Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1848 Excerpt:...Stamens monadelphous, Description, &c.--This is a very large genus, all the species of which, with only one exception, are shrubby, and they are all natives of the Cape of Good Hope. The name of Aspalathm is said to be derived from two Greek words, signifying not to extract; in allusion to the annoyance occasioned by the thorny leaves with which these plants abound, and which it is difficult to extract when they have entered the flesh. 1.--ASPALATHUS CARNOSA Thunb. THE FLESHY-LEAVED ASPALATHUS. Engraving.--Bot. Mag., t 1289. Specific Character.--Leaves fasciculate, fleshy, terete, glabrous. Flowers lateral and terminal. Calyx bracteate. Description, &c.--A very pretty little plant, with fleshy cylindrical leaves, and rather large, yellow flowers. As in all the other species of the genus, the leaves are produced in tufts. The species flowers in May and June. It was introduced in 1795. 2.--ASPALATHUS CHENOPODA Lin. THE GOOSE-FOOT ASPALATHUS. Specific Character.--Plant hispid. Leaves fasciculate, subulate, and ending in a sharp rigid mucro. Flowers capitate, terminal. Style long, permanent. Description, &c.--A very singular-looking plant, covered all over with thin hairs, and having the branches beset with little tufts of sharp spine-like leaves, those nearest the branches being much shorter than the others. The flowers are large, and yellow tinged with red; and the styles, which are very long, remain on after the flowers p have fallen, looking like little horns projecting from the tufts of leaves which terminate the branches. The plant was introduced in 1759. It flowers in July and August, and if planted in the free ground in a conservatory, it forms a very handsome shrub. OTHER SPECIES OF ASPALATHUS. A. ARANEOSA Wiunb. A very curious shrub, with...