Part 1

THE Botanical Magazine; OR, Flower-Garden Displayed:

IN WHICH

The most Ornamental Foreign Plants, cultivated in the Open Ground, the Green-House, and the Stove, are accurately represented in their natural Colours.

TO WHICH ARE ADDED,

Their Names, Class, Order, Generic and Specific Characters, according to the celebrated Linnæus; their Places of Growth, and Times of Flowering:

TOGETHER WITH THE MOST APPROVED METHODS OF CULTURE.

A WORK

Intended for the Use of such Ladies, Gentlemen, and Gardeners, as wish to become scientifically acquainted with the Plants they cultivate.

By _WILLIAM CURTIS_, Author of the Flora Londinensis.

VOL. XIII.

"---- All alone, amid her Garden fair, "From morn to noon, from noon to dewy eve, "She spent her days, her pleasing task to tend "The flowers; to lave them from the water-spring; "To ope the buds with her enamoured breath, "Rank the gay tribes, and rear them in the sun. ---- ---- "Thus plied assiduous her delightful task, "Day after day, till every herb she named "That paints the robe of Spring." Bruce.

_LONDON_:

Printed by Stephen Couchman, Throgmorton-Street, For W. CURTIS, Nº 3, _St. George's-Crescent_, Black-Friars-Road; And Sold by the principal Booksellers in Great-Britain and Ireland.

M DCC XCIX.

[433]

Azalea Pontica. Yellow Azalea.

_Class and Order._

Pentandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ campanulata. _Stamina_ receptaculo inserta. _Caps._ 2-5 locularis polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

AZALEA _pontica_ foliis nitidis lanceolatis, utrinque glabris, racemis terminalibus. _Linn. Sp. Pl. App. p. 1669._ _Pall. Fl. Ross. t. 69. p. 51._

CHAMÆRHODENDROS Pontica maxima Mespili folio flore luteo. _Tourn. Cor. Hist. Rei. Herb. 42._ _Act. Paris 1704. p. 348._ _Buxb. Cent. 5. p. 36. t. 69._

Descr. Shrub from two to three feet or more in height, the thickest part of the stem not exceeding the size of the little finger, covered with a smooth brown bark, irregularly branched; Flowers appearing before the leaves are fully expanded, and produced in umbels at the extremities of the branches, from eight to twelve or more in an umbel, of a fine yellow colour and agreeable fragrance; each blossom is about the size of that of the horse-chestnut, and as some of them are produced much earlier than others, the plant of course continues a considerable time in bloom, standing on short peduncles; Calyx very short, viscous, and irregularly divided, most commonly into five ovato-lanceolate segments; Corolla, tube cylindrical, viscous, grooved, brim divided into five segments, undulated and somewhat wrinkled, ovate, pointed, three turning upwards, two downwards, of the three uppermost segments the middle one more intensely yellow than the others and inclining to orange, with which it is sometimes spotted; Stamina usually five, yellow, projecting beyond the corolla, and turning upwards near their extremities; Antheræ orange-coloured; Pollen whitish and thready; Germen somewhat conical, evidently hairy, and somewhat angular; Style yellowish, filiform, projecting beyond the stamina, and turning upwards; Stigma forming a round green head.

The figure and description here given were taken from a plant which flowered by means of artificial heat, in the spring of 1798, at Mr. Watson's, Nurseryman, Islington, and which had been introduced the same year, by Mr. Anthony Hove, of Warsaw.

As an hardy ornamental shrub, it bids fair to prove an acquisition truly valuable, its flowers produced in the months of June and July, being highly ornamental as well as fragrant.

We have the best authority for regarding this plant as the _Chamærhodendros Pontica_ of Tournefort, it agrees with his own specimens in Sir Joseph Banks's Herbarium, it accords also with his description, and figures, more especially of those flowers which are of their natural size; nor have we any doubts of its being the _Azalea Pontica_ of Prof. Pallas, figured in the _Flor. Rossica_, since it corresponds generally with his description, though not in all points with his figure, which bears evident marks of inaccuracy, the stigma, for instance, is represented as trifid.

Tournefort found this plant on the eastern side of the Black Sea, Mr. Hove on the north side near Oczakow, and elsewhere; Professor Pallas on Mount Caucasus.

As yet there has been no opportunity of ascertaining the best means of propagating this new denizen, but there is every reason to suppose that it will succeed with the treatment bestowed on the other _Azalea's_.

