Tas. 6158. 
WAHLENBERGIA Toupsrosa. 
Native of Juan Fernandez. 
Nat. Ord. CamPANULACEm.—Tribe WAHLENBERGIEX. 
Genus Wantenperaia, Schrad.; (Endl. Gen. Pl., p. 516). 
WaAHLENBERGIA tuberosa; glaberrima, rhizomate e tuberibus epigeis confertis 
subglobosis diametro juglandis, caulibus gracillimis erectis 6—24-polli- 
caribus laxe ramosis et foliosis, foliis pollicaribus patulis linearibus acutis 
obtusisve dentatis 1-nerviis, floribus erectis apicem versus caulis 
paniculatis, ovario obconico, calycis segmentis linearibus _patenti- 
recurvis utrinque, 1—2-dentatis, corolla campanulata 4 poll. longa 
alba rubro-vittata, lobis brevibus recurvis, filamentis glabris tubo 
corollz ter brevioribus. 
I find no description answering to this very curious and 
beautiful plant, nor any specimens in the Herbarium, which 
is the more remarkable as the Island from which it comes has 
been visited by several botanists, who have detected there 
two other species of Waklenbergia. These are both much 
taller and stouter plants, with broader serrated leaves and 
much larger flowers. In the whole genus, which is a tole- 
rably uniform one in habit, I know of no feature so remark- 
able as the tuberous rootstock of this, which resembles a 
cluster of small potatoes placed on the top of the pot; the 
contrast of these grotesque objects, with the exquisitely grace- 
ful thread-like stems and profusion of pearl white rose-— 
streaked blossoms, is exceedingly striking, and recommends 
the plant as a most desirable one for greenhouse and probably 
out-of-door culture. Of course care must be taken not to over- 
water the plant when past flower, or the tubers will soon rot. 
Messrs. Veitch sent the plant here figured, in full flower in 
September of last year, together with another specimen, 
nearly two feet high. They received it from Juan Fernandez, 
where it was discovered by their collector, Mr. Downton, in 
1873. 
MARCH Ist, 1875. 
. 
