Part 3

This shrub is not disposed to grow very tall in America, it is most prudent indeed to keep it humble, to the height of four or five feet, and to plant it in a sheltered part of the garden, as its branches are liable to be broken by high winds: Marshall (_Arb. Amer._) describes it as spreading much from its running roots; we have not observed it to do so in any great degree here; it is propagated by layers, by cuttings of the roots, and by grafting; it is of ready growth, disposed to blow even when young, and not nice as to soil, or situation; the flowers afford a good example of the class Diadelphia, they are large and beautiful, but without scent.

Was cultivated by Mr. Miller in 1758. _Ait. Kew._

[312]

Linum Flavum. Yellow Flax.

_Class and Order._

Pentandria Pentagynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ 5. _Caps._ 5-valvis 10 locularis. _Sem._ solitaria.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

LINUM _flavum_ calycibus subserrato-scabris lanceolatis subsessilibus, panicula ramis dichotomis. _Linn. Sp. Pl. v. 1. ed. 3. p. 399._ _Mant. p. 360._ _Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 303._ _Jacq. Fl. Austr. v. 3. t. 214._

LINUM sylvestre latifolium luteum. _Bauh. pin. 214._

LINUM sylvestre III. latifolium. _Clus. hist. 1. p. 317._

There is a considerable similarity betwixt the representation of the present plant and that of the _Linum arboreum_ figured on the 234th plate of this work, they are nevertheless two species widely differing, the _flavum_ being a hardy herbaceous perennial, a native of Germany, the _arboreum_ a greenhouse shrub from the Levant, both possessing considerable beauty, and highly worthy a place in all collections of ornamental plants.

The _Linum flavum_ is not mentioned either in the Dictionary of Mr. Miller, or the Hortus Kewensis of Mr. Aiton, and as far as our knowledge extends was a stranger in this country, till we raised it the year before last from seeds sent us by Mr. Daval, of Orbe in Switzerland; Clusius gives us a representation of it in flower, and Prof. Jacquin another much superior; according to the latter, it grows by the sides of hedges and among shrubs in mountainous situations, and rarely exceeds a foot in height.

From the little experience we have had of this plant, it appears to be easy of culture, and to succeed best in a soil moderately stiff and moist; the flowers expand most in a morning when the sun shines, and continue in succession during June, July, and part of August; it appears as if it would ripen its seeds in my garden; these vegetate freely: the plant may also be increased by parting its roots in autumn, or by cuttings of the young shoots.

[313]

Daphne Cneorum. Trailing Daphne.

_Class and Order._

Octandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 0. _Cor._ 4-fida corallacea marcescens stamina includens, _Bacca_ 1-sperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

DAPHNE _Cneorum_ floribus congestis terminalibus sessilibus, foliis lanceolatis nudis mucronatis. _Linn. Syst. Veget. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 371._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 26._

THYMELEÆ affinis facie externa. _Bauh. pin. 463._

CNEORUM. _Matth. hist. 46._ _Clus. hist. 89, 90. f. 1._

This charming little shrub is a native of Switzerland and Austria: Clusius informs us that it grows in great abundance on many of the mountains near Vienna, so much so that women gather it when in flower and sell it in the markets; its beautiful and fragrant blossoms come forth in April and May, the principal season for its flowering, but it frequently blows during most of the Summer, and even in the Autumn; it varies with white blossoms.

It is extremely hardy, thrives remarkably well in road sand in almost any situation; is propagated by seeds, which very rarely ripen with us, by layers, and by grafting it on the stock of the Mezereon, whereby it acquires an elevation superior to what it has naturally.

[314]

Genista Triquetra. Triangular-Stalk'd Genista.

_Class and Order._

Diadelphia Decandria.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 2-labiatus: 2/3. _Vexillum_ oblongum a pistillo staminibusque deorsum reflexum.

_Specific Character._

GENISTA _triquetra_ foliis ternatis, summis simplicibus, ramis triquetris procumbentibus. _L'Herit. Stirp. nov. t. 88._ _Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 14._

Mons. L'Heritier, author of many modern publications in Botany, distinguished for their accuracy and elegance, was the first who described and figured this species of Genista, a native of Corsica, and cultivated here by John Ord, Esq. as long since as the year 1770.

