S P I R EL A salicifolia.
WilhM-leaved Spircea.
ICOSANDRIA Pentagynia.
G en. Ch a r. Cal. 5-cleft. Petals 5. Capsules superior,
of 2 valves, with many seeds.
Spec. Char. Leaves lanceolate, bluntish, serrated,
smooth. Clusters terminal, compound.
Syn. Spiraea salicifolia. Linn. Sp. PI. 700. Sm. FI.
Brit. 535. With. 463. Hull. 1 10. Pallas. Ross,
t. 2 1. Don. Herb.fasc. 2. 32.
S. Theophrasti forte. Ger. em. 1601.
T h i s pretty shrub, frequent in ornamented ground, seems
to be really a native of Britain; for besides the counties of
Westmoreland and Cumberland, where it is said on good authority
to grow, Mr. G. Don assures us that it is wild in
Scotland. It prefers moist shady situations among mountains,
and flowers in July.
The stems are numerous and shrubby, rising to the height
of 4 feet; their bark smooth, of a yellowish or tawny hue.
Leaves alternate, numerous, deciduous, oii short stalks, of a
broad lanceolate bluntish figure, unequally serrated, smooth
on both sides, veiny. Clusters of flowers terminal, erect,
dense, obtuse, compound, of many flowers, with linear solitary
bracteae interspersed. Calyx spreading, dark red, smooth.
Petals and stamina of an elegant rose colour, much longer
than the calyx. Germen depressed. Styles 5. Capsules 5,
brown, opening at their inner edge. Seeds many, small.