Calyx 5-cleft, segments lanceolate, acute, all reflexed, and
clothed with short hairs. Nectariferous tube more than
double the length of the calyx, tinged with a brownish purple,
and thickly clothed with spreading hairs, that are tipped
with a small globular transparent gland. Petals 5,
broadly wedge-shaped, of a bright scarlet, three lower ones
nearly double the size of the upper ones; upper ones with
longish unguis, slightly reflexed, very slightly emarginate,
and crenulate, strongly 2-nerved at the back: lower ones
rounded at the points, and entire, strongly 3-nerved at the
back, the nerves branching. Filaments 10, straight, united
at the base, 7 bearing anthers, 2 upper ones very short. Style pale flesh-coloured, quite smooth,mas 5, and naked. Stig
fimbriate, reflexed.
The present plant is an old inhabitant of our Greenhouses,
and, we believe, was at first raised from seed that
had been received from the Cape; but by whom, or at
what time, we believe cannot now be ascertained: it was
figured several years since, in Mr. Andrews’s Geraniums,
by the name of G. crenatum, and has been known in most
collections by the name of the Bedford Geranium, and is
most probably a genuine species, as, we believe, is also
C. Bentinckianum. P. bracteosum of M. Decandolle, is,
probably, a mule from some of those, but, we believe, not
intermixed with P . fulgidum, as he supposes it to be, for
we have never yet seen any mule between this genus and
Pelargonium, nor have we ever been able to succeed in intermixing
them, although we have repeatedly tried the experiment.
Our drawing was made last Autumn from a plant in
the collection of R. H. Jenkinson, Esq.; it is rather more
tender than C. Fothergillii; and being of rather a succulent
nature, it requires but little water in Winter; it thrives
well in any rich light mould, and cuttings root readily,
planted in pots, and placed in a sheltered situation.