Volume 7 — PLATE CCCCXLVI.

DOLICHOS HIRTUS.

Hairy-stemmed Dolichos.

CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Chives in two sets. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

Vexillum callis duobus ad basin, parallelis, oblongis, alis subtus comprimentibus.

Standard with two callosities at the base; parallel, and of an oblong form; the wings beneath binding together.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Dolichos hirtus; caule volubili, tecto ferrugineis pilosis; floribus luteis striatis rubris; foliis ternatis; foliolis sub-cordatis, subtus pilosis; stipulis duabus ad basin; radice tuberosa.

Dolichos with a hairy stem: the stalk is twining, and covered with rusty hairs: flowers are yellow, and striped with red: leaves ternate; leaflets nearly heart-shaped, and hairy beneath, with two stipulæ at their base: root tuberous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

This handsome twining plant was introduced from the Cape of Good Hope to the gardens of G. Hibbert, esq. about the year 1802, and flowered very luxuriantly, but did not perfect any of its seeds nor make any approach towards it, as the flowers with their empalements all fell off together immediately after flowering; and for the last three or four years the plant (although apparently in a healthy state) has not indicated the least appearance of bloom; and we are inclined to think it might possibly succeed better with the careful treatment of the dry stove than with its present situation in the hot-house; and if upon experiment it should prove successful, it would then doubtless become a plant in request by many cultivators who whilst it remains a hot-house plant cannot give it a place in their collection.

This genus approaches so near to that of Phaseolus, that we cannot help thinking one generic title would have been sufficient for them both.