Part 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 Greenhouse, 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. IX.

"But softer tasks divide Florella's hours; "To watch the buds just op'ning on the day; "With welcome shade to screen the languid flowers, "That sicken in the summer's parching ray.

"Oft will she stoop amidst her evening walk, "With tender hand each bruised plant to rear; "To bind the drooping lily's broken stalk, "And nurse the blossoms of the infant year."

Mrs. Barbauld.

_LONDON_:

PRINTED BY STEPHEN COUCHMAN,

For W. CURTIS, N^o 3, _St. George's Crescent_, Black-Friars-Road; And Sold by the principal Booksellers in Great-Britain and Ireland.

M DCC XCV.

[289]

Convolvulus Linearis. Narrow-Leaved Convolvulus.

_Class and Order._

Pentandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ campanulata, plicata. _Stigmata_ 2. _Caps._ 2-locularis: loculis dispermis.

_Specific Character._

CONVOLVULUS _linearis_ caulibus erectis fruticosis, foliis linearibus acutis piloso-sericeis, floribus terminalibus umbellato-paniculatis, calycibus pilosis.

The plant here represented has long been cultivated as a greenhouse plant in this country under the name of _Convolvulus Cantabrica_, but it differs so essentially from that plant, as figured and described by Prof. Jacquin in his _Flora Austr._ and accords so little with the other species described by Linnæus, that we have been induced to regard it as a perfectly distinct species; in most points it agrees with _Convolvulus Cneorum_, but differs in having leaves much narrower, more pointed, and less silky.

It strikes most readily from cuttings, is a hardy greenhouse plant, and flowers during most of the Summer, qualities which many of the modern and more shewy greenhouse plants cannot boast.

The precise time of its introduction here, together with its particular place of growth, we have not as yet been able satisfactorily to ascertain.

[290]

Amaryllis Lutea. Yellow Amaryllis.

_Class and Order._

Hexandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ hexapetaloidea, irregularis. _Filamenta_ fauci tubi inserta, declinata, inæqualia proportione vel directione. _Linn. Fil._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

AMARYLLIS _lutea_ spatha indivisa obtusa, flore sessili, corolla campanulata erecta basi breve tubulosa, staminibus erectis, alternis brevioribus. _Linn. Fil. Ait. Kew. v. 21. p. 415._

COLCHICUM luteum majus. _Bauh. Pin. p. 69._

NARCISSUS autumnalis major. The greater Autumne or Winter Daffodill. _Park. Parad. p. 77. 75. f. 7._

The Amaryllis lutea is a hardy perennial bulbous plant, a native of Spain, and other of the more Southern parts of Europe, and was cultivated in our Gardens in the time of Gerard, and Parkinson.

Flora, who commences her revolutionary reign, by enlivening the flower border with the Spring Crocus, and its numerous varieties, terminates it with flowers equally pleasing, and of similar hues; thus we have the present plant, the Saffron Crocus, and the Colchicum, flowering nearly at the same time, from the end of September, through October, and sometimes part of November.

Similar as the Amaryllis is to the yellow Spring Crocus, in the colour, and form of its flowers, it differs obviously in the number of its stamina, the breadth of its leaves, and the size and colour of its root.

Authors describe it as varying in size, in the breadth of its leaves, the height of its flowers, and multiplication of the Corolla.

The Dutch Florists export it under the title of yellow Colchicum, following the name of some of the old writers.

It succeeds best in a soil moderately moist, in which it increases considerably by offsets, and flowers to the most advantage when the roots have remained for some few years undisturbed in the same spot.

[291]

Capparis Spinosa. The Caper Shrub.

_Class and Order._

Polyandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 4-phyllus, coriaceus. _Petala_ 4. _Stamina_ longa. _Bacca_ corticosa, unilocularis, pedunculata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CAPPARIS _spinosa_ pedunculis unifloris solitariis, stipulis spinosis, foliis annuis, capsulis ovalibus. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 487._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 221._

CAPPARIS _spinosa_ fructu minore, folio rotundo. _Bauh. Pin. p. 480._

We are happy in having it in our power to lay before our readers a representation of the Caper shrub, whose blossoms are rarely seen in this country, though its flower-buds are in very general use as a pickle; indeed, so great is their consumption, that they form a very considerable article of commerce.