Prof. Pallas relates that the honey of bees frequenting the flowers of this plant is supposed to be narcotic, and that goats, kine, and sheep on eating its leaves have been poisoned thereby.

By permission and with the approbation of Mr. Anthony Hove, the following extracts from his journal are here inserted.

"June 9, 1796, found a few of this species of _Azalea_ on the river Dnieper in swampy ground, four feet high, beginning to blow, called here the stupifying shrub, and considered by some as highly efficacious in curing the venereal disease.

"June 20, found this species on the river Dniester, on the estate of Count Stanislaus Sczesny Potocki, about sixteen English miles from the town of Mohilow, in peat earth, from four to twenty feet high; regarded by the common people as intoxicating, and used in the cure of various diseases.

"July 4, near Oczakow, found thousands of these plants fully blown, in a marsh, every spring-tide overflown by the sea; found there also, a Tartarian farmer, who lived entirely by the profits arising from the honey which the bees extracted from the flowers of this plant, sold to Constantinople and other parts of Turkey for medicinal uses.

"July 15, arrived at Trebizond, found a valley about ten English miles from the sea covered with these plants."

On cultivation, Mr. Hove relates that he found the _Azalea's_ from Trebizond much more tender than those from the borders of the Dnieper and the Dniester, and was therefore inclined to regard them as strong varieties if not distinct species.

The leaves, when fully expanded, are in size and figure like those on the plate, hairy on both sides, and terminating in a very remarkable blunt mucro or point, which has not been noticed either by those who have described or figured the plant as it deserves, for it appears to form a very strong character.

[434]

Oxybaphus Viscosus. Viscid Umbrella-Wort.

_Class and Order._

Triandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-fidus campanulatus. _Cor._ infundibuliformis. _Nux_ 5-gona 1-sperma calyce explanato persistenti circumdata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

OXYBAPHUS _viscosus_. _L'Herit. Monograph._

MIRABILIS _viscosa_ floribus racemosis; foliis cordatis orbiculato-acutis tomentosis. _Cav. Icon. I. n. 17. t. 19._

The present is one of those plants which is entitled to our admiration, for its curious and singular structure, rather than for any extraordinary figure it makes in a collection; not that its flowers are without a certain share of beauty.

It is an annual, growing to about the height of two feet; the whole plant is viscous, and, if bruised, smells somewhat disagreeably; the flowers do not open at any particular time as those of the _Mirabilis_ do, and each contains only three stamina; when they fall off, which they do soon after expanding, the calyx closes on the germen, enlarges, droops, and becomes deeply plaited; on the ripening of the seed it turns brown, expands, and is suspended like a little umbrella over the seed, which when perfectly ripe drops out on the ground; the expanded calyx in this state appears somewhat like the flower of a Physalis.

This plant flowers from June to October, and ripens its seeds in the open air; it is not difficult of culture, requires the same treatment as other tender annuals from Peru.

Our figure was drawn from a plant which flowered 1796, in the collection of the Marchioness of Bute, and was raised from Peruvian seeds, sent her by Prof. Ortega of Madrid, under the name of _Mirabilis triandra_; Mons. Cavanille has figured and described it as the _Mirabilis viscosa_; Mons. L'Heritier, from a consideration of all its characters, has been induced to make a new genus of it, which he has called _Oxybaphus_.

[435]

Gnaphalium Ericoides. Heath-Leaved Gnaphalium, or Everlasting.

_Class and Order._

Syngenesia Polygamia Superflua.

_Generic Character._

_Recept._ nudum. _Pappus_ plumosus. _Cal._ imbricatus: squamis marginalibus rotundatis scariosis coloratis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

GNAPHALIUM _ericoides_ fruticosum foliis sessilibus linearibus, calycibus exterioribus rudibus, interioribus incarnatis. _Linn. Am. Acad. v. 6. p. 99._ _Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 746._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 174._

In the 6th vol. of the _Amoenitates Academicæ_, Linnæus describes this species of _Gnaphalium_, most probably from dried specimens collected at the Cape, where it is a native; so insignificant did the plant appear to him, that in his description, he calls it _misera_; compared with the more magnificent species, such a term might not perhaps be inapplicable: but, though small, the plant possesses much beauty when cultivated, and hence is generally kept in our green-houses.

