Volume Iv Part 2 (2/2)

_Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 662._

LATHYRUS sativus, flore fructusque albo. _Bauh. Pin. 343._

[Ill.u.s.tration: No 115]

A native of France, Spain, and Italy, and distinguishable when in flower by the blue colour of its blossoms, which are sometimes, however, milk-white; but its seed-pods afford a more certain mark of distinction, being unusually short, broad, and winged on the back.

This species grows to the height of about two feet, and is usually sown in the spring with other annuals; though not so beautiful, it forms a contrast to the sweet and Tangier Pea, and may be introduced where there is plenty of room, or a desire of possessing and knowing most of the plants of a genus.

It flowers in June and July.

Cultivated 1739, by Mr. PHILIP MILLER. _Ait. Hort. Kew._

[116]

LIMODORUM TUBEROSUM. TUBEROUS-ROOTED LIMODORUM.

_Cla.s.s and Order._

GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

Nectarium monophyllum, concavum, pedicellatum, intra petalum infimum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

LIMODORUM _tuberosum_ floribus subspicatis barbatis. _Ait. Hort. Kew. p.

301._

[Ill.u.s.tration: No 116]

For this rare plant I am indebted to the very laudable exertions of a late Gardener of mine, JAMES SMITH, who, in the spring of the year 1788, examining attentively the bog earth which had been brought over with some plants of the _Dionaea Muscipula_, found several small tooth-like k.n.o.bby roots, which being placed in pots of the same earth, and plunged into a tan-pit having a gentle heat, produced plants the ensuing summer, two of which flowered, and from the strongest of those our figure was taken.

From this circ.u.mstance we learn, that this species is a native of South Carolina, and properly a bog plant, growing spontaneously with the _Dionaea Muscipula_.

Both Mr. DRYANDER and Dr. J. E. SMITH a.s.sure me, that it is the true _Limodorum tuberosum_ of LINNaeUS; the one usually called by that name is a native of the West-Indies, and treated as a stove plant.

From the little experience we have had of the management of this species, it appears to us to be scarcely hardy enough for the open border, yet not tender enough to require a stove. We have succeeded best by treating it in the manner above mentioned; we may observe, that the tan-pit spoken of was built in the open garden, not in a stove, and was for the purpose of raising plants or seeds by a gentle heat, as well as for striking cuttings and securing plants from cold in the winter.

Our figure will make a description of the plant unnecessary, its flowering stem with us has arisen to the height of a foot and a half, the number of flowers has not exceeded five. In its most luxuriant state it will probably be found much larger, and to produce more flowers.

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