The Botanical Magazine, Vol. 3 | Page 4

We have learned by experience, that a very wet soil will prove fatal to
these shrubs.

[82]
LACHENALIA TRICOLOR. THREE-COLOURED LACHENALIA.
Class and Order.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Generic Character.

Calyx subtriphyllus, inferus, coloratus. Corolla 3-petala, receptaculo
inferta. Jacquin jun. in act. helv. vol. 9.
Specific Character and Synonyms.
LACHENALIA tricolor. Lin. Syst, Vegetab. ed. 14. p. 314. _Jacq. Icon.
pl. rarior, t. 3._
PHORMIUM Aloides. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. p. 336. Suppl. 205.
[Illustration: No 82]
To Mr. LEE, of the Vineyard, Hammersmith, the first, and as we
understand, the only Nurseryman as yet in possession of this plant,
which has but lately been introduced into this country from the Cape,
we are indebted for the present specimen.
Mr. JACQUIN, jun. who has figured and described it in the _Acta
Helvetica, gives it the name of Lachenalia_, in honour of WARNERUS
de la CHENAL, a very eminent Swiss Botanist, and the particular
friend of the late illustrious HALLER. Our readers should be informed,
that it had before been called by two other different names, viz.
Hyacinthus orchiodes, and Phormium aloides, under the latter of which
it now stands in the 14th edition of the Systema Vegetabilium, as well
as that of Lachenalia.
Its trivial name of tricolor it receives from the three colours observable
in the flowers; but it must be noticed, that it is only at the middle period
of its flowering, that these three colours are highly distinguishable; as it
advances, the brilliant orange of the top flowers dies away; the spots on
the leaves also, which when the plant is young, give it the appearance
of an orchis, as it advances into bloom become less and less
conspicuous.
Like most of the Cape plants, the Lachenalia requires to be sheltered in
the winter; during that season it must therefore be kept in a greenhouse,
or hot-bed frame, well secured.

It flowers in the spring, but its blowing may be accelerated by the
warmth of the stove, for it bears forcing well enough.
It is increased by offsets from the bulbs.

[83]
HIBISCUS SYRIACUS. SYRIAN HIBISCUS; commonly called
ALTHÆA FRUTEX.
Class and Order.
MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA.
Generic Character.
Calyx duplex, exterior polyphyllus. Capsula 5-locularis, polysperma.
Specific Character and Synonyms.
HIBISCUS syriacus foliis cuneiformi ovatis superne incise-serratis,
caule arboreo. Lin. Syst. Veg. p. 630.
ALCEA arborescens syriaca. Bauh. Pin. p. 316.
ALTHÆA frutex flore albo vel purpureo. Park. Par. p. 369.
[Illustration: No 83]
The Hibiscus syriacus, known generally by the name of Althæa frutex,
is a native of Syria, and forms one of the chief ornaments of our
gardens in autumn; we view it, however, with less delight, as it is a sure
indication of approaching winter.
There are many varieties of it mentioned by authors, as the _purple,
red-flowered, white-flowered, variegated red and white flowered_, and
the striped-flowered, to which may be added, another variety, lately
introduced, with double flowers: it varies also in its foliage, which is

sometimes marked with white, sometimes with yellow.
As from the lateness of its flowering, and the want of sufficient warmth,
it rarely ripens its seeds with us; the usual mode of increasing it is by
layers, and sometimes by cuttings; but the best plants are raised from
seeds. MILLER observes, that the scarce varieties may be propagated
by grafting them on each other, which is the common method of
propagating the sorts with striped leaves.
In the time of PARKINSON it was not looked on as a hardy shrub: he
thus writes,--"they are somewhat tender, and would not be suffered to
be uncovered in the winter time, or yet abroad in the garden, but kept in
a large pot or tubbe, in the house or in a warme cellar, if you would
have them to thrive." Park. Parad.

[84]
TUSSILAGO ALPINA. ALPINE COLTSFOOT.
Class and Order.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA.
Generic Character.
Receptaculum nudum. Pappus simplex. Cal. squamæ æquales, discum
æquantes, submembranaceæ.
Specific Character and Synonyms.
TUSSILAGO alpina scapo unifloro subnudo, foliis cordato orbiculatis
crenatis utrinque virentibus. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 755.
TUSSILAGO alpina rotundifolia glabra. Bauh. Pin. 197.
[Illustration: No 84]

This species, a native of the Alps, of Switzerland, and Austria, is
frequently kept in gardens for the sake of variety; like the rest of the
genus, it flowers early in the spring, in March and April; is a very hardy
perennial, increases most readily in a moist shady situation, is usually
kept in pots for the convenience of sheltering it in very severe seasons;
but it will grow readily enough in the open border. All plants that
flower early, though ever so hardy, require some kind of shelter,
previous to, and during their flowering.
Is propagated by parting its roots in autumn.

[85]
SPARTIUM JUNGEUM. SPANISH BROOM.
Class and Order.
DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.
Generic Character.
Stigma longitudinale, supra villosum. Filamenta