i;? i
i
I ;
bearded at the points. Flowers terminal, white, in a
close crowded head. Involucre of 2 broadly ovate
sessile leaves, which are strongly and numerously
nerved underneath. Calyx superior, 6 to 8 parted,
segments radiately spreading, broadly lanceolate,
acute, fringed. Corolla funnel-form, limb 6-parted,
the segments equal, radiately spreading. Stamens 6,
inserted in the tube, and exserted beyond the mouth ;
filaments stout, smooth; anthers incumbent; pollen
white, granular. Style about the length of the stamens,
smooth, 3-cleft at the point. Stigmas 3, oblongly
capitate, rough. Capsule 3-coccus, or 3 joined together,
each producing one seed, and crowned with the
persistent calyx.
This curious annual plant is a native of South America,
and was raised last Summer at the Nursery of
Mr. Colvill, from seeds received from Germany. It succeeds
well in a warm border of rich light earth, where
it should be sown about the middle of April, if the
weather prove favourable; the plants will then have
time to flower, and ripen their seeds; if sown later,
there will not be so good a chance of the seed ripening.
It seldom exceeds 6 inches in height, but spreads its
branches to a considerable distance; so that the
young plants should not be allowed to grow too close
together, as they will injure each other, and will not
thrive so well.
Our drawing was made at the Nursery of Mr. Colvill,
in August last.
1. Capsule, crowned with the persistent Calyx. 2. Corolla spread open, to
show the insertion of the Stamens. 3. Style cleft in three at the point, and
terminated by 3 oblongly capitate Stigmas.