Volume Iv Part 6 (1/2)
This plant receives its generic name from CLAUDIUS ALSTROEMER (son of Sir JONAS ALSTROEMER, a most respectable Swedish Merchant) who first found the other most beautiful species the _Pelegrina_ in Spain, whither it had been transmitted from Peru; its trivial name _Ligtu_ is a provincial one.
According to FEWILLEE, who has written on the plants of Peru, this species is found on the banks of the rivers in Chili: we treat it, and successfully, as a stove plant; its flowers, which usually make their appearance in February and March, emit a fragrance scarcely inferior to Mignonet; its leaves, contrary to most others, grow inverted, which is effected by a twist of the footstalk, and afford an excellent example of LINNaeUS's _Folium resupinatum_; the filaments, after the pollen is discharged, turn upwards, and the antherae become almost globular.
It is usually propagated by parting its roots in Autumn.
Our figure was drawn from a plant which flowered extremely well in the stove of Messrs. GRIMWOOD and Co. Kensington.
[126]
ALYSSUM DELTOIDEUM. PURPLE ALYSSUM.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
TETRADYNAMIA SILICULOSA.
_Generic Character._
_Filamenta_ quaedam introrsum denticulo notata. _Silicula_ emarginata.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
ALYSSUM _deltoideum_ caulibus suffrutescentibus prostratis, foliis lanceolato-deltoidibus, siliculis hirtis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p.
591._ _Sp. Pl. 908._
LEUCOJUM saxatile thymifolio hirsutum caeruleo-purpureum. _Bauh. Pin.
201._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 126]
Plants which flower early, and continue a long while in bloom, are deservedly preferred, more especially by those who content themselves with a partial collection; of that number is the present species of Alyssum, which begins to flower in March, and continues to blossom through April, May, and June, and, if favourably situated, during most of the summer.
It is properly a rock plant, being hardy, forming with very little care a neat tuft of flowers, and not apt to encroach on its neighbours.
May be propagated by parting its roots in Autumn, or by cuttings.
Is a native of the Levant, according to Mr. AITON; and cultivated by Mr. MILLER, in 1739, but omitted in the 6th 4to.
edition of his Dictionary: has usually been considered by the Nurserymen about London as the _hyperboreum_.
[127]
IXIA FLEXUOSA. BENDING-STALK'D IXIA.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.