It flowers from March to August.

Its branches, naturally weak and trailing, require to be carefully tied up; if this business be executed with taste and judgment, the natural beauty of the plant may be considerably heightened.

It is readily increased by cuttings.

Was introduced to the royal garden at Kew, by Mr. Masson, in 1774.

[436]

Hibiscus Præmorsus. Bitten-Leaved Hibiscus.

_Class and Order._

Monadelphia Polyandria.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ duplex: exterior polyphyllus. _Caps._ 5-locularis, polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

HIBISCUS _præmorsus_ foliis subrotundis, dentato-serratis retusis pubescentibus. _Ait. Kew. v. 2. 454._

HIBISCUS _præmorsus_ hirsutus, foliis ovatis basi angustato-cordatis apice præmorsis crenatis, calycibus tomentosis, seminibus tuberculatis. _Linn. Suppl. Pl. p. 309._

PAVONIA _cuneifolia_. _Cavan. Diff. 3. p. 139. t. 45. f. 1._

URENA _præmorsa_. _L'Herit. Stirp. nov. t. 51._

Though not so shewy a plant as many of the genus, we find this species of _Hibiscus_ in most collections of green-house plants about London, flowering from June to September.

Its foliage is singular, its blossoms sulphur coloured with a tint of orange on the under side and without scent; if suffered to grow, this shrub will acquire a considerable height; it seeds freely, by which the plant is readily increased, and by these it requires to be renewed once in two or three years.

Is a native of the Cape, from whence it was introduced, by Mr. Masson, in 1774. _Ait. Kew._

It will be seen by the synonyms, that authors have been divided in their opinions as to the genus of this plant; Linnæus the younger, in his _Suppl._ makes it an _Hibiscus_; Cavanille, a _Pavonia_; L'Heritier, an _Urena_; Mr. Aiton, an _Hibiscus_; not partial to the multiplying of genera, unless there be an obvious necessity for it, we have in the present instance followed the first and last of these writers.

[437]

Hydrangea Arborescens. Shrubby Hydrangea.

_Class and Order._

Decandria Digynia.

_Generic Character._

_Caps._ 2-locularis, 2-rostris, infera, foramine inter stylos dehiscens.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

HYDRANGEA _arborescens_ caule arboreo. _Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 13._ _Gmel. Syst. Veget. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 410._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 76._

ANONYMOS floribus albis parvis, in umbella lata magna dispositis odoratis, foliis amplis acuminatis serratis pediculis insidentibus ex adverso binis, caule fruticoso præalto non ramoso, vasculo parvo, bicapsulari, seminibus minutissimis repleto, duobus parvis filamentis seu corniculis recurvis coronato. _Clayt. n. 79._ _Mill. Icon. t. 251._ _Duham. Arb. 1. t. 3._

As a shrub commonly cultivated for ornament in our gardens and plantations, the _Hydrangea arborescens_ has a right to appear in this work, nevertheless it is more with a view to illustrate a peculiar character of the genus that it is here figured.

This shrub is a native of Virginia, and was introduced in 1736, by P. Collinson, Esq. it is of low growth, rarely exceeding four feet in height; its flowers are produced on the summits of the branches, somewhat in the manner of the _Laurustinus_; they are small, crowded, nearly white, with a tinge of red in them which is not very brilliant, and some fragrance; they are produced in July and August, and sometimes followed by ripe seeds here.

Is easily propagated by parting its roots the latter end of October, prefers a moist soil, but will grow in a dry one; if in severe frosts the stalks, which are rather soft, should be killed, new ones will be put up the following Spring.

[438]

Hydrangea Hortensis. Garden Hydrangea.

HYDRANGEA _hortensis_ foliis ellipticis serratis glaberrimis staminibus æqualibus. _Smith icon. rar. t. 12._

HORTENSIA. _Commmers. Jussieu Gen. 214._

PRIMULA _mutabilis_ caule suffruticoso multiplici, foliis ovatis serratis, floribus nudis. _Loureir Coch. Chin. v. 1. p. 104._

VIBURNUM _tomentosum_ foliis ovatis acuminatis serratis venosis subtus tomentosis, umbellis lateralibus. _Thunb. Jap. p. 123. ?_

SAMBUCUS aquatica surculis pinguibus punctatis, &c. Sijo vulgo Adsai et Ansai et Adsiki. _Kæmpf. Am. Exot. p. 854._ var. fl. albo, pila florida major.