It is a hardy, evergreen, trailing shrub, producing a vast profusion of bloom; which renders it eminently conspicuous in May and June; its flowers are rarely succeeded by seed-vessels, so that it is usually propagated by layers.

When tied up properly, and carefully trained to stake, it may vie with most of our ornamental shrubs: for covering a wall, or paling, where the situation is not too shady, it probably would succeed very well, at least it is deserving of trial.

[315]

Pelargonium Ceratophyllum. Horn-Leaved Crane's Bill.

_Class and Order._

Monadelphia Heptandria.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-partitus: lacinia suprema definente in tubulum capillarem, nectariferum, secus pendunculum 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 _ceratophyllum_ umbellis multifloris, foliis remote pinnatis carnosis teretibus, laciniis canaliculatis obsolete trifidis. _L'Herit. Geran. n. 50. t. 13._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2 p. 422._

Mr. Aiton informs us that this species of Pelargonium, which is one of the more fleshy kinds, is a native of the South-West Coast of Africa, and was introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew by Mr. Anthony Hove in 1786.

It flowers during most of the Summer months, and ripens its seeds, by which it may be increased, as also by cuttings; it is found to be more tender than many others, and more liable to be injured by damps, and hence it will require a treatment more applicable to a dry stove plant.

[316]

Polygala Chamæbuxus. Box-Leaved Milk-Wort.

_Class and Order._

Diadelphia Octandria.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus: foliolis 2 majoribus alæformibus, ante maturitatem seminis coloratis. _Caps._ obcordata, 2-locularis. _Sem._ solitaria.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

POLYGALA _Chamæbuxus_ floribus sparsis: carinæ apice subrotundo, foliis lanceolatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 639._ _Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 4._ _Jacq. Fl. Austr. v. 3. p. 19. t. 233._

CHAMÆBUXUS flore coluteæ. _Bauh. Pin. 471._

ANONYMOS flore Coluteæ. _Clus. Hist. p. 105. f._

POLYGALOIDES procumbens foliis duris ovatis nervo aristato. _Hall. Hist. n. 345._

Clusius, in his _Hist. Pl. rar._ gives an accurate description and good figure of the present plant, before unnoticed (as he observes) by any author; it has since been particularly described by Haller and Jacquin; the former makes a distinct genus of it, by the name of _Polygaloides_.

It is an elegant little evergreen shrub of low growth, rarely exceeding a foot in height, with leaves like those of box, producing flowers from May to October, but most plentifully in May and June; each flower stands on a peduncle proceeding from a kind of triphyllous cup, formed of floral leaves, the true calyx is composed of three leaves, which are nearly white; the two outermost petals, similar to the wings of a papilionaceous flower, are also white, or nearly so; the third petal which forms a kind of tube and contains the eight stamina with the pistillum, is white at the base, but yellow towards the extremity, where it changes by degrees to a bright bay colour: both Clusius and Jacquin observed a variety of this plant, in which the calyx and wings were of a beautiful purple; this variety, we believe, has not yet been introduced to this country: the common sort was cultivated in the garden at Oxford, in 1658.

Miller describes it as a plant difficult of cultivation; it is not now regarded as such; both Clusius and Jacquin describe it as having creeping roots; such plants are generally increased without difficulty, and so is this; planted in bog earth on a shady border, it thrives extremely well, and spawns much, so that there is no necessity for having recourse to its seeds. It grows spontaneously on the Alps of Austria and Switzerland.

[317]

Ononis Fruticosa. Shrubby Rest-Harrow.

_Class and Order._

Diadelphia Decandria.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-partitus: laciniis linearibus. _Vexillum_ striatum. _Legumen_ turgidum sessile. _Filamenta_ connata absque fissura.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ONONIS _fruticosa_ foliis sessilibus ternatis lanceolatis serratis, stipulis vaginalibus, pedunculis subtrifloris. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 653._ _Ait. Kew. 24._

ONONIS purpurea verna præcox frutescens, flore rubro amplo. _Moris. Hist. 2. p. 170._

This charming little shrub, highly deserving of being more generally known, is a native of the South of France; and was cultivated here by Miller in 1748.

In favourable situations, it produces blossoms in great profusion during most of the Summer, and ripens seed in abundance: the situation it affects is dry and sandy, but it is a shrub by no means nice, as to soil or place of growth, and so hardy as to have borne the severity of last Winter, 1795, without injury.

