This plant receives its generic name from CLAUDIUS ALSTROEMER (son of Sir JONAS ALSTROEMER, a most respectable Swedish Merchant) who first found the other most beautiful species the _Pelegrina_ in Spain, whither it had been transmitted from Peru; its trivial name _Ligtu_ is a provincial one.
According to FEWILLEE, who has written on the plants of Peru, this species is found on the banks of the rivers in Chili: we treat it, and successfully, as a stove plant; its flowers, which usually make their appearance in February and March, emit a fragrance scarcely inferior to Mignonet; its leaves, contrary to most others, grow inverted, which is effected by a twist of the footstalk, and afford an excellent example of LINNaeUS"s _Folium resupinatum_; the filaments, after the pollen is discharged, turn upwards, and the antherae become almost globular.
It is usually propagated by parting its roots in Autumn.
Our figure was drawn from a plant which flowered extremely well in the stove of Messrs. GRIMWOOD and Co. Kensington.
[126]
ALYSSUM DELTOIDEUM. PURPLE ALYSSUM.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
TETRADYNAMIA SILICULOSA.
_Generic Character._
_Filamenta_ quaedam introrsum denticulo notata. _Silicula_ emarginata.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
ALYSSUM _deltoideum_ caulibus suffrutescentibus prostratis, foliis lanceolato-deltoidibus, siliculis hirtis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p.
591._ _Sp. Pl. 908._
LEUCOJUM saxatile thymifolio hirsutum caeruleo-purpureum. _Bauh. Pin.
201._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 126]
Plants which flower early, and continue a long while in bloom, are deservedly preferred, more especially by those who content themselves with a partial collection; of that number is the present species of Alyssum, which begins to flower in March, and continues to blossom through April, May, and June, and, if favourably situated, during most of the summer.
It is properly a rock plant, being hardy, forming with very little care a neat tuft of flowers, and not apt to encroach on its neighbours.
May be propagated by parting its roots in Autumn, or by cuttings.
Is a native of the Levant, according to Mr. AITON; and cultivated by Mr. MILLER, in 1739, but omitted in the 6th 4to.
edition of his Dictionary: has usually been considered by the Nurserymen about London as the _hyperboreum_.
[127]
IXIA FLEXUOSA. BENDING-STALK"D IXIA.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
_Cor._ 6-part.i.ta, campanulata, regularis. _Stigmata_ 3.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
IXIA _flexuosa_ foliis linearibus, racemo flexuoso multifloro. _Linn.
Sp. Pl. p. 51._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 58._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 127]
The Ixias are a numerous tribe, chiefly natives of the Cape, and in general remarkable either for their delicacy, or brilliant colours.
The one here figured appears to be a variety of the _flexuosa_ with a purple eye, its blossoms are fragrant, and come forth in April or May.
"All the sorts multiply very fast by offsets, so that when once obtained, there will be no occasion to raise them from seeds: for the roots put out offsets in great plenty, most of which will flower the following season, whereas those from seeds are three or four years before they flower. These plants will not thrive through the winter in the full ground in England, so must be planted in pots, and placed under a frame in winter, where they may be protected from frost, but in mild weather should enjoy the free air; but they must be guarded from mice, who are very fond of these roots, and if not prevented will devour them." _Millers Gard. Dict._
[128]
SCILLA CAMPANULATA.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
_Cor._ 6-petala, patens, decidua. _Filamenta_ filiformia.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
SCILLA _campanulata_ bulbo folido, racemo multifloro oblongo-subconico, corollis campanulatis erectis, bracteis bipart.i.tis, pedunculo longioribus, foliis lanceolatis. _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 444._
HYACINTHUS Hispanicus major flore campanulae instar.
The greater Spanish bell-flowred Jacinth. _Park. Par. 123._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 128]
There are few old gardens which do not abound with this plant; it bears great affinity to our Hare-bell, with which it appears to have been confounded by most Botanists. _Parkinson_ thus discriminates it: "This Spanish bell-flowred Jacinth is very like the former English or Spanish Jacinth, but greater in all parts, as well of leaves as flowers, many growing together at the toppe of the stalke; with many short greene leaves among them, hanging doune their heads with larger, greater, and wider open mouths, like unto bels of a darke blew colour, and no good sent." _Park. Parad._
Though not remarkable for the fineness of its colours, or pleasing from its fragrance, it contributes with other bulbous plants to decorate the flower border or plantation in the spring, when flowers are most wanted.
It is very hardy, and increases abundantly by offsets; its seeds also ripen well.