975 
GARDENIA propinqua. 
Short-spined Gardenia. 
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Nat. ord. Rubiaceje. 
GARDENIA. Suprd, vol. l.fol. 73. 
G. propinqua; foliis ovato-cordatis undulatis acuminatis pubescentibus petio- 
’ latis, floribus fasciculatis terminalibus, spinis rectis infra-axillanbus. 
Frutex 6-8 -pedalis, ramulis teretibus leviter pubescentibus versus apicem 
spinis 4, rectis, decussatis, brevibus armatis. Folia ad apicem ramulonim 
congesta, petiolata, ovato-cordata, undulata, acuta, pubescentia,floribus 
paulb longiora. Flores magni, albi, terminates, fasciculati. Corolla hypo- 
crateriformis: tubo jftliformi, limbo rotato 5-partito, laciniis cordato-ovatis 
acutis, planis, tubo longioribus. Antherse semi-inclusa. 
A pretty hot-house plant, drawn at the Nursery of 
Mr. Colvill, in July 1824. It is so nearly related to 
Posoqueria dumetorum that we have little doubt that it 
will be eventually placed in that genus. The principal 
apparent difference between the two species consists in the 
larger flowers and differently-shaped leaves of the present 
plant. We also judge it to be closely akin to Gempa 
esculenta of Loureiro, a plant with smaller leaves, and long, 
straight, opposite spines. 
The fruit of P. dumetorum, if bruised and thrown into 
ponds where there are fish, soon intoxicates them. The fish 
are not esteemed the less from having been subject to the 
influence of this poison.* 
A shrub 6 or 8 feet high, with round slightly pubescent 
branches, which are armed towards their extiemities with 
4 short straight spines, placed crosswise. The leaves are 