In the collections about town we frequently find it in pots, kept with greenhouse plants.

It is said to vary with white flowers.

The best mode of raising it is from seed.

[318]

Anthericum Liliastrum. Savoy Anthericum, or St. Bruno's Lily.

_Class and Order._

Hexandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 6-petala, patens. _Caps._ ovata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ANTHERICUM _Liliastrum_ foliis planis, scapo simplicissimo, corollis campanulatis, staminibus declinatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 330._ _Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 449._

HEMEROCALLIS floribus patulis secundis. _Hall. Hist. n. 1230._

PHALANGIUM magno flore. _Bauh. Pin. 29._

PHALANGIUM Allobrogicum majus. _Clus. cur. app. alt._

PHALANGIUM Allobrogicum. The Savoye Spider-wort. _Park. Parad. p. 150. tab. 151. f. 1._

Botanists are divided in their opinions respecting the genus of this plant; Linnæus considers it as an _Anthericum_, Haller and Miller make it an _Hemerocallis_.

It is a native of Switzerland, where, Haller informs us, it grows abundantly in the Alpine meadows, and even on the summits of the mountains; with us it flowers in May and June.

It is a plant of great elegance, producing on an unbranched stem about a foot and a half high, numerous flowers of a delicate white colour, much smaller but resembling in form those of the common white lily, possessing a considerable degree of fragrance, their beauty is heightened by the rich orange colour of their antheræ; unfortunately they are but of short duration.

Miller describes two varieties of it differing merely in size.

A loamy soil, a situation moderately moist, with an eastern or western exposure, suits this plant best; so situated, it will increase by its roots, though not very fast, and by parting of these in the autumn, it is usually propagated.

Parkinson describes and figures it in his _Parad. Terrest._ observing that "divers allured by the beauty of its flowers, had brought it into these parts."

[319]

Anagallis Monelli. Italian Pimpernel.

_Class and Order._

Pentandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ rotata. _Caps._ circumscissa 1-locularis, polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ANAGALLIS _Monelli_, foliis lanceolatis caule erecto. _Linn. Syst. Veget. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 196._ _Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 201._

ANAGALLIS coerulea foliis binis ternisve ex adverso nascentibus. _Bauh. Pin. 552._

ANAGALLIS tenuifolia Monnelli. _Clus. app. alt._

In Italy and Spain, where this plant grows spontaneously, it is an annual, producing seed in abundance; with us (as far at least as we have observed) it produces no seed, but like the _Senecio elegans_, and some other annuals, is renewed, and rendered perennial by cuttings, which strike freely, and by which the plant requires to be renovated once or twice in a season; though described as growing with an upright stem, it requires to be tied up to a stick; and if this be neatly and dexterously done, its brilliant azure flowers springing from every side of the stem, render it a charming ornament for the greenhouse or window: it flowers during most of the year.

Clusius called it _Anagallis Monnelli_, the first knowledge he had of the plant being from his friend Johannes Monnellus.

On the same plant we find the leaves grow two, three, or four together, with flowers corresponding.

[320]

Lobelia Cardinalis. Scarlet Lobelia, or Cardinal's Flower.

_Class and Order._

Syngenesia Monogamia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-fidus. _Cor._ 1-petala, irregularis. _Caps._ infera 2, s. 3-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

LOBELIA _cardinalis_ caule erecto, foliis lato-lanceolatis serratis, racemo terminali secundo. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 801._ _Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 284._

RAPUNTIUM galeatum virginianum, coccineo flore majore. _Moris. Hist. 2. p. 466. s. 5. t. 5. f. 54._

TRACHELIUM Americarum flore ruberrimo, sive Planta Cardinalis. The rich crimson Cardinal's Flower. _Park. Parad. p. 356. t. 355._

This species of _Lobelia_, so eminently distinguished for the richness of its scarlet blossoms, is a native of the colder as well as warmer parts of North-America. Parkinson, who cultivated it in 1629, informs us that he received plants of it from France for his garden, and that "it groweth neere the river of Canada, where the French plantation in America is seated."

