Tas. 6691, 
RODGERSIA PODOPHYLLA. 
Native of Japan. 
Nat. Ord. SaxtrraGacex.—Tribe SaxIFRAGER. 
Genus Roperrsta, 4. Gray; (Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Pl. vol. i. p- 635.) 
Roperrsia podophylla ; rhizomate crasso, caule simplici, foliis radicalibus maximis 
longe petiolatis palmatim v. pedatim 5-foliolatis, foliolis cuneato-vel deltoideo- 
obovatis acuminatis integris v. 3-fidis argute serratis, stipulis membranaceis 
petiolo adnatis, foliis caulinis brevius petiolatis 3-6-sectis, panicula ampla 
nuda ramosa, floribus parvis luteo-albis in cymas scorpioideas puberulas 
dispositis, 
R, podophylla, 4. Gray in Mem. Amer. Acad. Ser. 2, vol. vi. p. 389; Miguel, 
Prolus, Fl. Jap. p. 260; Regel Gartenfl. vol. xx.p. 355, t. 708 (R. japonica); 
Franch. et Sav. Fl. Jap. vol. i. p. 144. So Mokou, vol. viii. t. 27: 
Though so dissimilar in habit, Rodgersia is nearly allied 
to Sazifraga, being placed between that genus and Astilbe, 
from which latter it differs chiefly in the connate carpels 
and the scorpioid inflorescence. On the other hand, in the 
stout rhizome and large radical leaves it recalls the noble" 
Saxifraga peltata (Plate 6074) of California. The specimen 
here figured is a small one; for the leaves attain upwards 
of a foot and a half in diameter, and the individual segments 
ten inches in length and eight in breadth; whilst the panicle 
in dried specimens preserved in the Herbarium at Kew are 
ten inches long and broad; under cultivation, no doubt, 
larger dimensions will be attained. 
The genus Rodgersia was named after Commodore 
Rodgers, of the United States N avy, the Commander of 
a squadron that explored the shores of Japan. In the 
words of the author of the genus, the latter is dedicated to 
him “in acknowledgment of the enlightened and generous 
interest which he took in the naturalists of his squadron, 
and of his constant care to facilitate their explorations. 
And the name is more appropriately conferred upon the 
present very striking plant, since Captain Rodgers was 
himself one of its discoverers.” : 
MAY Ist, 1883. 
