ERICA aitonia.
Reading edition
CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.
Erica, antheris basis bicornibus, inclusis; corollis longissimis, viscosis, sulcatis, sesquipollicaribus, laciniis maximis, cordatis; foliis ternis.
DESCRIPTIO.
Caulis, rami, ramulique filiformes, flexibiles; rami simplices, longi.
Folia terna, apice patentia, serrata, acuminata, crassa, subtus sulcata.
Flores terminales, umbellati, terni, erecti, pedunculi longissimi, purpurei, bracteis tribus, coloratis, instructi.
Calyx. Perianthium tetraphyllum, foliolis spathulatis, crassis, viscosis, apicibus obtusis, extra concavis.
Corolla sesquipollicaris, sulcata, linearia, summa inflata, ore arctata; laciniis cordatis, maximis, expansis; extra dilute carnea, intus albida.
Stamina. Filamenta octo capillaria, torta; antheræ basi bicornes, apice cornutæ, inclusæ.
Pistillum. Germen oblongum, sulcatum; stylus rectus, filiformis exsertus, purpureus; stigma tetragonum.
Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.
Floret a mense Julii, in Octobrem.
REFERENTIA.
1. Calyx, et Corolla.
2. Calyx lente auctus.
3. Stamina, et Pistillum.
4. Stamina a Pistillo diducta, anthera una lente aucta.
5. Stylus, et Stigma, lente aucta.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Heath, whose tips have two horns at their base, and within the blossoms, which are extremely long, clammy, furrowed, of an inch and a half in length, the segments large, and heart-shaped; the leaves grow by fours.
DESCRIPTION.
The Stem, as well as the larger and smaller branches, are thread-shaped, and supple; the branches are simple, and long.
The Leaves grow by threes, spreading out at the end, sawed, sharp-pointed, thick and furrowed underneath.
The Flowers grow at the summit of the branches, three in a bunch, and upright; the foot-stalks are very long, and purple, having three coloured floral leaves.
Empalement. Cup four-leaved, which are spathula-shaped, thick, clammy, blunt at their ends, and hollow, without.
The Blossom is an inch and a half long, channelled, and linear, swelled at the end, and narrowed at the mouth; the segments of the border are very large, and expanded; of a light flesh colour on the outside, white within.
Chives. Eight hair-like threads twirled; tips two horned at their base, the points horned, and within the blossom.
Pointal. Seed-vessel oblong, and furrowed; the shaft straight, thread-shaped, purple, and without the blossom; summit four-cornered.
Native of the Cape of Good Hope.
Flowers from July, till October.
REFERENCE.
1. The Empalement, and Blossom.
2. The Empalement magnified.
3. The Chives, and Pointal.
4. The Chives detached from the Pointal; one tip magnified.
5. The Shaft, and its Summit, magnified.
