_Recept._ nudum. _Pappus_ simplex. _Cor._ radii plures 10. _Cal._ imbricati squamae inferiores patulae.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
ASTER _alpinus_ foliis subspathulatis hirtis integerrimis, caulibus simplicibus unifloris. _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 198._
ASTER _alpinus_ foliis spatulatis hirtis: radicalibus obtusis, caule simplicissimo unifloro. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p. 761._ _Jacq.
Fl. Austr. V. 1. t. 88._
ASTER monta.n.u.s caeruleus, magno flore, foliis oblongis. _Bauh. Pin.
p. 267._
CLUSIUS and JACQUIN, by both of whom this species of Aster is figured and described, inform us, that it grows spontaneously on the Austrian Alps: of the many hardy herbaceous species cultivated in our garden, this is by far the most humble in is growth; in its wild state acquiring the height of about four inches, and when cultivated, rarely exceeding eight or nine: its blossoms for its size are large and shewy, making their appearance much earlier than any of the others, viz. about the end of May and beginning of June, and continuing in blossom three weeks or a month.
It is readily propagated by parting its roots in the autumn, may be kept in pots, or planted in the open border, prefers a moist stiffish soil; if carefully watered in dry weather, will grow among rock-work, for which, from its size, it is well adapted.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
[200]
ANTIRRHINUM SPARTEUM. BRANCHING TOAD-FLAX.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Cor._ basis deorsum prominens nectarifera.
_Caps._ 2-locularis.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
ANTIRRHINUM _sparteum_ foliis subulatis ca.n.a.liculatis carnosis: inferioribus ternis, caule paniculato corollisque glaberrimis.
_Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 555._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. 2. p.
333._
The drawing here exhibited gives but a faint idea of the elegant and lively appearance which this plant a.s.sumes when it grows in a tuft, and a number of its branches are in blossom at the same time.
It is a hardy annual, of small stature, a native of Spain, and flowers during most of the summer.
Was introduced into this country, according to Mr. AITON, in 1772, by Mons. RICHARD, and deserves to be much more generally cultivated.
Some regard it as a biennial, but as seeds of it sown in the spring flower the ensuing summer, and as the plant dies when it has ripened its seeds, there appears more propriety in considering it as an annual.
It is to be sown in the same manner as other hardy annuals; will flower earlier if the seeds have been raised in autumn.
The upper part of the stalk, as well as the leaves of the calyx, are beset with viscous hairs, in which respect it does not perfectly accord with LINNaeUS"s description. _Vid. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 854._
[Ill.u.s.tration]
[Ill.u.s.tration]
[201]
PELARGONIUM BICOLOR. TWO-COLOURED CRANE"S-BILL.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
MONADELPHIA HEPTANDRIA.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ 5-part.i.tus: lacinia suprema desinente in tubulum capillarem, nectariferum, secus pedunculum decurrentem. _Cor._ 5-petala, irregularis. _Filam._ 10, inaequalia: quorum 3 (raro 5) castrata.
_Fructus_ 5-coccus, rostratus: _rostra_ spiralia, introrsum barbata.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
PELARGONIUM _bicolor_ umbellis multifloris, foliis ternatifidis lobatis dentatis undulatis villosis. _L"Herit. n. 64._ _Ait. Hort.
Kew. v. 2. p. 425._
GERANIUM bicolor. _Jacq. Hort. 3. p. 23. t. 39._ _Cavan. diss. 4.
p. 248. t. 111. f. 1._
In every numerous tribe of plants, many of the species approach so near to each other, that there is much difficulty in distinguishing them; this objection cannot be urged against the present plant, which obviously differs from all the others of the same genus in the particular shape of its leaves and the colour of its blossoms, the latter are usually of a rich and very dark purple edged with white, from whence we apprehend it takes its name of _bicolor_; the colours however are scarcely distinct enough to justify such a name.
Mr. AITON informs us in his _Hort. Kew._ that this very ornamental species was introduced in the year 1778, by JOHN, the late Earl of BUTE, but of what country it is a native, does not appear to be ascertained.
Our drawing was made from a plant in the collection of Messrs. GRIMWOOD and Co. Kensington, with whom it flowers from June to August.
It is not disposed to ripen its seeds, nor is it very readily increased by cuttings.
[202]
LUPINUS PERENNIS. PERENNIAL LUPINE.
_Cla.s.s and Order._