The Botanical Magazine Vol. 8 Or, Flower-Garden Displayed

Excerpt

Lathyrus Articulatus. Jointed-Podded Lathyrus.

Class and Order.

Diadelphia Decandria.

Generic Character.

Stylus planus, supra villosus, superne latior. Cal. laciniæ superiores 2-breviores.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

LATHYRUS articulatus pedunculis subunifloris, cirrhis polyphyllis; foliolis alternis. Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14. Murr. p. 662. Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 41.

CLYMENUM hispanicum, flore vario, siliqua articulata. Tourn. Inst. 396.

LATHYRUS hispanicus, pedunculis bifloris, cirrhis polyphyllis foliolis alternis. Mill. Dict. ed. 6. 4to.

The seed-vessels are of the first importance in ascertaining the several species of Lathyrus, some being naked, others hairy, some long, others short, some having a smooth and perfectly even surface, others, as in the present instance, assuming an uneven or jointed appearance.

Of this genus we have already figured three annual species, common in flower-gardens, viz. odoratus, tingitanus, and sativus; to these we now add the articulatus, not altogether so frequently met with, but meriting a place on the flower-border, as the lively red and delicate white so conspicuous in its blossoms, causes it to be much admired.

It is a native of Italy, and was cultivated at the Chelsea Garden, in the time of Mr. Rand, anno 1739.

It is a hardy annual, requiring support, and rarely exceeding the height of two feet, flowering in July and August, and is readily raised from seeds, which should be sown in the open border at the beginning of April.

Lopezia Racemosa. Mexican Lopezia.

Class and Order.

Monandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Cal. 4-phyllus. Cor. irregularis, pentapetala, duo superiora geniculata, quintum inferne declinatum, plicatum, ungue arcuata.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

LOPEZIA racemosa caule herbaceo ramoso; foliis alternis ovato-lanceolatis, serratis; floribus racemosis. Cavanilles Ic. et descr. Pl.

Some plants have a claim on our attention for their utility, some for their beauty, and some for the singularity of their structure, and the wonderful nature of their œconomy; in the last class we must place the present plant, the flowers of which we recommend to the examination of such of our readers as may have an opportunity of seeing them; to the philosophic mind, not captivated with mere shew, they will afford a most delicious treat.

We first saw this novelty in flower, towards the close of the year 1792, at the Apothecaries Garden, Chelsea, where Mr. Fairbairn informed me, that he had that season raised several plants of it from seeds, communicated by Dr. J. E. Smith, who received them from Madrid, to which place they were sent from South-America, and where the plant as Mons. Cavanille informs us, grows spontaneously near Mexico. In October 1793, we had the pleasure of seeing the plant again in blossom in the aforesaid garden, raised from seeds which ripened there the preceding year, but unfortunately from the lateness of their flowering, and the very great injury the plants had sustained from the Cobweb Mite (Acarus teliarius) vulgarly called the red Spider, there seemed little prospect that the seed-vessels would arrive at perfection....