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tapering to a long slender point, clothed with a silky
pubescence, attached to the petioles at some distance
above the base. Racemes terminal, opposite to a leaf,
very handsome, elongated, on a shortish peduncle.
Peduncle clothed with a short close-pressed white pubescence.
Bractes at the base of the pedicles, longer
than the calyx before the flowers expand, but dropping
before their expansion, lanceolate, acute, the points a
little reflexed, clothed with a short pubescence, and
fringed with long soft hairs. Flowers small, but very
handsome, beautifully variegated with blue of various
shades and light purple, growing partly in whorls, and
jartly scattered. Pedicles short, nodding forward a
ittle, densely pubescent. Calyx without bractes at
its base, densely clothed with close-pressed silky h airs:
upper lip short, bifid; lower one longer, ovately lanceolate,
acute, keeled. Vexillum ovate, keeled at the back,
of a purple lilac above half way down, then becoming
blue on each side. Alee or wings oblong, obtuse, stuck
together at the points, ending in a short slender unguis
at the base, of a bright dark Mue somewhat tinged with
purple. Keel acute, a little longer than the wings, of
a bluish ash-colour, dark purple towards the point,
bearing a short unguis on each side at the base. Stamens
10, all joined in a tube, but distinct at the points, the
5 longest bearing small round anthers, and the 5 shortest
linear ones. Ovarium thickly clothed with silky white
hairs. Style smooth, ascending. Stigma capitate,
bearded.
The present beautiful, and, as far as we can decide, perfectly new
species, is a native of Mexico, from whence seeds o f it were received
by Robert Barclay, Esq. of Bury-bill, last year; they were sown
last Autumn; and we are informed by Mr. D . Cameron that it is a
frutescent species, and has already attained the height of two feet and
a half, by the side of a wall in the flower-garden, producing numerous
branches, that are covered with their elegant spikes of handsome
variegated flowers, which will be prpduoed the whole Summer;
the flowers themselves are not so large as some species, but their
number makes up that deflciency; the plant will most probably require
a little covering in MTnter, if the frost sets in severe, except
plantedm a very sheltered situation; a light rich soil suits it best,
and I t may be increased by young cuttings planted under hand-glasses,
or by seeds, which will no doubt be produced.
The generic name is said to be derived from lupus, a wolf, because
its roots devour the ground; it was also given by the ancients to a
kind of pulse, of bitter and harsh taste.
1. CiJyx. 2. VexUlum. 3. The 2 wings. 4. Keel. 5. The 10 Stamens connected
into a tube, but distinct at the points, the tube laid open, to show the 5
ramd and 5 linear anttiers. C. Ovarium, terminated by the Style and bearded