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_Cla.s.s and Order._
TETRADYNAMIA SILICULOSA.
_Generic Character._
_Filamenta_ quaedam introrsum denticulo notata. _Silicula_ emarginata.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
ALYSSUM _saxatile_ caulibus frutescentibus paniculatis, foliis lanceolatis mollissimis repandis. _Linn. Syst. Veg, ed. 14. Murr.
p. 590._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 381._
ALYSSUM Cretic.u.m Saxatile, foliis undulatis incanis. _Tourn. cor. 15._
THLASPI luteum leucoji folio. _Bocc. muf. 79. t. 93._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 159]
As this plant has very generally obtained in gardens and nurseries the name of yellow Alyssum, we have retained it; for though it is not the only one of the genus which produces yellow flowers, it may still be called yellow by way of eminence, such is the extreme brilliancy and profusion of its blossoms.
It is a native of Crete, and was first cultivated in this country by Mr.
MILLER, in 1731[3], at Chelsea garden.
It begins to flower about the latter end of April, and continues to blossom through great part of May; and it is not uncommon for it to flower again in autumn.
If it has a pure air and a dry situation, it will grow in almost any soil.
The usual mode of propagating it is by slips, or cuttings. As it is a small, shewy, hardy plant, and not disposed to over-run others, it is very suitable to embellish rock-work.
[160]
PULMONARIA VIRGINICA. VIRGINIA LUNGWORT.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
_Corolla_ infundibuliformis fauce pervia. _Calyx_ prismatico-pentagonus.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
PULMONARIA _Virginica_ calycibus abbreviatis, foliis lanceolatis obtusiusculis. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14. Murr. p. 187._
PULMONARIA non maculosa, floribus tubulosis longis pulcherrimis caeruleis, in panicula pendula congestis, foliis teneribus glabris latis obtusis, ad margines aequalibus, pediculis dilute purpureis infidentibus, radice cra.s.sa instar symphyti. Mountain Cowslip.
_Clayt. Gron. Fl. Virg. p. 25._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 160]
MILLER informs us in his Dictionary, that the _Pulmonaria Virginica_ grows naturally upon mountains in most parts of North-America, that the seeds were sent many years since by Mr.
BANISTER, from Virginia; and some of the plants were raised in the garden of the Bishop of London, at Fulham, where for several years it was growing.
Though a native of Virginia, it ranks with the hardy herbaceous plants of our gardens, and flowers in the open border about the middle of April; the blossoms before their expansion are of a reddish purple colour, when fully blown they become of a light bright blue, the foliage is glaucous, or blueish green; it is said to vary with white and flesh-coloured flowers.
In favourable seasons, the Flower-Garden owes much of its gaiety to this elegant plant, and at a time when ornament is most desirable.
It requires a pure air, and a situation moderately sheltered, as the cold easterly winds which too readily prevail in April, when it is in flower, are apt to deface it.
It is usually propagated by parting its roots in autumn, and is a free grower.
[161]
AMYGDALUS NANA. DWARF ALMOND.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ 5-fidus, inferus. _Petala_ 5. Drupa nuce poris perforata.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
AMYGDALUS _nana_ foliis basi attenuatis. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14. Murr.
p. 162._ _Pallas. Ross. 1. p. 12. t. 6._
AMYGDALUS indica nana. _Pluk. alm. 28. t. 11. f. 3._
ARMENIACA persicae foliis, fructu exsucco. _Amm. Ruth. 273. t. 30._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 161]
The Dwarf Almond, a native of Russia and Tartary, is justly considered as one of our most ornamental shrubs; it rarely rises above the height of three feet, and hence becomes very suitable for the shrubbery of small extent. It flowers about the middle of April, somewhat later than the common Almond.
MILLER observes, that the roots are apt to put out suckers, by which the plant may be increased in plenty; and if those are not annually taken away, they will starve the old plant.
Cultivated in 1683, by Mr. JAMES SUTHERLAND. _Ait. Hort.
Kew._
