red balls, of a globular form, and pointed. Calyx of a rich
crimson, with ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, segments, thrice
the length of the cylindrical tube, which in this variety is
unusually short. Petals broad and rounded, with a very
short and contracted claw, convolute, of a purple lilac, twice
shorter than the calyx. Filaments slender, red and glabrous.
Anthers rounded-oval, incumbent, of a pale rose colour.
Ovarium oblong, cylindrical, green. Style filiform, glabrous,
thicker and longer than the filaments. Stigma thick and pyramidal,
crimson, lobed at the top, the surface irregular and
minutely tuberculate.
This is a garden production, having, we believe, been first
raised by Mr. Bunney, from seeds of F. cónica. It far exceeds
in beauty any of the numerous other varieties of thisextremely
variable species; its dwarf, spreading habit, with the branches
less encumbered by foliage, advantageously displays its
numerous elegant, and brilliant-coloured blossoms, which
are produced successively from March to December. The
plant succeeds very well in the open border during the Summer
and Autumn, thrives in any light loamy soil, and is
easily increased by cuttings.
The proneness to variation evident in this, as well as in
the species of many other genera of South American plants,
has convinced me that F. gracilis and cónica are not entitled
to be regarded in any other light than as mere varieties of
F. macrostema. The F. graci/ii is stated to have been introduced
from Mexico; but, if really so, it must have been
from some garden, for we believe there is no species with
projecting stamina found in the northern hemisphere. The
plant collected by Captain King in the Straits of Magellan
belongs also p the present species, and is evidently the
Thilco of Feuillée. I have seen no native specimen of F. coccínea
of the gardens, which, hoWever, is certainly distinct,
and is most probably from some part of the Straits not
lately explored by any botanist.
Our drawing was taken at Mr. Dennis’s Nursery, in August
last.
The generic name is already explained at fol. 16. D.Don.
II
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1. P e ta l. 2. Pistil.