The flower buds are more freely produced upon this variety, than
upon almost any other with wliich we are acquainted. They are of a
roundish oval form, and of a dull pale green colour, with b u t little
pubescence. A few of them occasionally have brownish-coloured scales,
resembling those of the Wai-atáli.
The flowers are large, and very regularly formed, measuring, when
fully expanded, upwards of three inches and a h alf in diameter. They
are of a deep, almost crimson red colour, exceeding in brilliancy th a t of
any of the Chinese Camellias, aud not surpassed in this respect b y any
in cultivation. The petals, though not very numerous, are comparatively
large, aud of a roundish form, a little divided at the extremity,
and incurved a t the edges. They are each about an inch and a h alf in
breadth, and seldom spread flat, b u t rise in distinct circles over one
above another. I'he whole are marked with dark-coloured veins.
Sometimes the flowers vary and ^sum e the character of the Waratáh,
as represented in Camellia Britannica, pi. 1, with the petals more or less
marked with white, in the manner of the double-striped; b u t its usual
appearance is like what we have shown in the annexed engraving.