entire. Stipules large, ovate, acute, attached to the base of
the petioles. Peduncles a little flattened, tinged with purple,
and villous. Calyx 5-parted, villous, with 5 bractes attached
to it a little above the base. Bractes lanceolate, acute,
strongly 3-nerved. Segments o f the calyx ovate, acute, spreading,
shorter than the bractes, connivent after the flower is
overblown. Petals 5, obcordate, a lit% longer than the
calyx, pale yellow tinged with red, and light red at the base,
slender at the base, so as for the calyx to show through.
Stamens 20, inserted in the base of the calyx and surrounding
the carpella : Jilaments smooth, short, light red : anthers two-
lobed, bursting by the sides ; pollen j&Waw. Carpella numerous,
smooth and glossy, inserted in a villous receptacle.
Style smooth, purple. Stigma a small blunt point.
The present subject is of hybrid origin, having been produced
from the seed of V.formosa, that had been fertilized
by the pollen of P. opaca ; it was first raised at the Nursery of
Mr. Mackay, where the present drawingwas made; the habit
of the plant partakes chiefly of the female parent, but the
colour of the flowers, except the faint red mark in the centre,
is that of the other; it is rather singular that the colours are
not more mixed, as in P . Russelliana, where they are quite
intermediate between the two, the dark crimson and rose
colour, producing a brilliant scarlet or blood colour. The
present plant is desirable on account of its abundant flowering,
which continues nearly all the Summer and till late in
Autumn ; it may be grown either in the open border, or in
rock-work, in the common garden soil, and is readily increased
by dividing at the root.
Potentilla was a name given to this genus, on account of
its powerful strengthening qualities, chiefly ascribed to
P. reptans, which is still much in use amongst the country
people in some of the western counties.
1. Calyx, surrounded by the five bractes, which are longer than the segmeiite of the
calyx. 2. The twenty Stamens spread out to show their unequal lengths. 3. Head ot
young Carpella divested of the other parts, showing its form, and the termination ot th e
Styles. 4. A single one taken from the head.
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