Volume 4 — PLATE CCLI. LACHENALIA PURPUREO-CÆRULEO. Sweet violet-colour’d Lachenalia.

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

Corolla 6-petala, infera; petalis tribus interioribus longioribus.

Stamina erecta. Capsula subovata, trialata. Semina globosa.

Blossom 6-petals, beneath; the three inner petals the longest.

Chives erect. Capsule nearly egg-shaped, three-winged. Seeds globular.

See Lachenalia pendula. Pl. XLI. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Lachenalia corollis campanulatis, pedunculatis; petalis obtusis, revolutis; staminibus corolla longioribus; foliis lanceolatis; floribus purpureo-cæruleis, odoratissimis.

Lachenalia with the blossoms bell-shaped, and with foot-stalks; petals obtuse and rolled back; chives longer than the blossom; leaves lance-shaped; flowers of a purplish blue colour, and very sweet-scented.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A flower shewn from the outside.

2. The same shewn from the inside.

3. The Pointal and seed-bud.

This very fine species of Lachenalia, with its variety, have been figured by Prof. Jacquin in his Icones, and Collectanea; but whether from dried specimens or not we cannot determine. As yet there is no figure, of either, in any British publication. Mr. Williams, of Turnham Green, nurseryman, was the first who had it to flower in this kingdom, and to his kindness in sending us a fine specimen, this year, in April, we are indebted for our present figure. It is equally hardy with the rest of the species of the Genus, and propagates abundantly by the root; delights most in a sandy peat soil.