C 356 3 



Erica Massoni. Masson's Heath. 



OcTANDRlA MoNOGYNIA. 



Generic Character. 



Gil. 4-phyllus. Cor. 4-fida. FHamenta rcceptaculo inferta. 

 Anthers bifidas. Cap/. 4-locularis. 



Specific CharatJer and Synonyms. 



ERICA Mjjfotii anthcris muticis inclulis, corollis cylindricis 



groffis, floribus capitatis, foiiis oclofariis imbricatu 

 pubei'centibus. Linn. Suppl. p. 2-21. Ait. Hew. v. 2. 



P- 2 3- 

 ERICA Mafloni foiiis quaternis oblongis ferratis villous, 



floribus cylindricis vifcofis. Thanh. Prod. Cap. p. 71* 



This very magnificent African Heath is firft defcribed in 

 the Suppl. PL of the younger Linn.-f.us, and named in ho- 

 nour of Mr. Masson, whofe exertions at the Cape, where he 

 refided many years as collecior of the natural productions of 

 that fertile fpot, have fo eminently contributed to render the 

 royal collection at Kew, in this tribe of plants efpecialiy, rich 

 in the extreme. 



This Heath grows to a confidcrable height, and becomes 

 much branched, the branches are long and upright, covered 

 clofely with numerous hoary leaves, nearly cylindrical, molt 

 of thefe terminate in a large umbel of flowers, which con- 

 tinue a long while in bloom, and are fo extremely vifcous 

 that fcarcely a winged infeel can fettle on them and efcape 

 with its life ; the formidable \wafp fometimes becomes its 

 vitlim, as we once had an opportunity of leeing. 



When the Hort. Kew. was firft publifhcd, this fpecies had 

 not flowered with Mr. Aiton, it has fince done fo in many 

 collections near town, and no where in greater perfection than 

 at Meffrs. Lei and Kennedy's, Hammerfmith, on fome one 

 or other of whofe plants bloflbms may be feen during moll 

 of the fummer. 



It is raifed from cuttings with extreme difficulty, is not fo 

 eafily kept as fome others, and is more iufceptible of injury 

 from moifture, 



