[261]
Erodium Incarnatum. Flesh-Coloured Crane's-Bill
Class and Order
Monadelphia Pentandria
Generic Character
Cal. 5-phyllus. Cor. 5-petala. Nect. Squamulæ 5 cum filamentis alternantes; et glandulæ melliferæ, basi staminum insidentes. Fructus 5-coccus, rostratus; rostra spiralia, introrsum barbata. L'Herit. Geran.
Specific Character and Synonyms
ERODIUM incarnatum pedunculis paucifloris, foliis tripartitis ternatisve trifidis scabris, caule fruticuloso. L'Herit. n. 21. tab. 5. Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 415.
GERANIUM incarnatum pedunculis bifloris, foliis tripartitis trifidis glabris, petalis integris, arillis glabris. Linn. Suppl. Pl.
GERANIUM incarnatum foliis incisis quinquelobis punctatis; petiolis longissimis, pedunculis trifloris. Cavanill. diff. 4. p. 223. n. 314. t. 97. f. 3.
No261.
In the 80th number of this work we gave a figure of the Pelargonium tricolor, a plant very generally regarded as the most beautiful of the genus; we now present our readers with the representation of an Erodium, which has to boast nearly an equal share of admiration.
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.
No262.
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.
No263.
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.
No264.
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.
No265.
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.
No266.
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.