irP
diadelphous. Filaments vi\Ate, glabrous. Anthers orange, the
cells opening lengthways. Ovarium compressed, glabrous.
Stiqma compressed transversely, spathulate, pubescent along
the upper surface. Pods linear, acinaciform,_ compressed, glabrous,
about 3 inches long, each furnished with 8 or 10 seeds.
Few plants are more worthy of a place m the flower
c-arden than this lovely Lathyrus, not less on account ol its
iemarkable habit, than of the extreme beauty and delicacy
of its blossoms, which are produced abundantly during the
month of June. i p tt-
The plant was originally introduced by the cook ot tlis
Maiestv’s ship Centurion, c o m m a n d e d by Lord Anson, in
1744, and was cultivated by Miller, in the Apothecaries
Garden at Chelsea, but it appears to have perished shortly
afterwards, otherwise a species so highly ornamental could
not fail to have become generally cultivated. ^
Notwithstanding the imperfect description given by Miller
of his Pisum americanum, there can be no doubt of the identity
of his plant with the species before us. Lamarck s account
of the plant is likewise imperfect, from having been drawn
up wholly from dried specimens. Native specimens collected
at Port Desire, in the Straits of Magellan, by Sir
Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander, differ in no respect from the
cultivated ones, except in their smaller size. A nearly re lated
species, the L . sessilifolius of Hooker and Arnott, from
Chile, is distinguished by the two upper teeth oi its c a ljx
heine: longer and lanceolate. These together with our native
L . pratensis form a group, of which there are several species
from Chile and Buenos Ayres. .
Our drawing was taken from specimens communicated
by Messrs. Osborn, of the Fulham Nurseries, where the plant
was in great beauty in the beginning of June last, it having
stood the preceding winter trained to the front-wall ot one ot
the houses without sustaining any injury, although several
times studded with icicles. It is, like om Lathyrus maritimus,
a maritime plant, and therefore a little common salt administered
occasionally might act beneficially as a stimulant.
I t is increased by cuttings, as well as by seeds. The habit is
altogether peculiar, being suffruticose and evergreen, and
there is nothing like it in this tribe of Leguminosw
The generic name is already explained at tol.37. U .u o n .
1. Vexillum. 2, Wing. 3. Keel. 4. Organs of reproduction, 5. Pistil.