Part 47

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Mimosa foliis simplicibus, utrinque venosis, linearibus, obtusis; ramis strictissimis; capituli geminati, oppositi, ex alis foliorum.

Mimosa with simple leaves, veiny on both sides, linear, and blunt ended; branches growing close and upright; flower heads grow by pairs, opposite, and at the insertion of the leaf into the stem.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Floret, (natural size). 2. The Empalement, (magnified). 3. The Blossom, (magnified). 4. One Thread and its Tip, (magnified). 5. The Pointal, (magnified).

This species of New Holland Mimosa, has as yet, escaped even the indefatigable, and accurate Dr. Smith; it is from Port Jackson, whence the seeds were transmitted by Colonel Paterson in the year 1793. Being easily raised, it is found in most collections; the seeds preserving their vegetative quality many years, and striking readily by cuttings. It has the peculiar character attached to the Mimosas of that country, viz. winged seed-leaves, which are lost after the first year’s growth. This species has no smell, and grows to the height of three or four feet before it flowers; perfectly straight and compact, from which circumstance we have taken its trivial name.

PLATE LIV.

ALETRIS SARMENTOSA.

Creeping-rooted Bastard Aloe.

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX, nullus.

COROLLA, monopetala, oblonga; limbi laciniis lanceolatis, acuminatis, erectis; persistens.

STAMINA. Filamenta sex, subulata, longitudine corollæ, inserta basi laciniarum corollæ. Antheræ oblongæ, erectæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen ovatum. Stylus subulatus, longitudine staminium. Stigma trifidum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula ovata, triquetra, acuminata, trilocularis.

SEMINA plurima.

EMPALEMENT, none.

BLOSSOM, one leaf, oblong; the segments of the border are lance-shaped, tapering, and upright; remaining.

CHIVES. Threads six, awl-shaped, the length of the blossom, and inserted into the divisions of it, at the base. Tips oblong, upright.

POINTAL. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft awl-shaped, the length of the chives. Summit three-cleft.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule egg-shaped, three-sided, tapered, and of three cells.

SEEDS many.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Aletris, acaulis; foliis ensiformibus, laxis; floribus spicatis, suave rubentibus; radicibus sarmentosis.

Bastard Aloe, without a stem; having sword-shaped, weak leaves; flowers grow in spikes of a soft red colour; roots producing suckers from the joints.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.