The plant grows spontaneously in the more southern parts of Europe, especially in Italy and the Levant; in its wild state it forms a shrub of low growth, having numerous, spreading, spinous branches, somewhat thickly beset with smooth roundish leaves; the blossoms grow alternately on the branches, and when the plant begins to flower, one opens generally every other morning, but so delicate are its parts, that on a hot summer's day it fades before noon: the petals are white; the filaments, which are extremely numerous, are white below, and of a rich purple above; in these the beauty of the flower chiefly consists, as in the pistillum or pointal does its great singularity; at first view, one would be led to conclude, that the part so conspicuous in the centre of the flower was the style terminated by the stigma in the usual way; but if we trace this part of the flower to a more advanced state, we shall perceive, that what we took for the style, was merely an elongation of the flower-stalk, and what we took for the stigma, was in reality the germen placed on it, crowned with a minute stigma, without any intervening style; this germen swells, turns downward, and ultimately becomes the seed-vessel, rarely ripening in this country.

Miller observes, that these plants are with difficulty preserved in England, for they delight to grow in crevices of rocks, and the joints of old walls and ruins, and always thrive best in an horizontal position; so that when they are planted either in pots or the full ground, they rarely thrive, though they may be kept alive for many years.

It flowers in May and June, and is usually raised from seeds.

Mr. Aiton regards it as a greenhouse plant, and informs us that it was cultivated by Gerard in 1596.

[292]

Passerina Grandiflora. Great-Flowered Passerina.

_Class and Order._

Octandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 0. _Cor._ 4-fida. _Stamina_ tubo imposita. _Sem._ 1. corticatum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

PASSERINA _grandiflora_ glaberrima, foliis oblongis acutis concavis extrinsecus rugosis, floribus terminalibus sessilibus solitariis. _Linn. Suppl. Pl. p. 226._

The _Passerina_ here figured, distinguished from all the other known species by the largeness of its flowers, is described in the _Suppl. Pl._ of the younger Linnæus, but not enumerated in the _Hortus Kewensis_ of Mr. Aiton: it is indeed a plant recently introduced to this country from the Cape; we saw it last Summer in great perfection, at Messrs. Lee and Kennedy's, Hammersmith; it forms a small neat shrub, somewhat like the _Phylica ericoides_, is a hardy greenhouse plant, flowering in May and June, and increased without difficulty from cuttings.

[293]

Catananche Cærulea. Blue Catananche.

_Class and Order._

Syngenesia Polygamia Æqualis.

_Generic Character._

_Recept._ paleaceum. _Cal._ imbricatus. _Pappus_ aristatus, caliculo 5 seto.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CATANANCHE cærulea squamis calicis inferioribus ovatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 722._ _Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 134._

CHONDRILLA cærulea cyani capitulo. _Bauh. Pin. 130._

The _Catananche cærulea_ is a native of the South of France, where it grows in hilly situations that are stony: it is a perennial herbaceous plant, moderately hardy, and has long been cultivated in our gardens, Mr. Aiton says, by Parkinson in 1640: Miller, who treats of it in his Dictionary, describes it as a pretty ornament to a garden, and one that is easily kept within bounds; there is certainly much about it to excite our admiration, more especially in the structure of the calyx, and the florets: the flowers, which are of a pale blue colour with a dark eye, make their appearance from July to October.

It is propagated by seeds, which Miller recommends to be sown in the Spring; the seedlings should be transplanted in the Autumn, into the borders where they are to remain; it may also be increased by slips: the plant requires a situation moderately dry, and is most productive of flowers and seeds when it stands long in one spot.

In the 14th _edit._ of the _Systema Vegetab._ of Prof. Murray, mention is made of a variety with double flowers, which we believe has not been seen in this country.

[294]

Amaryllis Sarniensis. Guernsey Amaryllis.

