[141]

HELIOTROPIUM PERUVIANUM. PERUVIAN TURNSOLE.

_Cla.s.s and Order._

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ hypocrateriformis, 5-fida, interjectis dentibus: fauce clausa fornicibus.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

HELIOTROPIUM _peruvianum_ foliis lanceolato-ovatis, caule fruticoso, spicis numerosis aggregato-corymbosis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p.

184._

HELIOTROPIUM foliis ovato-lanceolatis, spicis plurimis; confertis, caule fruticoso. _Mill. Dict. ed. 6. 4to. Icon. t. 143._

[Ill.u.s.tration: No 141]

This plant recommends itself by its fragrance rather than its beauty, so delicious indeed is the odour it diffuses, that it is considered as essential to every green-house and stove.

"It grows naturally in Peru, from whence the seeds were sent by the younger Jussieu to the royal garden at Paris, where the plants produced flowers and seeds; and from the curious garden of the Duke d'Ayen, at St. Germain's, I was supplied with some of the seeds, which have succeeded, in the Chelsea garden, where the plants have flowered and perfected their seeds for some years." _Miller's Gard. Dict._

You may consider it either as a stove or a green-house plant, the former is more congenial to it in the winter season.

A pure atmosphere is essential to its existence, as I experienced at Lambeth-Marsh, where I in vain endeavoured to cultivate it.

It is propagated by cuttings as easily as any Geranium, and requires a similar treatment; in hot weather it must be well supplied with water, and in winter carefully guarded against frost, so fatal to most of the natives of Peru.

[142]

SCORZONERA TINGITANA. TANGIER SCORZONERA, or POPPY-LEAV'D VIPERS GRa.s.s.

_Cla.s.s and Order._

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA aeQUALIS.

_Generic Character._

_Receptaculum_ nudum. _Pappus_ plumosus. _Calyx_ imbricatus, squamis margine scariosis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

SCORZONERA _tingitana_ foliis omnibus runcinatis amplexicaulibus. _Linn.

Syst. Veg. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 711._

SONCHUS tingita.n.u.s papaveris folio _Raii Suppl. 137._

CHONDRILLA tingitana, floribus luteis papaveris hortensis folio. _Herm.

lugdb. 657. t. 659._

[Ill.u.s.tration: No 142]

I am indebted for seeds of this plant to my very worthy and liberal friend NICH. GWYN, M. D. of Ipswich, to whose penetrating genius, and learned researches, Botany owes much.

As its name implies, it is a native of the province of Tangier, on the Barbary coast; appears to have been cultivated here, according to the _Hort. Kew._ in 1713, but is not mentioned in the 6th 4to. edit. of MILLER's Dictionary.

It may be considered as forming a valuable addition to our stock of annuals, being a beautiful plant, and easily cultivated: it thrives best on a moderately dry soil, warmly situated: should be sown in the spring with other annuals.

I have observed, that in the middle of summer, a hot unclouded sun, which is favourable to the expansion of most of the flowers of this cla.s.s, is too powerful for those of the present plant, which then appear to the greatest advantage in warm hazy weather.

[143]

PELARGONIUM GLUTINOSUM. CLAMMY CRANE'S BILL.

_Cla.s.s and Order._

MONADELPHIA HEPTANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Calyx_ 5-part.i.tus: lacinia suprema definente in tubulum capillare nectariferum fecus pedunculum decurrentem. _Corolla_ pentapetala, irregularis. _Filamenta_ 10 inaequalia, quorum 3 raro 5 castrata.

_Fructus_ pentacoccus, rostratus, rostra spiralia introrsum barbata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

PELARGONIUM _glutinosum_ umbellis paucifloris foliis cordatis hastato-quinquangulis viscosis. _L'Herit. Ger. Ait. Hort. Kew. v.

2. p. 426._

GERANIUM _glutinosum_. _Jacq. ic. collect. 1. p. 85._

GERANIUM _viscosum_. _Cavanill. Diss. 4. p. 246. t. 108. f. 2._

[Ill.u.s.tration: No 143]

The leaves of this species exhibit, on being touched, a manifest viscidity, or clamminess, which, independent of their shape, serves to characterize the species; the middle of the leaf is also in general stained with purple, which adds considerably to its beauty; but this must be regarded rather as the mark of a variety, than of the species.

With most of its congeners, it is a native of the Cape, and of modern date in this country, being introduced to the royal garden at Kew, by Messrs. KENNEDY and LEE, in the year 1777.

It flowers from May to September; is readily propagated by cuttings, and sometimes raised from seeds, from whence several varieties have been produced.