Part 12

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Spathæ bivalves.

COROLLA, sexpartita ringens. Petala oblonga, omnia unguibus in tubum conata.

STAMINA. Filamenta tria, subulata, divisuris alternis petalorum inserta. Antheræ oblongæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen inferum. Stylus simplex, longitudine staminium. Stigma trifidum, concavum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula oblonga, obtusa, trilocularis, trivalvis.

SEMINA plura, subrotunda.

EMPALEMENT Sheath two valves.

BLOSSOM, of six divisions, and gaping. Petals oblong, having their claws formed into a tube.

CHIVES. Three awl-shaped threads fixed into the alternate divisions of the petals. Tips oblong.

POINTAL. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft simple, the length of the chives. Summit cut into three, and concave.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule oblong, blunt-ended, three cells, three valves.

SEEDS many, nearly round.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus, foliis lanceolatis, tortis, rubro marginatis, pubescentibus; floribus roseis odoratissimis.

Gladiolus, with spear-shaped leaves, twisted, red-edged, and downy; blossoms rose colour, and sweet scented.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two Valves of the Sheath. 2. A Flower cut open, to expose the insertion of the Threads, the Threads, and Tips remaining attached. 3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit magnified. 4. A Seed natural size, inclosed in its Tunic.

This most beautiful species of Gladiolus, is but of very recent date in England; in the year 1795 it was seen first to blow here, in the collection of J. Ord, Esq. Purser’s-cross, Fulham; but has since, repeatedly, at the nursery, Hammersmith, from whence this figure was taken. Professor Jacquin has figured this plant, in his last Fasciculus; but, undoubtedly, from a dried specimen, as his figure gives no idea of the brilliancy of this delightful plant. The fragrance of its flowers, added to the singularity and beauty of its leaves, must place it in the foremost rank of its congeners. To preserve the bulb of this delicate Gladiolus, as soon as the stem begins to decay, it should be taken from the pot, and kept dry till October; when it should be replanted, and treated as other Cape bulbs. It increases by offsets, and flowers about the month of May, or June.

PLATE XII.

GERANIUM GRANDIFLORUM.

Largest flowered Crane’s-bill.

CLASS XVI. ORDER II.

MONODELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium pentaphyllum: foliolis ovatis, acutis, concavis, persistentibus.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, obcordata, seu ovata, patentia, magna.

STAMINA. Filamenta decem, subulata, corolla breviora. Antheræ oblongæ, versatiles.