slightly nodding. Pedicles clothed with a hoary pubescence,
nodding before the expansion of the flowers,
becoming more erect as they expand, afterwards reflexed.
Bractes linear, acute, broader than the stipules,
about the length of the pedicles. Calyx of 5
sepals, hoary and pubescent; two outer ones small,
oblong, obtuse, green, with a canescent margin : three
inner ones ovate, obtuse, concave inwards, of a thin
membranaceous texture, transparent, strongly 3-nerved,
the nerves clothed with stiffish hairs. Petals 5, broad
and rounded, imbricate, the points a little uneven, but
scarcely crenulate, pale pink, rather darker at the sides.
Stamens from 50 to 60: filaments slender, smooth,
bright yellow, scarcely so long as the sty le : pollen
golden yellow. Capsule densely tomentose, about the
length of the calyx. Style very slender at the base,
where it is more or less bent, thickening a little upwards.
Stigma capitate, papillose.
Our drawing of this beautiful species was taken from
a fine plant, kindly sent to us from the Nursery of
Messrs. Young, at Epsom, the only collection in which
we have seen i t ; it is a native of Barbary, and therefore
requires a little protection in Winter, either to be
placed in a Frame, or to be covered with mats or straw
in severe frost; if planted in rock-work, a covering of
straw, or a thick mat will be requisite; but if grown
in pots, they can be protected under a common garden
frame; a mixture of sandy loam and peat is a proper
soil for i t ; and young cuttings, planted under handglasses
in August, will strike root readily.