large: the two upper ones broadly obovate, very unequal
sided, strongly 2-veined at the back, of a purple
lilac, with a large velvetty spot in the centre, below
which ave numerous dark purple lines, more or less
branched, but generally forked: lower petals oblongly
oval, rounded at the point, and attenuated to the base,
of a pale lilac. Filaments 10, connected at the base,
7 bearing anthers. Pollen dark orange-coloured. Style
purple, hairy from the base to about the middle. Stigmas
5, purple, reflexed at the points.
Our drawing of the present subject was made from
a plant communicated by Mr. Little, from his collection
in the King’s-road, Chelsea, where it was raised from
seed ; it is one of the strong growing hardy sorts, and
will therefore be a proper plant for decorating rooms or
balconies, as its numerous very large flowers make a
fine appearance; it is nearly related to the P. cuculla-
tum and P. angulosum tribe; but its leaves are much
smoother, and the margins are reflexed, instead of being
cucullate; the habit of flowering is also very different;
and as there has been so many hybrid crosses, particularly
in the large growing sorts, it is impossible to guess
from what parents it has originated; it will, however,
make a fine showy sort for the market, thriving well in
any strong rich soil; and young cuttings, planted in
pots, or under hand-glasses, in a shady situation, will
soon strike root.