Tas. 4431. 
GESNERIA picra. 
Painted Gesneria. 
Nat. Ord. GeEsNERIACEH.—DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. 
Gen. Char. (Vide supra, Tas. 4217.) 
GusNeERIA picta ; tota velutino-hirsutissima, caule erecto elongato, foliis ovatis 
acuminatis crenato-serratis oppositis ternisque discoloribus inferioribus 
longe petiolatis lamina basi hine decurrente, racemis elongatis foliosis, 
pedicellis aggregato-verticillatis foliis floralibus brevioribus unifloris, calycis 
tubo rotundato-hemisphzerico dentibus 5 parvis erectis, corolla cylindracea 
subtus parum ventricosa ore contracto limbo parvo 5-lobo zquali maculato, 
staminibus styloque inclusis, glandulis hypogynis 5 quorum 3 basi con- 
junctis. 
8. minus hirsuta, foliis floralibus majoribus, corollis minoribus, foliis subtus 
pallidioribus. 
Two Gesnerias have been brought to my notice lately from 
Columbia ; the one here represented, sent home to the Royal 
Gardens by Mr. Seemann, the other introduced by Messrs. 
Veitch and Son, through their collector, Mr. William Lobb. I 
cannot find that either of them will accord with any described _ 
species. I have little hesitation then in considering them 
new ; but although there are some discrepancies, as above in- © 
dicated, I think the two may, without much violence to nature, 
be considered the same species. Both are exceedingly beau- 
tiful, not only in the rich colour of the copious flowers, but in 
that of the underside of the leaves, and in the fine velvety texture 
of the upperside of the foliage. The blossoming continues 
through the summer and autumn, and till late in November. 
They require the heat of the stove. 
Descr. Stem herbaceous, two to three and more feet in- 
height, densely clothed with purple-red down, mingled with long 
fine spreading hairs. Leaves opposite or ternate, ovate, very 
airy, acuminate, crenately serrate, the lower ones on long 
petioles which are very hirsute, and which have one side of the 
lade decurrent on the petiole. Floral leaves on short petioles 
MARCH Ist, 1849. 
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