Volume 6 — PLATE CCCCXIV.

CRASSULA OBLIQUA.

Oblique-leaved Crassula.

CLASS V. ORDER V.

PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Five Chives. Five Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx pentaphyllus. Petala quinque. Squamæ quinque nectariferæ ad basin germinis.

Empalement five-leaved. Petals five. Five honey-bearing pores at the base of the germ.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Crassula, foliis ovatis obliquis integerrimis acutis distinctis, margine cartilagineis. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 1553.—Ait. Hort. Kew. 1. 395.

Crassula, with leaves egg-shaped oblique very entire acute distinct, and cartilaginous on the margin.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

Although the genus Crassula is a very extensive one, and possesses many species which are remarkable either for beauty, singularity, or fragrance; the one which we have here the satisfaction of illustrating is, we think, by far the most ornamental; and is at the same time both a stately and a singular plant. It is very succulent, and requires the heat of the hot-house to make it bloom; but prospers best, like all other succulent plants of the more tender kind, on the shelves of a dry stove. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and is propagated with facility by cuttings; prefers a light loamy soil, and a dry treatment; and produces its large bunches of flowers late in the year; which are very showy and of considerable duration, particularly if removed into the green-house while in bloom, and at that time more liberally watered.

The oblique-leaved Crassula is an old inhabitant of our gardens, but not a frequent one. Our drawing was made from a fine specimen obligingly sent us by Thomas Evans, esq. from his fine collection at Stepney, last August.