Volume 9 — PLATE DLXXX. MESEMBRYANTHEMUM ACINACIFORME. Scimitar-leaved Mesembryanthemum.

CLASS XII. ORDER IV.

ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Twenty Chives. Five Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

Petala valde numerosa, linearia, basi cohærentia.

Petals very numerous, linear, cohering at the base.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Mesembryanthemum foliis acinaciformibus: floribus amplissimis, lætè purpureis.

Dillenii Hortus Elthamensis, tab. CCXI.

Fig-marygold with scimitar-shaped leaves: flowers very large, and of a bright purple colour.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

Throughout this extensive tribe of plants, this is the most splendid species of Mesembryanthemum we are at present acquainted with; and although an old plant in the gardens, it is quite a rarity to meet with it in flower. Our specimen is from the collection of Mr. Trimmer, of Kew Bridge, whose method of forcing it into bloom may be worth the attention of cultivators. It is by training it up against the glass, and watering it very sparingly; indeed, so little water is requisite for many of the succulent plants, that we have seen them thrive very well without any, except what they absorb from the humidity of the atmosphere in the descending dews.