_Class and Order._

Hexandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ hexapetaloidea irregularis. _Filamenta_ fauci tubi inserta declinata inæqualia proportione vel directione. _Linn. fil. Ait. Kew. p. 415._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

AMARYLLIS _sarniensis_, petalis linearibus planis, staminibus pistilloque rectiusculis corolla longioribus, stigmatibus partitis revolutis. _Linn. fil. Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 420. Thunb. Jap. p. 131._

LILIUM sarniense. _Dougl. Monogr. t. 1, 2._

NARCISSUS japonicus rutilo flore. _Corn. Canad. Kæmpf. Amæn. p. 872._

The Guernsey Lily, as it is most commonly called, is originally a native of Japan; where it is described to grow by Kæmpfer and Thunberg, who visited that island, the latter says on the hills about Nagasaki, from thence roots are said to have been introduced to the garden of Johannes Morinus at Paris, in which it flowered, October 1634: its introduction to this country, which was subsequent to that date, as Dr. Douglass relates in his _Monographia_ on this plant, "happened by a very singular melancholy accident, of which Dr. Morison, who no doubt had it from some persons then residing in Guernsey, gives us the following account: A Dutch or English ship, it is uncertain which, coming from Japan, with some of the roots of this flower on board, was cast away on the island of Guernsey; the roots were thrown upon a sandy shore, and so by the force of the winds and waves, were soon buried in sand; there they remained for some years, and afterwards, to the great surprise and admiration of the inhabitants, the flowers appeared in all their pomp and beauty." Some of these soon made their appearance in this country: Mr. Aiton relates, that the plant was cultivated here in 1659, by General Lambert, at Wimbledon.

Fatal as Guernsey proved to the unfortunate mariners, it afforded the roots of our plant a soil and situation apparently congenial to their own; in that island they have flourished ever since, there they are propagated in the open borders of the flower-garden with the least possible trouble, flowering most readily, but we believe never producing any ripe seeds; from thence most of the roots which flower with the curious here, are yearly imported in the Autumn.

In Guernsey, the cold of the Winter is far less intense than with us; many of those plants which we keep in our greenhouses, stand with them in the open ground; the superior mildness of the climate enables them to cultivate this plant with more success than we can do, even perhaps with all the expence and trouble to which we might subject ourselves; to such, however, whose situations may be favourable, and who may be fond of making experiments, we recommend the perusal of Fairchild's Directions, a practical Gardener of great ingenuity, and who appears to have had much experience in the culture of this plant[A].

It is usual to plant the imported bulbs in pots of sand, or light loam, as soon as they arrive, and place them in the parlour window, or greenhouse; they blossom in September and October; the flowers, which continue about a month in perfection, are inodorous, but make up for that deficiency by the superior splendour of their colours: Dr. Douglass thus describes them, each flower when in its prime looks like a fine gold tissue wrought on a rose-coloured ground, but when it begins to fade and decay, it looks more like a silver tissue, or what they call a pink colour: when we look upon the flower in full sun-shine, each leaf appears to be studded with thousands of little diamonds, sparkling and glittering with a most surprising and agreeable lustre; but if we view the same by candle-light, these numerous specks or spangles look more like fine gold dust.

Both Kæmpfer and Thunberg agree, that the Japanese regard the root as poisonous.

[Footnote A: "They love a light earth, made with dung and sand, and a little lime rubbish with it does very well, it keeps the roots sound; for if the earth be too stiff or wet, you may keep them for many years before they blow. If they are in pots, they should be put in the house in Winter, to keep them from the severe frosts, which are apt to rot the roots. The time of moving them is when they have no leaves on the root, that is from June to August: those that come with six leaves this year, seldom fail blowing the next year: they need not be put in fresh earth above once in two or three years: by this method of management I have had the same roots blow again in four years time. The many miscarriages that happen to the Guernsey Lily, are by letting the leaves be killed by the fierceness of the frost in Winter, or by cutting them off, as some people do, when they are green, which will so much weaken the plants, that they may keep them twenty years and not have them blow; by the above management, where there is a stock, there will be continually some blowing.