It appears to be a point not yet fully determined, whether the present plant exhibits the appearances belonging to it in a state of nature, or those which are in a certain degree the effect of accident, or of art; in its fructification it certainly is not so completely barren as the Guilder Rose, _Viburnum Opulus_, cultivated in our gardens, since it has most of its parts perfect; yet as none of the authors who have seen it in China or Japan (where it is said not only to be much cultivated but indigenous[1]) describe its fruit, we are inclined on that account to regard it, in a certain degree, as monstrous.

It will appear by the synonyms, that authors have entertained very different opinions as to what this plant really is; Jussieu following Commerson makes it an _Hortensia_, Thunberg a _Viburnum_, Loureiro, ridiculously enough, a _Primula_, and Dr. Smith an _Hydrangea_.

In the original description of the characters of the genus _Hydrangea_ by Linnæus, there is no mention made of two different kinds of florets, as in the _Viburnum_, nor has any author that I am acquainted with described the _Hydrangea arbor._ as producing such; yet, to my great surprise, in a plant of this sort which flowered in my garden at Brompton in July 1797, three of the Cymæ, and three only, threw out each of them from their circumference a very different flower from those in the centre, smaller indeed, but very similar to the flowers of the _Hydrang. hort._ see Pl. 437. In 1788, Mr. Walter published his _Fl. Carolin._ in which he describes a second species of _Hydrangea_, which he calls _radiata_,[2] having very distinctly, as in the _Viburnum_, two different kinds of florets in the same Cyma, this variation in the florets is added by him to the generic character: the similarity which exists between the flowers of Mr. Walter's _Hydrangea radiata_, and those of the present plant sufficiently justify Dr. Smith in making it an _Hydrangea_; the appearances observed by Loureiro[3] on dissecting the germen, and our discovery of the existence of two different kinds of flowers in the _Hydrangea arborescens_, tend still more to confirm its propriety; we may add, that in the very habit of these several plants there exists a considerable similarity; still, however, it is only by ripe seed-vessels of the present plant, that this doubtful matter can be satisfactorily cleared up; but it will not follow, that if it be not an _Hydrangea_ it must be a _Viburnum_.

This magnificent and highly ornamental plant, according to Dr. Smith, was introduced from China to the royal garden at Kew, by Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. in 1790; it was imported by Mr. Slater about the same time, with whom it is said to have first flowered in this country.

If room were allowed us, it would be superfluous to describe minutely a plant now so very common; suffice it to say, that from a strong perennial root, rise a number of half-shrubby, irregular, somewhat spongy stalks, strongly spotted when young with purple, from one to three feet high, terminated by large bunches of flowers, at first green, then rose-coloured, and finally green a second time; these are the most common changes to which they are liable: but it will sometimes happen that a plant which has produced red flowers one year, shall produce blue another, though growing in the same pot; this we saw happen in the year 1796 to a plant in the possession of the Countess of Upper Ossory, whose refined taste and superior judgment have in several instances contributed to render our works more acceptable to the public: the coloured changeable part of the flower is regarded as the calyx, in the centre of which is the corolla, containing the stamina, &c. all varying greatly in point of number; besides these, there are other flowers without any calyx, but the parts which they contain do not seem to be more perfect than those of the others, nor more productive of ripe fruit.

Since the introduction of this plant, trials have been made in regard to its hardiness, and it is found to survive mild winters if planted in very warm sheltered situations; but in others, both stalks and leaves are liable to be killed by slight frosts, though the roots are not; if persons are anxious to have it in the open border, the best mode will be to cut down the stems at the approach of winter, and cover over the root with rotten tan, or some light substance; in the spring fresh stalks will shoot forth, but it is more common to keep this plant during winter in a green-house or well secured frame; by artificial heat it may be brought to flower in April or May, without such, it begins to blossom about June, and continues in bloom till October; when successfully treated, it will acquire the height of three feet, and produce bunches of flowers supremely magnificent: such plants in pots are admirably adapted for decorating court-yards, balconies, &c. unless carefully cut in, it is apt to grow too large for the green-house, therefore it is proper to have a succession of young plants from cuttings, which strike very freely; this plant loves water, is indeed almost an aquatic, a rich soil, and plenty of pot room.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] _Habitat_ et ob pulchritudinem colitur Cantone Sinarum, _Loureir. Coch. Chin. v. 1. p. 104._ Crescit in sylvis variis, inter Miaco et Jedo, etiam cultum, _Thunb. Fl. Jap. p. 123_, who refers to Kæmpfer, whose plant is certainly ours; yet it must be acknowledged that Thunberg's description does not well accord with it.

