ERICA taxifolia, major.
Reading edition
CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.
Erica, antheris cristatis, inclusis: floribus in umbellis terminalibus: corollis urceolatis: foliis ternis, trigonis, mucronatis.
DESCRIPTIO.
Caulis erectus, bipedalis: ramulis ternis, verticillatis.
Folia terna, rigida, trigona, mucronata, glauca, suprà plana, subtùs canaliculata: petiolis longis.
Flores ramos terminant in umbellis erectis: pedunculi colorati, bracteis tribus coloratis: corolla urceolata, carnea, calyce colorato fere tecta.
Germen tiaræforme, sulcatum, ad basin nectariis melliferis instructum.
Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.
Floret a mense Julii in Decembrem.
REFERENTIA.
1. Calyx. 2. Stamen unum, cum antherâ unâ lente auctâ. 3. Germen auctum.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Heath, with crested tips, within the blossom; flowers terminate the branches in umbels: blossoms pitcher-shaped: leaves by threes, three-sided, and mucronated.
DESCRIPTION.
Stem upright, two feet high; smaller branches grow by threes in whorls.
Leaves by threes, harsh, three-sided, mucronated, glaucous, flat on the upper surface, and channelled beneath: footstalks long.
Flowers grow at the ends of the branches in upright umbels: footstalks coloured, with three coloured floral leaves: blossom pitcher-shaped, flesh-coloured, and almost covered by a coloured cup.
Seed-bud turban-shaped, furrowed, and furnished with honey-bearing nectaries at the base.
Native of the Cape of Good Hope.
Flowers from the month of July till December.
REFERENCE.
1. The Empalement. 2. A Chive, with a tip magnified. 3. Seed-bud magnified.
This fine plant resembles both the E. calycina major and the E. elegans, as well as the E. taxifolia, of which it is considered as a large variety: but from the crested character of the antheræ we are inclined to regard it as equally related to the two former species. It is well known to cultivators by the title we have adopted, and is said to have been first raised from Cape seed at the Hibbertian collection in 1806. Our drawing was made from a plant two feet high in the nursery of Mr. Williams.