"Miller recommends for these roots the following compost: Take a third-part of fresh virgin earth from a pasture-ground which is light, then put near an equal part of sea-sand, to which you should add rotten dung and sifted lime rubbish, of each an equal quantity."

The great business in the culture of this flower, next to a proper soil and situation, seems to consist in giving the plant as much air as possible, and in preserving the foliage in the Winter from the injury of frost.]

[295]

Agrostemma C[oe]li Rosa. Smooth-Leav'd Cockle, or Rose Campion.

_Class and Order._

Decandria Pentagynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 1-phyllus, coriaceus. _Petala_ 5 unguiculata: limbo obtuso indiviso. _Caps._ 1 locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

AGROSTEMMA _Coeli rosa_ glabra, foliis lineari-lanceolatis, petalis emarginatis coronatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. p. 435._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 116._

LYCHNIS segetum, Nigellastrum minus glabrum dicta, flore eleganter rubello. _Moris. Hist. 2. p. 543. s. 5. t. 22. f. 32._

LYCHNIS pseudomelanthiis similis africana glabra angustifolia. _Herm. Leyd. 391. t. 393._

Mr. Aiton informs us in his _Hortus Kewensis_, that the charming annual here figured, the liveliness of whose colours no paint can express, was cultivated by Miller in 1739; seeing it is a plant of such beauty, and honoured with so distinguished an appellation, it is singular that it should not by this time have made its way more generally into our gardens.

The Cockle of our corn-fields is an ornamental plant, the present species resembles it; but while the plant itself is much smaller, its flowers are proportionably larger, and their colours more vivid.

It is an annual of ready growth, a native of Sicily and the Levant, flowering in July and August, and ripening its seeds in September and October.

It appears to most advantage when several plants of it grow together; the best mode, therefore, is to sow about a dozen seeds early in April on the several spots of the flower-border where you intend they shall remain; no other care is necessary than to keep the plants free from weeds and vermin.

The _Agr. Coeli rosa_ of _Miller's Gard. Dict. ed. 6 4to._ is the _coronaria_.

[296]

Sempervivum Tortuosum. Gouty Houseleek.

_Class and Order._

Dodecandria Dodecagynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 12-partitus. _Petala_ 12. _Capsulæ_ 12 polyspermæ.

_Specific Character._

SEMPERVIVUM _tortuosum_ foliis obovatis subtus gibbis villosis, nectariis bilobis. _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 148._

We know of no figure of this plant, the first and only account of which is to be found in the _Hort. Kew._ of Mr. Aiton; there it is specifically described, and from thence we discover that it was introduced from the Canary Islands, where it is a native, by Mr. Masson, in 1779.

It is a shrubby plant of low growth, producing numerous fleshy leaves growing thickly together, which being evergreen, and making a pretty appearance the year through, render the plant worthy a place in all general collections at least, of greenhouse plants; and though it cannot vie with many of the more shewy high-priced novelties, it is an abiding plant, not subject to casualties, while many of those are here to day and gone to morrow.

It throws up its flowering stems, supporting numerous, starry, stonecrop-like flowers, in July and August, and is most readily propagated by cuttings.

It is one of those species of Houseleek which connect the genera _Sedum_ & _Sempervivum_.

[297]

Dianthus Superbus. Superb Pink.

_Class and Order._

Decandria Digynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ cylindricus, 1-phyllus: basi squamis 4. _Petala_ 5 unguiculata. _Caps._ cylindrica, 1-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

DIANTHUS _superbus_ floribus paniculatis: squamis calycinis brevibus acuminatis, corollis multifido-capillaribus, caule erecto. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 418._

CARYOPHYLLUS simplex alter, flore laciniato odoratissimo. _Bauh. Pin. 210._

CARYOPHYLLUS plumarius Austriacus sive superba Austriaca. The feathered Pinke of Austria. _Park. Parad. p. 316. 4._

Many of the plants of this genus diffuse an agreeable odour, which renders them most desirable objects for the flower-garden: this quality the present species possesses in a superior degree to most others; a few of its flowers communicate to a nosegay a delicate and most delicious smell, or placed in a vial of water they will even scent a small apartment[B]: it is to be regretted, however, that the blossoms, unless placed in water, from their extreme delicacy, flag soon after they are gathered.

