( 2099 ) 



MuSSJENDA PUBESCENS. CHINESE MtSS^ENDA. 



Class and Order. 

 Pentandria Monogynia, 



Generic Character. 



Cor. infundibuliformis. Stigmata 2, crassiuscula. Baxca 

 oblonga, infera. Sem. quadrifariam disposita. 



Specific Character and Synonyms. 



Mussjenda pubescens ; ramis foliisque pubescentibus, tubo 

 corollae multoties longiore laciniis calycinis. Hort. Kew. 

 ed. alt. 1. p. 372. 



Cum Mun fa. Chinese drawings, in the library of Sir 

 Joseph Banks. 



The beauty and singularity of this plant arise from a very 

 unusual deviation from the ordinary structure ; the free part 

 of the calyx is divided into very narrow subulate segments ; 

 in our specimens about half the length of the tube of the 

 corolla (Dryander says in the Hortus Kewensis many times 

 shorter). But what is singular is, that in many, but not all 

 of the flowers, one of these segments, and one only, expands 

 into an ovate thin leaf or kind of bracte of a very white colour, 

 veined and more or less tinged with green. 



There are several other species of Muss^nda which pro- 

 duce similar bractes, varying however in form and colour, 

 Mussjenda pubescens is a native of China and succeeds well 

 in a good greenhouse. We were favoured with the specimen 

 from which our drawing was made by Mr. William Kent, 

 from his very fine collection at Clapton. Flowers most part 

 -of the Summer 



