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entire lobes, imbricate at the base, and of a rich purple above.
Stameiis 5, equal, inclosed, inserted into the tube. Filaments
cylindrical, thickened and woolly below the middle. Anthers
cordate, blunt, composed of two distinct cells, connected by
a fleshy arrow-shaped connectivum. Ovarium globose, white,
bilocular. Style glabrous, filiform, shorter than the corolla.
Stigma large, capitate, green, slightly bilobed, the lobes
fleshy, revolute, and pruinose. Berry globose, depressed
and slightly angular above, bilocular, surrounded at the
base with the cloven fleshy persistent calyx. Dissepiment
thick and fleshy. Seeds reniform, attached to the fleshy
placentae.
This is an old inhabitant of our gardens, having been in troduced
from the Continent prior to the year 1712, hut of
its native country much uncertainty still prevails ; some will
liave it to be indigenous to Northern Africa, while others,
with Thiinberg, give the Cape of Good Hope as its native
country. The former opinion I am rather inclined to adopt,
as Thunberg’s description would seem to apply to a species
different from the present.
Although too tender to grow in the open border unprotected,
it will be found to succeed admirably well if planted
against a wall in a favourable aspect. The plant whence
our drawing was taken is placed against the wall ol the
Chelsea Botanic Garden, where it has stood for many years,
without any kind of protection, except what its situation
affords, and is annually adorned throughout the summer
months with a profusion of its rich purple blossoms.
It may be increased by seeds, and cuttings of it planted
in sand and placed in the shade will root readily.
The word Lycium (Xvklov) is the name of a thorny shrub
in Dioscorides, which was supposed by the late Dr. Sibthoip
to have been the Rhamnus infectorius, but which Mr. lioyle,
with greater probability, regards as identical with a species
of Berheris, which he has thence denominated B . Lycium.
The name was applied to the present genus merely on account
of its containing thorny shrubs. B . Don.
1. I.imb of tlie corolla laid open. 2. Tube of ditto laid open to sbew the
insertion of the stamens. 4. Berry. 5. Transverse section of ditto.
6. Seed.