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1 If:, i i '. i . . point, deeply and irregularly serrated, fringed with short
hairs; the teeth very sharp. Racemes compact, generally
10 or 12-flowered. Pedicles flattish. Calyx of four sepals,
erect, equal at the base. Petals 4, obovate, with a long
slender unguis, bright light purple. Stamens 6, two shorter
than the others: Jilaments flattish, smooth. Style scarcely so
long as the stamens. Stigma capitate.
Our drawing of this beautiful and rare plant, was made
last Spring, from fine specimens sent us from the garden of
Robert Barclay, Esq. at Bury Hill, near Dorking, the only
collection in which we have seen it, for a length of tim e;
it there makes a splendid appearance, when flowering in
patches in the borders in May and June; no other flower
in the open borders at that time can exceed, or scarcely
rival it in beauty, and it deserves to be in general cultivation
; we know not the reason why it is at present so scarce,
as it appears to thrive and grow luxuriantly in Mr. Barclay’s
garden without the least c a re ; it increases slowly at the
root, but would without doubt ripen plenty of seeds, if a
little pains were taken with it when in bloom; it is a native
of various parts of the South of Europe, and varies with
white and purple flowers; the present variety appears to be
one of the finest coloured ones, and is therefore the most
valuable to be acquired. One species only, the D. bulbifera,
is a native of this country.
The generic name is derived from Dens, tooth, from the
scaly appendages at the root being in the form of teeth.
1. Calyx. 2. The four Petals. 3, The six Stamens, showing their unequal length.
4. Ovarium, terminated by the slender Style^ and small capitate Stigma.
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