2 4 .
CAMELLIA JAPONICA PUNCTATA.
Dotted-flowe red Camellia.
Camellia Ja pónica P u n c ta ta . B o ta n ic a l R e g is te r , ta b . 1267.
G ra y 's Inv in c ib le Camellia o f th e G a rd e n s .
W E were favoured, in March 1827, with an opportunity of describing
this highly-prized Camellia, and four others, raised by Mr. Press,
gardener to Edward Gray, Esq. Harringay House, Hornsey. Shortly
afterwards they were made known to the public, by a flower of each oí'
them being exhibited at a m eeting of the Horticultural Society, and by
a b rie f description which was subsequently published in the Gardener’s
Magazine, vol. 2. p. 358, where the variety now before us is mentioned
as being the finest of all Camellias. A figure of it was given last year
in th e Botanical Register above quoted, to accompany which, we had
the pleasure of ftirnishing the following account, a t the request of the
very respectable Ed ito r of th a t work.
I t was raised in 1824, from seed of the semi-double red, impregnated
with the pollen of the single w h ite ; to the la tter of whicli it has
considerable resemblance, both in its growth and habit.
The leaves are thick, smooth, and of a dark shining green colour,
usually about three inches and a h alf long, and two inches broad, convex,
and nearly oval, with moderately large serratures, and a sharp,
recurved point. They are seldom undulated, like the leaves of the single
white, b u t have similar prominent veins, and a strong pale green midrib.
Footstalks nearly an inch long, a little flattened above, otherwise quite
round, and of the same colour as the midrib and veins.
Flower buds large, nearly oval, with seven or eight concave, densely
pubescent, green scales, slightly tinged with yellow and pale red at
their edges.
The flowers, when fully expanded, v aiy from three to four inches in
diameter, and are of a very delicate blush colour, almost w h ite ; striped