to the base, but when first opened, imbricate: obovate
or broadly cuneate, with crenated points, of a bright
yellow, with a large velvet spot at the base, which is
also toothed in appearance; the spot at the base of each
petal gives the appearance of a dark circle at the base
of the flower. Stamens about 50, either more or less:
filaments very unequal in length, of a dark purple, yellow
at the base, smooth. Germen woolly. Style very
short, hid by the large capitate, slightly lobed, pustu-
lose Stigma.
The present plant being so much like some others,
with which it is confused in many of the Nurseries, that
we were afraid it had disappeared altogether, until we
saw a plant of it last Spring in full bloom at Mr. Mac-
kay’s Nursery at Clapton, from which our drawing was
taken; we have since seen it also at Mr. Lee’s Nursery
at Hammersmith. It is nearly related to H. ocymoides,
but that is readily distinguished by its long taper-pointed
glossy sepals, from H. rugosum; it is also distinguished
by that having its petals imbricate, and its sepals
clothed with stiff reddish brown bristles, not soft
woolly hairs like the present.
This being a native of the South of Europe, it requires
some protection in Winter; if planted in rock-
work, or against a wall, it will require to be protected
by a mat, or some covering in sharp frosty weather; or
if grown in pots, it may be kept in frames or in the
Greenhouse, where its lively blossoms in Spring make
a pretty appearance; a light sandy soil suits it best, or
a mixture of light turfy loam and peat will suit it very
well. Cuttings, planted under hand-glasses, root freely,
anytime from July to September.