ERICA transparens.
Reading edition
CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.
Erica, antheris muticis, inclusis: floribus terminalibus: foliis ternis.
DESCRIPTIO.
Caulis bipedalis, fruticosus, erectus.
Folia ternata, linearia, nitida, erecto-patentia: foliis majoribus flexuosis.
Flores plerumque terni, cernui, ad ramorum extremitates: calyx duplex, crassus, adpressus: calyx exterior trifoliatus: corolla tubulosa, purpurea: oris laciniis viridi-albicantibus.
Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.
Floret a mense Julii ad Aprilem.
REFERENTIA.
1. Calyx. 2. Antheræ et Pistillum, anthera una lente aucta. 3. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto. 4. Germen lente auctum.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Heath, with beardless tips, within the blossom: flowers terminal: leaves by threes.
DESCRIPTION.
Stem two feet high, shrubby, and erect.
Leaves by threes, linear, shining, erect, and spreading: the larger leaves are flexuose.
Flowers grow mostly by threes, drooping, at the ends of the branches: empalement double, thick, and pressed to the blossom: the exterior calyx three-leaved: blossom tubular and purple: the segments of the border of a greenish white.
Native of the Cape of Good Hope.
Flowers from the month of July till April.
REFERENCE.
1. The Empalement. 2. Chives and Pointal, one tip magnified. 3. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified. 4. Seed-bud magnified.
The Erica transparens may be considered as one of the most beautiful of this fine tribe of plants. Its flowers equal in lustre the finest silk: their succession is so abundant, that we have found it in luxuriant bloom for six months. Our drawing was finished in the month of February 1820; and although the cold season checked the rich colour of its blossoms, yet was it (even so restrained) the most elegant ornament of the conservatory. It resembles the E. discolor in many particulars, but is specifically distinct in having the anthers muticæ instead of aristatæ.
