( 4131 ) 



Begonia rubricaclis. Red-scaped 

 Begonia; or Elephant's Ear. 



Class and Order, 



MoNCECIA PoLYANDRIA. 



( Nat. Ord. — BegoniacejE. ) 



Generic Character. 



Masc. Calyx o. Corolla polypetala, petalis plerumque 

 4, inaequalibus. Fcem. Calyx o. Corolla petalis 4 — 9 

 plerumque inaequalibus. Styli 3 bifidi. Capsula triquetra, 

 alata, trilocularis, polysperma. 



Specific Name and Character. 



Begonia rubricaulis ; acaulis pubescenti-pilosa, foliis bre- 

 vipetiolatis oblique cordatis sinuato-lobatis serratis 

 rugosis basi profunde bilobis, lobis rotundatis imbri- 

 catis, scapis folio pluries longioribus crassis superne 

 paniculato-rarnosis, floribus speciosis, petalis 5 obova- 

 tis, fructu turbinato-triquetra, angulis duobus bre- 

 vissime alatis tertia ala maxima elongata. 



Our stoves are now becoming extremely rich in the 

 plants of this highly ornamental Genus of plants ; but it is 

 to be regretted that so many are introduced to our 

 gardens, without any record of their native countries. 

 Such is the case of the present species, which we have 

 received from the excellent Curator of the Birmingham 

 Botanic Gardens, without name or clue to its origin. I 

 find no description that will agree with it, and have, there- 

 tore, given it an appellation significant of the fine red 

 colour of the flower-stalks, which, together with the glossy 

 leaves, and large rose-coloured and white flowers, renders 

 the species peculiarly worthy of cultivation. It is in 

 perfection during the summer and autumnal months. 



Descr. 



