oblanceolate, 2—4 in. long, acuminate, minutely toothed 
chiefly above the middle, puberulous underneath. Flowers 
axillary, solitary, almost sessile, 3$—4 in. across. Sepals 
5, connate at the base, ovate-oblong, about 4 of an in. 
long. Petals 5, white, obovate, rounded, minutely 
toothed. Stamens numerous, purple; anthers blue. Seed- 
vessel ovoid, woody, about $ in. in diameter, opening down 
the backs of the five cells. Seeds one or two in each cell, 
small, lenticular.— W. B. Hemsury. 
Cultiv.—Coming from the coast regions of the South- 
eastern United States this shrub should be given a 
sheltered position, for it is more likely to be injured by 
persistent exposure to north and east winds than by tem- 
porary spells of severe cold. At Kew it has passed 
through the winters of the last ten years without suffering. 
A moisture-loving plant, it should be planted only where 
it is not likely to suffer from drought. It loves a peaty 
soil, and if peat is not naturally present in the soil a 
proportion of one-third should be added.—W. J. Bray. 
Figs. 1 and 2, anthers ; 3, pistil:—all enlarged. 