It may be doubted whether the _Dianthus superbus_ of _Miller's Dict. ed. 6. 4to._ be our plant; if it be, the description is not drawn up with that accuracy which distinguishes his descriptions in general; the mode of culture, however, which he recommends is strictly applicable to it, as the plant rarely continues in vigour more than two years, and as it is in its greatest beauty the first year of its flowering, he recommends that young plants should be annually raised for succession from seeds, which are plentifully produced; the seeds of this plant ought therefore to be kept in the shops with annuals and biennials.

The _Dianthus superbus_ is a native of Germany, Switzerland, France, and Denmark: Clusius found it growing in the moist meadows about Vienna, and on the borders of woods adjoining to such, with some of its flowers white, others purplish; Parkinson describes them of these two colours, but says the most ordinary with us are pure white, which is contrary to what we now find them: they are rarely produced before August, from which period they will continue frequently to blossom till October.

The Spring is the best time for sowing its seeds; the plants require no very nice or particular treatment.

[Footnote B: This fragrance has been noticed by all the old authors who have treated of the plant: Clusius describes the flowers as _suavissimi odoris et è longinquo nares ferientis_, of which words Parkinson's are almost a literal translation "of a most fragrant sent, comforting the spirits and senses afarre off."]

[298]

Origanum Dictamnus. Dittany Of Crete.

_Class and Order._

Didynamia Gymnospermia.

_Generic Character._

_Strobilus_ tetragonus, spicatus, calyces colligens.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ORIGANUM _Dictamnus_ foliis inferioribus tomentosis, spicis nutantibus. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 541._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2 p. 311._ Dittany of Candia.

DICTAMNUS creticus. _Bauh. Pin. p. 222._

By the name of Dittany of Crete, the species of Origanum here figured, has long been known in this country as a medicinal plant; to the purposes of physic it still indeed continues to be applied, as imported in a dried state from the Levant: when bruised, the whole plant gives forth an aromatic fragrance, highly grateful; as an ornamental plant, it has also been long, and is now, very generally cultivated in this country. Turner, whose Herbal was printed in 1568, writes thus concerning it, "I have sene it growynge in England in Maister Riches gardin naturally, but it groweth no where ellis that I know of, saving only in Candy." As at this period no idea was entertained of a greenhouse, the plant must have been cultivated in the open ground, where it would doubtless grow readily, if secured from the severity of the weather, it being more hardy than many plants usually kept in greenhouses.

This plant is at all times ornamental, but more particularly so when in flower, in which state it appears during most of the summer and autumnal months.

It is usually increased by cuttings, which strike readily.

[299]

Hermannia Alnifolia. Alder-Leaved Hermannia.

_Class and Order._

Monadelphia Pentandria.

_Generic Character._

Pentagyna. _Caps._ 5-locularis. _Petala_ basi semitubulata, obliqua.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

HERMANNIA _alnifolia_ foliis cuneiformibus lineatis plicatis crenato-emarginatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 610._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 412._

ARBUSCULA africana tricapsularis ononidis vernæ singulari folio. _Pluk. Mant. 14. t. 239. f. 1._

_Hermannia_ is a genus of plants named in honour of Dr. Paul Herman, a Dutch Botanist of great celebrity, author of the _Paradisus Batavus_, and other valuable works: twenty-six species are enumerated in the 13th edition of the _Syst. Naturæ_ of Linnæus by Prof. Gmelin, and eight in the _Hortus Kewensis_ of Mr. Aiton; most of those in the latter work are cultivated in the nurseries near town: they form a set of the more hardy greenhouse plants, grow readily, and flower freely; their blossoms are for the most part yellow, and have a considerable affinity with those of the _Mahernia_.

The present species flowers very early in the spring, from February to May, producing a great profusion of bloom during that period; is a native of the Cape, and was cultivated by Mr. Miller, in 1728.

It rarely ripens its seeds with us, but is readily increased by cuttings.