It is a hardy herbaceous plant, growing in favourable situations to the height of three or four feet; the main spike of flowers which terminates the stalk, is often a foot in length; by the time that most of its flowers are blown, side branches shoot out, and flower; so that the plant continues in bloom six weeks or two months: if the Autumn prove favourable, the plant with us produces plenty of seed in the open ground; to insure its ripening, some place pots of it, when blowing, in the greenhouse or stove.

Beautiful and hardy as this plant is, and long as it has been introduced to this country, we do not find it generally in gardens; we attribute this to its having, in a greater degree than many other plants, a partiality for a particular soil; in certain districts, where the soil is stiff and moist, it grows as freely as any weed, in other soils it is perpetually going off: it is also one of those plants whose roots require to be often parted; if this be done every Autumn, and they be planted in a stiff loam, the situation somewhat moist and shady, this very desirable plant may be had to grow and blossom in perfection.

It flowers from the latter end of July to October.

Is increased by parting its roots, by cuttings of the stalk and from seed.

[321]

Cotyledon Orbiculata. Round-Leaved Navel-Wort.

_Class and Order._

Decandria Pentagynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-fidus. _Cor._ 1-petala. _Squamæ_ nectariferæ 5 ad basin germinis. _Caps._ 5.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

COTYLEDON _orbiculata_ foliis orbiculatis carnosis planis integerrimis, caule fruticoso. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 428._ _Ait. Kew. var. [delta] v. 2. p. 106._

COTYLEDON africanum frutescens incanum orbiculatis foliis. _Herm. Lugd. 349. t. 551._ _Moris. Hist. 3. p. 474. s. 12. t. 7 f. 39._

The _Cotyledon orbiculata_ is one of our oldest succulents, being introduced as long since as 1690, by Mr. Bentick[C]: it still retains a place in most collections, deservedly indeed, for it has every claim to our notice; its appearance is magnificent, the glaucous colour of its foliage highly pleasing, its flowers large and of long duration; it blows freely, grows rapidly, is easily increased by cuttings, and will succeed in a house or window, with the common treatment of an African Geranium.

When suffered to grow, it will become a shrub of considerable size; but this is not necessary for its flowering, as young and small plants are disposed to throw out blossoms, which is not the case with a plant extremely similar to, and often confounded with it, viz. the _Crassula Cotyledon_, whose foliage indeed scarcely differs from our plant but in being finely dotted.

It is a native of the Cape, and flowers from June or July to September.

In the _Hort. Kew._ of Mr. Aiton, four varieties are enumerated, differing chiefly in the form of their foliage.

[Footnote C: Ait. Kew.]

[322]

Manulea Tomentosa. Woolly Manulea.

_Class and Order._

Didynamia Angiospermia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-partitus. _Cor._ limbo 5-partito, subulato: laciniis superioribus 4 magis connexis. _Caps._ 2-locularis, polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

MANULEA _tomentosa_ foliis tomentosis, caulibus foliosis, pedunculis multifloris. _Linn. Mant. 420. Syst. Veget. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 569._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 356._

SELAGO _tomentosa_ foliis obovatis crenatis, caule prostrato, racemis ramosis. _Linn. Amoen. Acad. v. 6. p. 90._ _Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 877._

PLANTA _Pluk. Phyt. 319. f. 2._

Linnæus describes this plant in the _Amoenitates Academicæ_ under the name of _Selago tomentosa_, by which name he continues to call it in the third edition of the _Spec. Pl._ in his _Mantissa_ he describes it more minutely, and changes it to the Genus _Manulea_, first established by him in the said work; he observes, that in this species the corolla is more regular than in the others.

Mr. Aiton regards it as a biennial, its stalk is a foot or a foot and a half high, and woolly, its branches are opposite, not alternate as Linnæus describes them; in this perhaps they may vary; leaves opposite, sessile, obovate, narrowing to the base, toothed on the edge, edge rolled back a little in the young leaves, flowers grow in a long thyrsus, from two to five proceed from one common short peduncle; they are at first lemon-coloured, or greenish yellow, finally deep orange; Linnæus says the whole of the plant except the corolla is woolly, the tube of that even is hairy, the segments are smooth, with their edges rolled back, the upper part of the tube in which the stamina are included is dilated somewhat, as is also the lower part, so that it is narrowest in the middle. The flowers which make their appearance from May to November are usually succeeded by seeds, by which the plant is propagated.

