis. _Pluk. Alm. 159._

PLANTA leguminosa æthiopica, foliis rusci. _Breyn. Cent. t. 28._

_Borbonia_ is a genus of plants established by LINNÆUS in the 6th edition of his _Genera Plantarum_; of this genus there are six species enumerated in the 3d edition of the _Species Plant_. and two in the _Hort. Kew._ the latter of which, the _crenata_, introduced from the Cape by Mr. MASSON, in 1774, is here figured.

It is a small shrubby plant, rarely exceeding the height of three feet, producing its flowers in a small cluster on the summits of the branches; these are of a yellow colour, and have nothing about them peculiarly singular, or beautiful; it is the foliage alone which renders this plant desirable in a collection.

It flowers from June to August, and in favourable seasons ripens its seeds, by which the plant is usually propagated.

[275]

LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA. COMMON TULIP-TREE.

_Class and Order._

POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 3-phyllus. _Petala_ 6. _Sem._ imbricata in strobilum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

LIRIODENDRON _Tulipifera_ foliis lobatis. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 507._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. 250._

TULIPIFERA virginiana, tripartito aceris folio: media lacinia velut abscissa. _Pluk. Alm. 379. t. 117. f. 5. & t. 248. f. 7._ _Catesb. Carol. 1. p. 48. t. 48._

LIRIODENDRON foliis angulatis truncatis. _Trew. Ehret. t. x._

The Tulip-tree is a native of most parts of North-America, MARSHALL describes it as often growing to the size of a very large tree, 70 or 80 feet in height, and above 4 feet in diameter; he mentions two varieties, one with yellow and the other with white wood; that with yellow wood is soft and brittle, much used for boards, heels of shoes, also turned into bowls, trenchers, &c. the white is heavy, tough, and hard, and is sawed into joists, boards, &c. for building.