Volume 1 — PLATE XXXVIII. GLADIOLUS PRÆCOX. Var. flore rubro. Red early-flowering 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. Gladiolus roseus.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis ensiformibus, apicibus tortis, lineari-cruciatis; corollis sub-campanulatis, rubris; petalis acuminatis.

Gladiolus with sword-shaped leaves, twisted at the ends, linear, and cross-shaped; blossoms nearly bell-shaped, and red; petals sharp-pointed.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two Sheaths of the Empalement. 2. A Blossom cut open, to expose the situation of the Chives. 3. The Pointal, one of the Summits magnified. 4. A Seed.

Of all the species of this numerous Genus, this is the first to expand its blossoms, seldom flowering later than April; is extremely hardy, scarce requiring the warmth of a greenhouse for its protection, although a native of the Cape. About the year 1791, the bulbs of this plant were purchased of Messrs. Voorhelm, and Co. of Haarlem, in Holland, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, at whose nursery it has repeatedly flowered, and where this figure was taken. It is propagated by the root, as other Gladiolus, and requires the same earth, a light sandy peat.

PLATE 38