Petals 5, or sometimes increased to 6 or 7, some of which
are more or less deformed, oblongly ligulate, the points
either rounded or truncate, or occasionally notched, of a
light pink, more or less stained with a reddish purple; the
upper ones marked near the base with branched purple
lines; the lower ones producing two simple dark lines,
which are connected at the base. Filaments 10, connected
at the base, 7 bearing anthers, one of the anther bearing
ones a large spathulate one: anthers all sterile. Style
quite smooth, of a pale colour. Stigmas 5, purple, reflexed.
This very singular plant is also of hybrid origin; and
we believe no person would ever have guessed at its origin,
had it not been certainly known: it is the produce of a
seed of P . sanguineum, which we fertilized with the pollen
of P . echinatum; and when every part of the plant is
examined, it may be easily seen that it is as near as possible
intermediate between the two : the growth and stem of
the plant is altogether that of P. echinatum, as is also the
form of the leaves, except being longer, and more deeply
notched; the flowering stem, and manner of flowering altogether,
is like P. sanguineum, and the colour of the
flowers is intermediate between the two; it is altogether
as curious a production as any of the tribe that we have
yet met with; the flowers are sweet scented in the evening
and night, but nearly scentless during the day.
Our drawing was taken at the Nursery of Mr. Colvill,
in April last: like the other succulent kinds, it requires a
light sandy soil, or a mixture of light turfy loam, peat, and
sand will suit it very well, and it is readily increased by
the tubers of the root.