Volume 4 — PLATE CCXIX. GLADIOLUS CUSPIDATUS. Var. petalis crispis. Spear-spotted Gladiolus. Var. with crisped petals.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

Corolla sex-partita, ringens.

Stamina adscendentia.

Blossom six divisions, gaping.

Chives ascending.

See Gladiolus roseus, Plate XI. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis lineari-ensiformibus, glabris; corolla ringente; laciniis longissimis, acuminatis, crispatis, subæqualibus, tribus inferioribus in medio macula oblonga notalis; corollis albicantibus.

Gladiolus with linear-sword-shaped smooth leaves; blossom gaping, segments very long, tapered to the point, crisped and nearly equal, the three lower ones in the middle have an oblong spot; blossoms whitish.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two valves of the Empalement.

2. The Blossom cut open, with the chives.

3. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit, one division of the summit magnified.

Although this species of Gladiolus is as old in our gardens as, almost any, we have; yet, it is not much known, from the unfrequency of its flowering, of which there is no certainty. The best method to assist it with a vigorous growth, is to place it in a considerable degree of warmth, such as the heat of the hot-house, the pot being kept in a pan, with water. With this assistance, it may be made to flower, sometimes, about the end of May. It is a very hardy bulb, in what regards the root, and its preservation. Our figure was made in May, 1800, from a plant which had been treated in the above manner, at the Hammersmith nursery.