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cylindrical, smooth. Styles2, smooth, long and slender. Stigmas
simple points.
This very charming little plant is a native of Calabria,
and, according to Professor Gussone, is an annual; but from
what we have seen from the general appearance of the plant,
it has all the appearance of a perennial.
Our drawing was taken from a plant in the Botanic Garden,
at Chelsea, belonging to the Apothecaries’ Company,
where it was raised from seed last Spring, and it still continues
covered with flowers. Mr. Anderson has succeeded in
striking some young plants from cuttings, those put on all
the appearance of a perennial; we have, since our drawing
was made, also received fine specimens of it from the collection
of C. Barclay, Esq., of Bury Hill, where it was also
raised from seeds last Spring, and in whose garden we saw a
large spreading plant of it, the beginning of October la s t; it
was there much stronger than at the Chelsea Botanic Garden,
being planted in the border, Mr. Anderson’s plants being in
p o ts; should it prove perennial, it will be one of the most desirable
plants for rock-work; and if only an annual, it will
be one that ought to be in general cultivation. It succeeds
well in any rich light soil, and strikes readily from cuttings,
and appears likely to produce ripe seeds: it is certainly one
of the prettiest little plants that has been introduced for a
long tim e ; and if seeds are sown early in Spring, it will
flower abundantly the same season.
The generic name is derived from sapo, soap, whence the
English name of Soapwort: the leaves of S. officinalis are said
to lather the water when rubbed, like soap, and take out spots
of grease in the same manner.
1. Calyx. 2. The 5 Petals, each furnished with two small rigid scales at the base of the
limb, with a Stamen attached to the base of cacti. 3. The other 5 Slamens inserted in tlie
Receptacle. 4. Ovarium terminated by the two filiform Styles.