The botanist's repository for new and rare plants; vol. 10 [of 10]

Volume 10 — PLATE DCLVIII. STYLEDIUM GRAMINIFOLIUM. Grass-leaved Styledium.

Reading edition

CLASS XX. ORDER II.

GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. Chives on the Pointals. Two Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx bilabiatus. Cor. tubulosa, irregulariter 5-partita, laciniis interioribus tripartitis. Capsula bilocularis, bivalvis, polysperma.

Empalement two-lipped. Blossom tabular, irregularly 5-parted: segments of the interior 3-parted. Capsule two-locular, two-valved, many-seeded.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Styledium foliis radicalibus lineari-lanceolatis: floribus spicatis: corollis 4-partitis. Swartz. Nov. Act. Soc. Natur. Scrut. Berol. vol. 5. fig. 1. Billardiere, Nova Hollandia, tab. 215.

Styledium with radical leaves linear and lance-shaped: flowers grow in spikes: blossom 4-parted.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement. 2. A blossom spread open. 3. Chives and pointals, summit magnified, both from the upper and under surface. 4. A half-ripe seed-vessel.

This curious genus, in its style of action, displays an appearance of locomotive power superior to the Mimosas; for, whilst they shrink from the touch, this boldly comes forward with singular elasticity; and although it may not exceed in beauty, it certainly possesses a more moving power than the utmost grace and beauty of other plants can boast. Like most of the productions of New Holland, it bears a strict appearance, and is seen to most advantage in a plant about three years old, such as our figure represents, as it flowered for the first time in this country at the Hammersmith nursery.

Illustration from The botanist's repository for new and rare plants; vol. 10 [of 10]