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hairs curved inwards. Calyx deeply 5-parted, persistent,
the segments narrowly lanceolate, acute, pubescent,
spreading. Corolla deeply 5-parted ; the segments lanceolate,
scarcely acute, reflexed, the points ascending,
of a darkish purple, smooth on both sides. Stamens 5,
alternate with the segments, winged on each side with
a membranaceous wing, close-pressed to the styles;
these can only be seen in a perfect state in a young
flower-bud before expansion, they are then quite distinct,
but afterwards become attached by their pollen
masses to the styles. Stamineous crown of 5 erect, hollow,
tubularly cuculiate leaflets, each producing a filiform
subulate horn on the inside, which is about the
length or rather longer than the tubular leaflets, the
points sharp and curved inwards. Ovaria 2, smooth.
Styles 2, smooth, distinct, about the length of the stamens,
crowned and connected by a large 5-sided fleshy
stigma.
This pretty plant is a native of North America, but when first introduced
to this country appears not to be ascertained, perhaps
about the same time as A . incarnata, a species with which it has
sometimes been confused, and of which it has by some been considered
only as a variety ; but it is certainly a very distinct species, as we
have seen hundreds o f them raised from seeds without any variation
in them, and none of them approaching in the least nearer to that
species : it makes a handsome stately perennial, attaining to the height
o f three or four feet in the common garden soil, and considerably
more if planted in peat, continuing to produce an abundance of its
curious purple flowers from July to the middle o f September; the
flowers o f several species of this natural order, have the singular faculty
of catching flies, which are attracted to the flowers for the sake
of the honey, which is produced in most of them in great abundance ;
and we have sometimes observed a few entrapped in the flowers of
the present species, but not so often as in some others.
A . incarnàta has a smooth shining stem, and smooth leaves tapering
to both ends, whereas the present is very hairy all over, and its leaves
rounded at the base, the lower ones being cordate. Our drawing was
taken from a plant at the Nursery of Messrs. Whitley, Brames, and
Milne, at Fulham ; we also received it from Mr. Colvill’s Nursery;
and from Messrs. Young’s, at Epsom. I t is readily increased by dividing
at the root, or by seeds ; the latter are produced in pods, imbedded
in cotton, as are those o f the whole genus.
Thè genus was named after AnSnmo;, (in Latin Aesculapius), a famous
Greek physician.
1, Calyx, showing the two Ovaiiums. 2. Corolla spread flatly open. 3. Sta-
mineoiis crown spread open, showing its tubular base, and the filiform horn in
each. 4. The 5 Stamens. 5. The 2 Ovaiiums terminated by two Styles, that are
crowned and connected by a large capitate, 5-sided, fleshy Stigma.
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