PELARGONIUM imperiale.
Imperial Storlc s-bill.
P. imperiale, foliis cordato-reniformibus rotundatis sub-
quinquelobis undulatis acute dentatis pilosis,^ stipulis
ovatis acutis, umbellis plurifloris, petalis maximis omnibus
obovatis calyce triplo longioribus, tubo nectarifero
calyce subaequali.
A strong growing upright frutescent plant: branches
erect, thickly clothed with unequal spreading villous hairs,
as are the petioles, peduncles, calyx, and nectariferous tube. Leaves large, broader than long, cordately reniform, rounded
at the point, slightly 5-lobed, undulate, sharply toothed
with smallish teeth, clothed with small hairs on both sides,
fringed; upper leaves deeper lobed, and the teeth larger. Petioles stout, much flattened and furrowed on the upper
side, and convex on the lower. Stipules broadly ovate,
acute, villous. Peduncles cylindrical. Involucre of 6 or 7
broadly ovate or cordate, short, acute, bels villous bractes. Um
several-flowered. Pedicles longer than the bractes. Calyx 5-cleft, of a purplish brown, the laciniae broadly lanceolate,
acute, upper one broadest, erect, the others reflexed. Nectariferous tube broad and flat, gibbous at the base,
about the length of the calyx. Petals 5, very large, allobo-
vate, about three times the length of the calyx : upper ones
broadest, unequal sided, of a dark red, inclining to crimson,
with a dark velvet patch in the centre, and a white mark
below it; between the dark mark and the base are numerous
strong dark lines, which are elegantly branched : lower
mpeetanltss lighter, marked with strong red branching veins. Fila
10, united at the base, 7 bearing anthers: pollen
orange-coloured. Style hairy at the base, and smooth upwards.
Stigmas 5, purple, reflexed.
VOL. iv . s