hairs: limb 5-cleft, the lacinim unequal, very hairy, two of
them more than double the length of the others. Florets
larue, tubular, 5-toothed, very woolly outside, contracted
from about the middle to the base, the teeth erect, ovate,
acute. Stamens 5, inserted in the tube about the middle,
where it begins to become inflated: Jilaments smooth, distinct
: anthers united into a tube, each bearing two short
teeth at the base. Akenia or seed enclosed in the tubular
Involucre, compressed, terminated by a short crown, that is
fringed with short hairs.
Our drawing of this stately growing plant was made from
specimens in June last, received from A. B. Lambert, Esq.,
in whose collection, at Boyton, it has flowered this Summer
for the second time. Mr. Lambert received the seeds from
Mexico, sent by Cervantes under the name that we have
adopted, and it has since been published by Llave and Lexarza
in a work on several new genera and species of Mexican
plants. In Mr. Lambert’s garden it is planted out by the
side of a wall in a southern aspect, where it grows freely to
the height of 10 or 1-2 feet, and produces its flowers, dying
back a good way in Winter, and making fresh wood for the
following year; the flowers are not very splendid, but they
are pretty and singular, and very sweet-scented, which makes
it a desirable plant. It will thrive well in any rich light soil,
and young cuttings, planted under hand-glasses, or even in
a shady border, and well watered, will soon strike root.
Mr. Lambert also possesses plants of N. rubra, and some
other species.
1 One o f the Bractes at the base o f the flowers. 2. Tabular Involucre, that
encloses the seed. 3. Floret. 4. The same spread open, to show the veins alternating
with the teeth. 5. The upper part of the tube taken oflF, to show the ins^-
tion of the Stamens, the filaments distinct, and the anthers united. 0. Seed,
terminated by the Style and Stigma.