Volume 1 — PLATE XXIX. IXIA SPICATA. Var. viridi nigra. Sea-green spiked Ixia.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

Corolla 6 petala, patens, æqualis.

Stigmata 3, erectiusculo-patula.

Blossom six petals, spreading, equal.

Summits three, nearly upright, spreading.

See Ixia reflexa, Plate XIV.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia foliis linearibus, costatis; corolla viridi, petalis basi obscuris; spicis longissimis.

Ixia with linear, ribbed leaves; green blossom, the base of the petals dark; spikes very long.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two sheaths of the Empalement.

2. A Blossom cut open, to shew its tubular character, and the insertion of the Chives at the mouth.

3. The Pointal complete, one of its Summits magnified.

The singularity of colour exhibited in this very fine species of Ixia, the extraordinary length of the spikes, the flowers of which are mostly all expanded at the same time; and which grow sometimes to the length of a foot, or more; will certainly entitle it to a place in every collection of exotics. We are indebted to the Hollanders for this plant, as they first introduced it from the Cape; and it is from them we received it but a few years since. It is amongst the hardiest, and easiest propagated of this genus; requiring a small degree of heat when near blowing, to make the flowers expand with lustre; thriving best in peat earth; propagating itself by the bulb; and flowering during the months of May and June.

PLATE 29