Volume Iv Part 4 (2/2)
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
NARCISSUS _incomparabilis_ spatha uniflora, nectario campanulato plicato crispo petalis dimidio breviore, foliis planis.
NARCISSUS latifolius omnium maximus amplo calice flavo sive Nompareille.
The great Nonesuch Daffodil, or incomparable Daffodil. _Park. Par.
p. 68._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 121]
This species of Narcissus, though well described and figured by the old Botanists, especially PARKINSON; has been overlooked by LINNaeUS.
It is undoubtedly the _incomparable Daffodil_ of PARKINSON, figured in his Garden of Pleasant Flowers; and the _incomparabilis_ of MILLER's _Dict. ed. 6. 4to._ the latter informs us, that he received roots of it from Spain and Portugal, which fixes its place of growth.
It is a very hardy bulbous plant, and flowers in April; in its single state it is very ornamental, the petals are usually pale yellow, and the nectary inclined to orange, which towards the brim is more brilliant in some than in others; in its double state, it is well known to Gardeners, by the name of b.u.t.ter and Egg Narcissus, and of this there are two varieties, both of which produce large shewy flowers, the one with colours similar to what we have above described, which is the most common, the other with petals of a pale sulphur colour, almost white, and the nectary bright orange; this, which is one of the most ornamental of the whole tribe, is named in the Dutch catalogues, the _Orange Phoenix_; its blossoms are so large as frequently to require supporting; its bulbs may be had of many of the Nurseries about London, and of those who, profiting by the supineness of our English Gardeners, import bulbs from abroad.
Like most of the tribe, this species will grow well without any care, the bulbs of the double sort should be taken up yearly, otherwise they are apt to degenerate.
[122]
HYACINTHUS RACEMOSUS. STARCH HYACINTH.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
Corolla campanulata: pori 3 melliferi germinis.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
HYACINTHUS _racemosus_ corollis ovatis, summis sessilibus, foliis laxis.
_Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 336._ _Sp. Pl. 455._
HYACINTHUS racemosus caeruleus minor juncifolius. _Bauh. Pin. p. 43._
HYACINTHUS botryodes 1. _Car Clus. Hist. p. 181._
HYACINTHUS racemosus. _Dodon. Pempt. p. 217._
HYACINTHUS botroides minor caeruleus obscurus. The darke blew Grape-flower. _Park. Par. p. 114._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 122]
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