It is a native of the Cape, and, according to Mr. Aiton, was introduced by Mr. Masson, in 1774.

The blossoms have a singular but unpleasant smell, not perceivable at a distance.

The variety of pleasant colours so conspicuous in the flowers, renders this rare plant desirable to such as aim at a general collection.

[323]

Rubus Odoratus. Flowering Raspberry.

_Class and Order._

Icosandria Polygynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-fidus. _Petala_ 5. _Bacca_ composita acinis monospermis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

RUBUS _odoratus_ foliis simplicibus palmatis, caule inermi multifolio multifloro. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 475._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 210._

RUBUS odoratus. _Corn. Canad. 149. t. 150._

Botanists and Gardeners have given to this species of Rubus the name of _flowering_, not because it is the only one which produces flowers, but from its being regarded for its flowers merely; they indeed are so shewy, and so plentifully produced, that the plant has long been thought to merit a place in most shrubberies; to the various inhabitants of which, both in the largeness and elegant form of its leaves, and the colour of its blossoms, it forms a pleasing contrast.

It is extremely hardy, and easily propagated by suckers; the only care which it requires, is to keep it within proper bounds: young plants of it produce the largest and finest flowers.

It blossoms from June to September, is a native of different and distant parts of North-America, and was cultivated here by Mr. Miller, in 1739.

Cornutus, who first figured and described this plant, gave it the name of _odoratus_, on account of the fragrance of its foliage; his words are "elegantissimi hujus folia fragrantissima sunt, paremque agrimonio odorato spirant odorem;" the fruit, rarely produced with us, he observes, is like the common Raspberry, but not so pleasant.

[324]

Antirrhinum Triphyllum. Three-Leaved 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 _triphyllum_ foliis ternis ovatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 555._ _Ait. Kew._

LINARIA triphylla minor lutea. _Bauh. Pin. 212._

LINARIA triphylla coerulea. _Bauh. Pin. 212._

LINARIA hispanica. _Clus. Hist. 1. p. 320._

LINARIA valentina. Tode Flaxe of Valentia. _Park. Par. p. 268._

The _Antirrhinum triphyllum_, so called from the leaves growing by threes on the stalk (a character, by the bye, not very constant) was cultivated by Parkinson, and described by him in his _Parad. terr._ He appears to have been a stranger to the particoloured variety now so generally cultivated as an ornamental annual in our gardens; in its wild state the flowers of this _Antirrhinum_ are of a yellow hue, with little or no purple in them, such indeed are frequently produced from seeds sown in our gardens.

It is a hardy annual, a native of Spain and Sicily, a plant of ready growth, requiring the common treatment of annuals sown in the Spring, and much disposed indeed to come up spontaneously where it has once grown; in sowing its seeds, care should be taken to preserve the produce of such flowers as have the most purple in them.

INDEX.

In which the Latin Names of the Plants contained in the _Ninth Volume_ are alphabetically arranged.

_Pl._ 295 Agrostemma Coeli rosa. 290 Amaryllis lutea. 294 ---- sarniensis. 305 ---- equestris. 319 Anagallis Monelli. 324 Antirrhinum triphyllum. 318 Anthericum Liliastrum. 293 Catananche coerulea. 291 Capparis spinosa. 321 Cotyledon orbiculata. 289 Convolvulus linearis. 313 Daphne Cneorum. 297 Dianthus superbus. 303 Erica ampullacea. 310 Erinus alpinus. 314 Genista triquetra. 300 Gnaphalium eximium. 299 Hermannia alnifolia. 304 ---- lavendulifolia. 307 ---- althæifolia. 312 Linum flavum. 320 Lobelia Cardinalis. 322 Manulea tomentosa. 301 Melianthus minor. 302 Mimosa myrtifolia. 317 Ononis fruticosa. 298 Origanum Dictamnus. 306 Othonna pectinata. 292 Passerina grandiflora. 309 Pelargonium echinatum. 315 ---- ceratophyllum. 316 Polygala chamæbuxus. 311 Robinia hispida. 323 Rubus odoratus. 296 Sempervivum tortuosum. 308 Verbena Aubletia.

INDEX.

In which the English Names of the Plants contained in the _Ninth Volume_ are alphabetically arranged.