Volume 1 — PLATE XXVII. GLADIOLUS RINGENS. Var. cinereo odorato. Gaping Ash-coloured sweet Gladiolus.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

Corolla 6-partita, ringens.

Stamina adscendentia.

Blossom six divisions, gaping.

Chives ascending.

See Plate XI.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis linearibus, costatis; floribus ringentibus, cineriis, odoratissimis.

Gladiolus with linear, ribbed leaves; the blossoms gaping, ash-coloured, and very sweet-scented.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two sheaths of the Empalement. 2. A Blossom cut open to expose the insertion of the Chives. 3. The Pointal (one Summit magnified). 4. A Seed in its coat.

This most desirable Gladiolus, is not a perfect novelty in the greenhouse; although extremely scarce, it has been introduced to us constantly from the Cape of Good Hope, but from its great delicacy has been repeatedly lost. The plants now in England, have been imported from Holland, from the collection of Messrs. Voorhelm and Co. who about the year 1793, purchased the largest collection ever formed at the Cape, from a Frenchman who had been many years resident there. The Gladiolus ringens about mid-day has the flavour of violets so powerfully, that a single plant is sufficient to scent a whole greenhouse. It is with difficulty preserved from rotting at the root; therefore should be grown in very sandy peat, and should be exposed to dry as soon as the flower is gone. Is propagated by the root, or by seed, which may be procured by great care not to over-water the bulb after flowering; but herein there is great danger.

PLATE 27