the margins thickly clothed with dense woolly hairs: upper
one broadest, keeled, erect: the others reflexed at the
points. Nectariferous tube about the length of the calyx,
flattened on each side, and gibbous at the base, more or
less purple. Petals 5, handsomely formed, the two upper
ones obovate, rounded at the points, of a pale lilac, with a
bright dark purple patch in the centre, below which are
some interrupted short lines, somewhat branched. lower
ones narrower, obovate, becoming very slender towards the
base. Filaments 10, ascending, 7 bearing anthers : pollen
orange-coloured. Style flesh-coloured, hairy above half its
length. Stigmas 5, purple, reflexed at the points.
We have known the present plant in the collections about
London for many years, but know nothing of its origin; it
is probably a species from the Cape, as we know no sorts
that could have produced it; in general habit, and the glassy
like hairs with which it is covered, it is nearest related to
P. obtusilobum, but can never be confused with it: if a
hybrid production, that is most probably one of its parents;
it makes a handsome compact bush, and flowers in succession
all the Summer, thriving well in a rich light soil; and
young cuttings, planted in pots, and placed in a sheltered
situation, strike root readily.
Our drawing was made from a plant at the Nursery of
Mr. Colvill, in August last,