Tas. 6607. 
SELEN TA AUREA. "i 
Native of Arkansas. 
Nat. Ord. CeucIFERm.—-Tribe ALYSSINER. 
Genus SeLenta, Nutt. ; (Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Pl. vol. i. p. 72.) 
SELENIA aurea; spithamea, glaberrima, a basi ramosa, ramis gracilibus laxe foliosis, 
foliis lineari-oblongis pinnatifidis, segmentis lanceolatis acutis grosse pauci- 
serratis, floribus gracile pedicellatis in axillis superioribus et in racemum 
subcorymbosum foliosum terminalem dispositis, sepalis lineari-oblongis flavo- 
viridibus, petalis obovato-spathulatis aureis patentibus sepalis duplo longioribus, 
siliqua lineari-oblonga compressa stylo elongato recto terminata, valvis 
membranaceis reticulatis costa nulla, septo membranaceo interdum incompleto, 
seminibus quovis loculo 4-6, orbicularibus compressis marginibus cartilagineo- 
alatis, cotyledonibus accumbentibus. 
S. aurea, Nutt. in Journ. Acad. Philad. vol. v. p. 132, t.6; Torr, et Gray, Fl. 
N, Am. vol. i. p. 99; Gray Gen. Lil. vol. i. p. 158, t. 67. 
North America is not a favoured country in respect of 
either the variety or beauty of its Cruciferous vegetation. 
It has nothing to compare in stature or boldness of foliage — 
with the Brassicas, Crambes, and Isatis of the Old’ World; © 
nothing so showy as our Alyssums, Arabis, Lunaria, 
Aubrietia, Malcolmia, and Iberis; nothing so sweet as our. 
Mathiolas, Cheiranthus, Hesperis, and Erysimum; nor 
has it a herald of earliest spring like our Draba yerna. © 
Nevertheless, Selenia aurea may claim a place in every 
garden, whether for the colour or odour of its flowers, or 
for the considerable time it remains in flower, in which 
point it contrasts favourably with the fugacious nature-of 
many annual Crucifers. a 
The genus Se/enia is a very peculiar one, consisting of 
only two species, natives of the dry North American 
regions of Arkansas and Texas, towards the eastern base 
of the Rocky Mountains. The specimen here figured was 
raised from seed sent to the Royal Gardens by Professor 
Asa Gray, which flowered in the open border of the 
Herbaceous Grounds in June of last year. 
FEBRUARY Ist, 1882. 
a 
