P L A T E CCCCXCVIII.
H I B I S C U S PRURIENS.
Stinging Hibiscus,
CLASS XVL ORDER VL
MONADELPHL4 POLYANDRIA. Threads united. Many Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX duplex, exterior polyphyllus. Stigmata
5. Capsula 5-locularis, poJysperma.
E M P A L E M E N T double ; outer one many-leaved.
5 summits. Capsule 5-celled, many-seeded.
SPECIFIC
H I B I S C U S foliis sub-cordatis, lobatis, dentatis:
floribus terminalibusj magnis, colore sulphureo,
ad basin petalorum macula atropurpúrea
notatis. Caulis et petioll setis
par\'is laxis obsiti sunt, quae manibus adhasrentes
irritant et pungunt.
CHARACTER.
H I B I S C U S with nearly heart-shaped leaves, lobed
and tootlied: flowers terminal, large, and
of a sulphur colour, witli a dark purple spot
at the base of the petals. The stem and
petioles are beset with small loose bristles,
which sticking to the hand irritate and sting.'
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement.
3. The chives cut open, one tip magnified.
3. Seed-bud and pointal, summits magnified.
It approaches i T H I S non-descript species of Hibiscus is a native of tJie East Indies, n general appearance
nearest to the H. canabinus. The stems and Ibotstalks of our plant are beset with short bristly
hairs, so loosely attached that they easily come off, and, sticking about the hands, create an unpleasant
sensation somewhat resembling the stinging of a nettle. The fine dark eye of the flower is
a great relief to the surrounding sulphur colour, to the light delicacy of whose appearance it is so
very difficult to do justice; for, in tli is showy family, elegant inflorescence is their principal recommendation.
Our figure represents a fine plant raised in the bot-stove of A. B. Lambert, esq.