HYOSCYAMUS Orientalis.
Reading edition
Oriental Hyoscyamus.
Class and Order.—Pentandria Monogynia.
Syn. Hyoscyamus Orientalis. Beburstein Fl. Taur. Cauc. vol. 1. p. 164.
— Hyoscyamus Orientalis. Curt. Bot. Mag. pl. 2414.
Root tuberous—stem erect, growing to the height of one foot or more—leaves on rather long petioles, broadly lanceolate, spreading, margins undulate, of a dull green, strongly veined with red—under side reddish in the young leaves—flowers thyrsiform—on short pedicels—calyx campanulate, margin five cleft, segments acute, tinged with purple—corolla lilac, funnel shaped, limb spreading, five cleft—stamens five, inclined, shorter than the style—stigma clavate—whole plant covered with a whitish pubescence which it nearly loses in more advanced growth.
The genus Hyoscyamus is, perhaps, more remarkable for its medicinal properties than for its beauty, though this species is certainly a handsome plant and as yet rarely met with:—it is of later introduction than Hyoscyamus Physaloides, which has a darker flower, the leaves perfectly smooth, and the plant altogether is of smaller growth. H. Orientalis is a native of Iberia, a country between the Black and Caspian Seas, and was first introduced into this country from seeds sent to Mr. John Hunneman, about the year 1821; it is perfectly hardy, likes a rich soil, and may be increased by parting the roots or by seed; flowers as early as March. There is only another species besides the two mentioned, deserving of cultivation in a flower garden, which is H. Scopoli.
Pl. 10.
Plate 11. Orobus Vernus. Drawn from Nature by M.R. Engraved by R. Havell Junr.