class="x-ebookmaker-pageno" title="[Pg 7]"/>

[111]

Lathyrus Tuberosus. Tuberous Lathyrus, or Pease Earth-Nut.

Class and Order.

Diadelphia Decandria.

Generic Character.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

N^o111

Grows spontaneously in various parts of France and Germany; Mr. Philip Hurlock lately shewed me some dried specimens of this plant, which he gathered in the corn fields, on the Luneburgh Heide, in Upper Lusatia, where it grew plentifully, and afforded a pleasing appearance to the curious traveller:—not so to the husbandman, to whom it is as noxious as the Convolvulus arvensis (small Bindweed) is with us, and equally difficult to extirpate, having powerfully creeping roots, which somewhat like the Helianthus tuberosus (commonly called Jerusalem Artichoke) produce large tubera, and which like those of that plant, are in high esteem with some as an article of food, and as such even cultivated abroad.

It flowers from June to the end of August. It is certainly a beautiful hardy perennial, similar to (but of more humble growth) than the everlasting pea, yet must be cautiously introduced on account of its creeping roots, by which it is most readily propagated, rarely ripening its seeds with us.

It is, perhaps, better suited to decorate the unclip'd hedge of the pleasure-ground, than the border of the flower-garden.

[112]

Cistus Ladaniferus. Gum Cistus.

Class and Order.

Polyandria Monognia.

Generic Character.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

N^o112

One of the most ornamental hardy shrubs we possess; at once pleasing to the eye, and grateful to the smell; for, as Miller observes, the whole plant in warm weather exudes a sweet glutinous substance, which has a very strong balsamic scent, so as to perfume the circumambient air to a great distance.

Its blossoms, which appear in June and July in great profusion, exhibit a remarkable instance of quickly-fading beauty, opening and expanding to the morning sun, and before night strewing the ground with their elegant remains: as each succeeding day produces new blossoms, this deciduous disposition of the petals, common to the genus, is the less to be regretted.

Is a native of Spain and Portugal, prefers a dry soil and warm sheltered situation, and in very severe seasons requires some kind of covering.

Cultivated 1656, by Mr. John Tradescant, jun. Ait. Hort. Kew.

Is readily increased from cuttings; but Miller remarks, that the best plants are raised from seeds.

Varies with waved leaves, and in having petals without a spot at the base.

Is not the plant from whence the Ladanum of the shops is produced, though affording in warmer countries than ours a similar gum, hence its name of ladanifera is not strictly proper.

[113]

Convolvulus Purpureus. Purple Bindweed, or Convolvulus Major.

Class and Order.

Pentandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

N^o113

"Is an annual plant which grows naturally in Asia and America, but has been long cultivated for ornament in the English gardens, and is generally known by the title of Convolvulus major. Of this there are three or four lasting varieties; the most common hath a purple flower, but there is one with a white, another with a red, and one with a whitish-blue flower, which hath white seeds. All these varieties I have cultivated many years, without observing them to change. If the seeds of these sorts are sown in the spring, upon a warm border where the plants are designed to remain, they will require no other culture but to keep them clear from weeds, and place some tall stakes down by them, for their stalks to twine about, otherwise they will spread on the ground and make a bad appearance. These plants, if they are properly supported, will rise ten or twelve feet high in warm Summers: they flower in June, July, and August, and will continue till the frost kills them. Their seeds ripen in Autumn." Miller's Gard. Dict. ed. 4to. 1771.

[114]

Silene Pendula. Pendulous Catchfly.

Class and Order.

Decandria Trigynia.

Generic Character.

Specific Character and Synonyms.