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P L A T E CCCCLIV.
U R T I C A BACCIFERA.
Berrij-hearing Nettle.
C L A S S XXL ORDER IV.
M0NQLCL4 TETRANDRIA. Ch i v e s and Pointals separate. Four Chives,
GENERIC CHARACTER.
floris
* Mascidi Jlorcs.
CALYX. Peviantliium tetraphyllum.
C O R O L L A nulla. Nectarium in centro
cyathiforrae.
S T A M I N A . Filamenta quatuor, subulata, longitudine
calycis.
* Feminn Jiorss vel in eadem vel distincta planta.
CALYX. Perianthimn bivalve, persistans.
COROLLA nulla.
PisTiLLUM. Germen ovatum. Stylus pullus.
Stigma villosum.
P E K I C A K P I U M nullum.
S E M E N unicum.
* Male flowers.
E M P A L E M E N T four-leaved.
BLOSSOM none. Honey-ciíp is formed in the
centre of the flower, like a small cup.
CHIVES, Filaments four, awl-shaped, and the
length of the cup.
* Female flowers in the same, or in separate plants.
EMPALEMENT. Cup two-ralved, and remaining.
BLOSSOM none.
P O I N T A L . Seed-bud ovate. Shaft none. Summit
hairy.
S E E D - V E S S E L none.
S E E D one.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
X^KTICA baccifera, foliis álternis, cordatis, dentatis,
aculéis tectis : calyces fceminei, baccati,
alternatim in ramos longos divaricatos
positi, dependentes, laete rubri, et aculéis
tecti : caulis aculéis magnis tectus.
B E E K Y - B E A R I K G NETTLE with leaves alternate,
heart-shaped, toothed, and covered with
prickles : empalement female, having berries,
and alternately situated upon long
straggling branches, hanging down, of a
bright red colour, and covered with prickles :
stem covered with large prickles.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A flower magnified.
,2. The same with the summit detached, magnified.
T H I S plant is most completely armed in all directions, and known by the appellation of the Hornd
Nettle. The fierceness of its exterior evinces grandeur, and the bright red flower-stems combine
some share of beauty: and notwithstanding its ferocious aspect, the Common Wild Hedge
N e t t l e s u f f e r s a l i g h t approach with less impunity than this terrific plant; thus proving the old axiom
of an open ent ^y, however powerful, being less injurious than a pretended friend, ^.4iose insidious
character, like the Hedge Nettle, unheeded stings. In the Hortus Schccnbrannensis of Jacqmn it is
described and figured, and also in the Icones of Plumier, p. 259, tab. 260 who gives it the additional
specific of arborescens : and there is but little doubt of its forming a tree-like appearance m the Antilles
and Blue Mountain Valley of Jamaica, where it is indigenous. ^ The fig-ure represents the upper
4,art of a large specimen, communicated by A. B. Lambert, esq. with whom it flowered in the summer
of 1804.
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