[2] This plant, or one extremely similar to it, was introduced by Mr. Williams, Nurseryman at Paris, a few years since; we saw it in full bloom, at Mr. Colvill's, King's-Road, in the Summer of 1796.

[3] Pericarpium abortit, quod ex dissecto germine et per microscopium viso apparet polyspermum.

[439]

Illicium Floridanum. Red-flowered Illicium, or Aniseed-Tree.

_Class and Order._

Polyandria Polygynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 6-phyllus. _Petala 27._ _Caps._ plures, in orbem digestæ, bivalves, monospermæ.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ILLICIUM _floridanum_ floribus rubris. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 507._ _Ellis Act. Angl. 1770. (v. 60.) p. 524. t. 12._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 250._

Of the genus _Illicium_ there are at present only two known species, viz. the _anisatum_ and _floridanum_, the former a native of China and Japan, the latter of Florida; both of them are cultivated in this country, but the latter more generally, on account of the superior beauty of its flowers, which are of a fine deep red colour, and have the appearance of being double, though the petals are not preternaturally multiplied; when the plant is in bloom the peduncles hang down, when the petals drop they become erect; the blossoms are not distinguished by their fragrance, though the seed-vessels, and seeds (which do not come to perfection with us) are said to be strongly odoriferous; the foliage of this plant is also much admired: taking it indeed altogether, there are few shrubs held in higher estimation.

According to Mr. Aiton, this species was introduced by John Ellis, Esq. in 1776; but Isaac Walker, Esq. of Southgate, was the first who possessed it in this country, he informs me by letter, that he received plants of it from Pensacola in 1771, by the hands of Mr. John Bradley, and that he communicated some of them to Dr. Fothergill, Dr. Pitcairn, and Mr. Ellis. It flowers from April to July.

Cultivators differ widely as to their treatment of this plant, some keeping it in the stove, others in the green-house, while some have ventured to plant it in the open ground in warm situations; it probably is more hardy than we imagine; all agree in propagating it by layers, or by seeds if they can be procured. Linnæus, contrary to his usual practice, distinguishes the two species by their colour only, and Thunberg is disposed to regard them as mere varieties.

[440]

Erica Albens. Pallid Heath.

_Class and Order._

Octandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 4-phyllus. _Cor._ 4-fida. _Filamenta_ receptaculo inserta. _Antheræ_ apice bifidæ, pertusæ. _Caps._ 4-locularis, 4-valvis, polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ERICA _albens_ antheris muticis inclusis, corollis ovatis oblongis acutis, foliis ternis, racemis secundis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. Murr. ed. 14. p. 367._ _Mant. 233._

ERICA _albens_ mutica, foliis ternis trigonis pilosis, floribus lateralibus, calyce villoso. _Thunb. Prodr. p. 70._

This species, a native of the Cape, has been introduced since the publication of the _Hort. Kew._ and is now to be found in most green-house collections near town.

* * * * *

In its habit, its foliage, and its flowers, it is very distinct from all our other heaths; flowers from April to June, is readily increased by cuttings, and easily kept with the common treatment.

[441]

Antholyza Merianella. Dwarf Antholyza.

_Class and Order._

Triandria Monogynia.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ tubulosa, irregularis, recurvata. _Caps._ infera.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ANTHOLYZA _Merianella_ corollis infundibuliformibus, foliis linearibus. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 87._ _Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 67._

WATSONIA _humilis_ foliis lineari-ensiformibus, tubo floris longissimo. _Mill. ic. 198. t. 297. f. 2._

This very rare species is perfectly distinct from the _Meriana_, of more humble growth, the flowering stem seldom rising to more than a foot in height, and producing from four to six flowers, which are proportionably longer, more closed, and of a deeper red colour than those of _Meriana_.

Was introduced from the Cape by Capt. Hutchinson, in 1754. _Ait. Kew._

Is readily increased by offsets, and requires the same treatment as the _Anthol. Meriana_ already figured.

Flowers in May and June.