Tab. 4312 . 
ACHIMENES cupreata. 
Copper-leaved Jchwienes. 
Nat. Ord. Gesneriace^.—^Didynamia Angiospermia. 
Gen. Char. Calyck tuhus ovario adnatus, limbus 5-partituSj lobis lanceolatis. 
Corolla lubuloso-infundibuliformis basi bine saepe gibba, limbo piano 5-lido, 
lobis subaequalibus subrotundis. Stamina Ac, didynama, antheris non cohaerentibus. 
Rudimentum stam. quinti coroUae basi, inferne impositum. Nectarium glandu- 
losum annulare tenue. Stylus in stigma vix incrassatum obliquum aut sub- 
bilobum abeuns. Capmla semibilocularis bivalvis, placentis parietalibus snb- 
sessdibus.—Herbae Americance erectee villosce. Folia opposita aut lernaio-verti- 
cillata petiolata dentata. Pedicelli unijlori axillares. Corollas coccineeB aut 
purpureee, DC. 
Achimenes cupreata ; repens stolonifera undique pubescenti-hirsuta, foliis ellip- 
ticis petiolatis serratis reticulatim rugosis coloratis, pedunculis axiUaribus 
solitariis petiolo longioribus unifloris, calycis laxi profunde 5-partiti, 
laciniis subspathulatis inaequaUbus, corollas tubo calycem subduplo superante 
curvato intus macidato ore limbriato limbi patenti laciniis rotundatis planis 
ciUato-dentatis, staminibus styloque inclusis, ovario hirsuto bine basi 
nni-glanduloso. 
A new and highly interesting species of Achimenes, remarkable 
for the dark-copper colour on the upper side of its rather large, 
elliptical leaves (not unlike, in hue, those of the copper-coloured 
beech), purplish-rose beneath, and the rich scarlet flowers, with 
the segments of the limb, beautifully toothed and ciliated. It 
was detected by Mr. Purdie, on moist banks, near Sona, New 
Grenada, and from seeds sent by him in September, 1845, to 
the Royal Gardens, plants were reared which flowered in April, 
1847. It requires the same treatment as other species of Achi¬ 
menes. A shallow pan is soon filled Yvith it owing to the 
extraordinary stoloniferous nature of the plant; among the dark 
coppery leaves the bright flowers have a very pretty effect. 
13escr. Hoot a much-jointed rhizoma. Stems vailing in 
length, creeping, branched, and stoloniferous, sending out 
radicles abundantly from the procumbent branches. A main 
branch rises erect a few inches from the ground, and this portion 
seems to bear the flowers and the largest leaves. Leaves hairy, 
JULY 1st, 1847. 
