Petals 4, inserted in the calyx, spreading. Stamens 8,
inserted in the calyx; filaments flat, smooth ; attached
to the anthers a little above their base ; anthers linear,
declining, with a sharp subulate spur at the back, just
above the filament. Style smooth, green, terminated
by a papillose capitate stigma.
This rare and handsome species is a native of North
America, growing, according to Pursh, in bogs, and
sandy woods, near waters, from New Jersey to
Carolina, and flowering in July and August; with us
it requires as warm a border as possible, and to be
planted in a bed of peat e a rth ; it will then thrive well,
and flower late in Autumn; if it is not planted in a
warm situation, it is a great chance if it flower at a ll;
and, certainly not, except it be a very warm season,
though the plant itself is quite hardy, enduring our
most severe Winters without any protection, and
attaining about a foot in height. Its time of flowering
with us, if in a favourable situation, is from the latter
end of August, till November, if the weather prove
mild. Our drawing of the present specimen, was
taken at the Nursery of Mr. Colvill, in October last.
We are inclined to think that more than one species
is, at present, confused under R. mariana, from the
disagreement of the descriptions of difierent Authors,
and the varieties that are enumerated ; we have never
seen the least variation iu our cultivated plants. The
best method of propagating it is by dividing it at the
ro o t; or young cuttings planted under a hand-glass in
peat soil, will strike root freely.
1. Calyx. 2. Petal. 3. Calyx spread open, showing the insertion of the
Stamens. 4. Stamen detached. 5. Anther detached from the filament, showing
the spur at the base. 6. Germen, Style, and Stigma.
* i it 0 M m