Calyx glaucous, 5-partite, the segments ovate, acute, coriaceous,
glabrous, the edges blunt and recurved. Corolla
large, bell-shaped, nearly half an inch long, pure white,
with 5, very short, broad, serni-ovate, acute, revolute lobes.
Stamens 10, inclosed. Filaments short, white, compressed,
finely pubescent, with a broad, thickened, hemispherical
base. Anthers longer than the filaments, pale brown, the
cells parallel, tubular at the apex, which is oblique, and
prolonged outwardly into a biaristate appendage. Ovarium
globose, glaucous green, surrounded at the base by a 10-lobed,
cup-shaped disk, 5-celled. Style double the length of the
ovarium, straight, slightly hairy, marked with 5 furrows.
Stigma simple, obtuse, undivided.
An evergreen shrub, of very great beauty, native of
swamps and boggy grounds in both Carolinas. It was originally
discovered on the banks of Clarendon River in North
Carolina by Bartram, who has given a figure of the plant,
in his amusing and instructive travels, under the name of
Andromeda pulverulenta. It was introduced to our collections
by Messrs. Fraser about 1800, and the plant has now become
a"favourite ornament of the flower garden. Two varieties
are met with in cultivation, differing a little in the outline
of their leaves, and in the absence or presence of the white
bloom with which they are frequently covered. We are
satisfied however that these marks are too unimportant to
separate as distinct species two plants which are found to
agree in every other respect.
Both varieties are readily propagated by layers. They
should be grown in a soil composed of sandy peat, with the
addition of about a fifth part of loam, and the plants should
be plentifully supplied with water during the summer, especially
if the season and situation happen to be dry.
Our drawing was obtained from the collection of Messrs.
Whitley and Osborn at Fnlham in June last.
This genus, forming part of the group of Andromedece, \iB.s,
been dedicated to the illustrious Queen of Palmyra, alike
celebrated for her virtues, learning, and misfortunes. D .Don.
1. Stamen. 2. Pistil.