Part 61

SEED-VESSEL none. Receptacle forming a round head, and small.

SEEDS many, roundish, flattened, retaining the shaft, which is variously shaped.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Clematis foliis compositis decompositisque; foliolis quibusdam trifidis; floribus violaceis, coriaceis.

Virgin’s Bower, with compound and doubly compound leaves; some of the little leaves split into three; flowers blue, and tough.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Chives, and Pointals; the petals being removed. 2. The Pointals. 3. A Chive, (magnified). 4. A Pointal, (magnified). 5. A Seed nearly ripe, (natural size).

Doubts have been entertained, among some botanists, whether this plant is the Clematis viorna of Linnæus, as given by him, with various synonims, in his Sp. Plan. By collating the different specific characters from the synonims adopted by him, we have no hesitation in our decision. Being a native of Virginia and Carolina, it is not so hardy as some others from the northern parts of Europe or America; but, nevertheless, is not killed by our winters, as it is herbaceous, and not making its shoots till late. In a warm situation against a wall or trellis, it will begin to blossom in July, and continue to flower till destroyed by the frost. As yet it is rather scarce in our gardens, being but of a late introduction, though long known by description. Our figure was taken at the Hammersmith nursery, where it is in high perfection, being planted in a mixture of loam and peat earth: it is most readily increased, by parting the roots in spring; as the seeds seldom come to maturity in this climate.

PLATE LXXII.

STYPHELIA TRIFLORA.

Three-flowered Styphelia.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

PERIANTHIUM. Calyx imbricatus, persistens; foliolis interioribus longioribus, acutis, erectis.

COROLLA tubulosa, quinquefida; laciniis revolutis, hirsutis.

Nectarium membranaceum, lacerum, germen cingens.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, tubo inserta. Antheræ apice bifidæ, versatiles.

PISTILLUM. Germen globosum, sulcatum, nectario cinctum. Stylus capillaris. Stigma capitatum, quinquepartitum.

PERICARPIUM. Drupa quinquelocularis, subrotunda, glabra.

SEMINA, bina.

EMPALEMENT. Cup tiled, and remaining; the inner leaves the longest, sharp-pointed, and upright.

BLOSSOM tubular, five-cleft; the segments rolled back, and hairy.

Honey-cup skinny, torn, and surrounding the seed-bud.

CHIVES. Five threads, fixed into the tube of the blossom. Tips split at the top, and loosely fixed by the middle to the threads.

POINTAL. Seed-bud globular, furrowed, encircled by the honey-cup. Shaft hair-like. Summit headed, and of five divisions.

SEED-VESSEL. A pulpy fruit with five cells, roundish, and smooth.

SEEDS, two together.