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Of this plant LINNaeUS makes two species, viz. the _vernalis_ and _appennina_, differing in their specific character merely in the number of their petals, which are found to vary from situation and culture; as the first name taken from its time of flowering is the most expressive, we have followed Mr. MILLER and Mr. AITON in adopting it.
It is an old inhabitant of the English gardens, and a most desirable one, as it flowers in the spring; produces fine shewy blossoms, which expand wide when exposed to the sun, is hardy and readily cultivated.
Grows wild on the mountainous pastures of some parts of Germany.
It may be increased by parting its roots in Autumn or Spring, or by seed. MILLER recommends the latter mode.
[135]
GLADIOLUS CARDINALIS. SUPERB GLADIOLUS; or, CORN-FLAG.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
_Corolla_ 6-part.i.ta, irregularis, inaequalis, _Stigmata_ 3.
_Specific Character._
GLADIOLUS _cardinalis_ corollae erectae limbo campanulato, floribus secundis, scapo multifloro, foliis ensiformibus multinerviis.
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 135]
This new species of Gladiolus, of whose magnificence our figure can exhibit but an imperfect idea, was introduced into this country from Holland, a few years since, by Mr. GRAFFER, at present Gardener to the King of Naples; and first flowered with Messrs. LEWIS and MACKIE, Nurserymen, at Kingsland; a very strong plant of it flowered also this summer at Messrs. GRIMWOODS and Co. which divided at top into three branches, from one of which our figure was drawn.
It obviously differs from the other more tender plants of this genus, in the colour of its flowers, which are of a fine scarlet, with large white somewhat rhomboidal spots, on several of the lowermost divisions of the Corolla; strong plants will throw up a stem three or four feet high.
It is most probably a native of the Cape, flowers with us in July and August, and is increased by offsets from the bulbs; must be treated like the Ixias and other similar Cape plants.
[136]
PELARGONIUM TETRAGONUM. SQUARE STALKED GERANIUM.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
MONADELPHIA HEPTANDRIA.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ 5-part.i.tus, lacinia suprema definente in tubulum capillarem, nectariferum, secus pedunculum decurrentem. _Cor._ 5-petala, irregularis. _Filamenta_ 10, inaequalia: quorum 3 (raro 5) castrata. _Fructus_ 5-coccus, rostratus: _rostra_ spiralia, introrsum barbata.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
PELARGONIUM _tetragonum_ pedunculis bifloris, ramis tetragonis carnosis, corollis tetrapetalis, _L'Herit. n. 72. t. 23._
GERANIUM _tetragonum_. _Linn. Suppl. p. 305._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 136]
A vein of singularity runs through the whole of this plant, its stalks are unequally and obtusely quadrangular, sometimes more evidently triangular; its leaves few, and remarkably small; its flowers, on the contrary, are uncommonly large, and what is more extraordinary have only four petals; previous to their expansion they exhibit also an appearance somewhat outre, the body of the filaments being bent so as to form a kind of bow, in which state we have represented one of the blossoms in our figure.
When it flowers in perfection, which it is not apt to do in all places, the largeness of its blossoms renders it one of the most ornamental of the genus.
There is a variety of it with beautifully coloured leaves, of which we have availed ourselves in its representation.
It flowers from June, to August, and September; requires the same treatment as the more common Geraniums, and is readily propagated by cuttings.
Was first introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew, by Mr. Ma.s.sON, in 1774, from the Cape, of which, it is a native. _Ait. Hort. Kew._
[137]
HYPERIc.u.m BALEARIc.u.m. WARTY ST. JOHN'S-WORT.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA.
_Generic Character._
_Calyx_ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ 5. _Nectarium_ 0. _Capsula_.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
HYPERIc.u.m _balearic.u.m_ floribus pentagynis, caule fruticoso foliis ramisque cicatrizatis. _Linn. Syst. Veget. p. 102._
MYRTO-CISTUS pennaei _Clus. Hist. 1. p. 68._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 137]
Is according to LINNaeUS a native of _Majorca_; MILLER says that it grows naturally in the Island of _Minorca,_ from whence the seeds were sent to England by Mr. SALVADOR, an Apothecary at Barcelona, in the year 1718.
The stalks of this species are usually of a bright red colour, and covered with little warts; the leaves are small with many depressions on their upper sides like scars; the flowers are not always solitary, but frequently form a kind of Corymbus.
It is a hardy green-house plant, and readily propagated by cuttings.
It flowers during most of the Summer.
CLUSIUS informs us in his _Hist. pl. rar. p. 68._ that he received from THOMAS PENNY, a Physician of London, in the year 1580, a figure of this elegant plant, and who the next year shewed a dried specimen of the same in London, which had been gathered in the Island of Majorca, and named by him [Greek: murto kison], or Myrtle-Cistus[2] it appears therefore that this plant has long been known, if not cultivated in this country.
