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blunt, longer than the stamens. Stamens numerous, variable
in length. Carpells oblong, not tailed, nerves prominent,
striated. Stigma a simple little flat head.
Our drawing of those two varieties was made last Spring,
from two plants sent us by the kindness of our respected
friend, Mr. Leeds, of Manchester, to whom we are much
obliged for many presents which he has bestowed upon us,
in .sending us plants and specimens.
The present species is very distinct from any other of
the same genus, and probably should form a new one, but
as it is so nearly related to T. tuberosum, and Y..petaloideum,
which also bear coloured sepals, it is by those connected to
the other species, some others of which have their sepals
somewhat petaloid; it is therefore best to keep it in the
genus, where it is placed by Michaux and De Candolle,
because the seeds agree with that genus ; and that is always
the most decided character: the radical leaves were produced
at the same time as the flowers this Spring, so we
were supplied with them, and enabled to publish them,
which we could not till now, as they produced no radical
leaves last year, nor could we find any in Pursh’s Herbarium,
or any other that we examined : the single ones were produced
from the same plant, as the flowers; but we are obliged
to Mr. Low, of Clapton, for those on the double, the sings in
the wet weather having eat all ours up. Mr. Low’s plant
bore flowers 3 times the size of ours ; but that may be accounted
for, as his had only 2 or 3 flowers on a scape, and
ours has so many, and were not drawn when full grown,
but before, as may be seen by their greenness.
The present plants thrive best in a light sandy soil,
either peat, or that mixed with sandy loam ; in the last the
flowers appear to come larger, they require a shady situation :
we have read an account of an American collector, who
said they grew in sandy woods, all consisted of sand and
rotten wood and leaves, and that if you only pulled a single
leaf, the whole plant came up. Native of various parts of
North America.
The generic name is derived from S-aXXw, to flourish or
abound witb, or eO a X X e , abundantly produced, and X l k vo v
or XtKpog, the mystic name of Bacchus, a cradle ; on this was
laid; when born a child, to ensure future affluence; from the
amazing quantity of flowers produced by the Thalictrum’s.
1. s tam en . 2 . Carpella seated on the receptacle. 3. A single Carpel.
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