.44 



BERBERIS umbellata. 

 Umbellate Berberry. 



HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 

 Naf. ord. Bereerace^. 

 BERBERIS. L. Bot. Reg. 1840. /o?. 27. 



* Leaves simple, evergreen. Flowers racemose. 



B. umbellata; spinis gracilibus 3-partitis, foliis angustis obovato-oblongis in- 



tegerritnis mucronatis subtus glaucis, racemis foliis longioribus. 

 B. umbellata, Wall. herb. Don. si/st. I. 116. 

 B. angulosa, Wall. Cat. no. 1475. 



This is a hardy sub-evergreen bush, about three feet high, 

 growing freely in the common garden soil, flowering abun- 

 dantly in June, and easily increased either by seeds or layers. 



It was raised in the garden of the Horticultural Society, 

 from seeds received from the East India Company, at different 

 times, and under various names, but more particularly those 

 of B. Wallichiana and fioribunda. It is no doubt in many 

 other collections under this or similar names. B. fioribunda 

 however has spiny leaves, not at all glaucous on the under 

 side, and B. Wallichiana, which also difi^ers in those respects, 

 has sessile fascicles of flowers, and is quite another thing. 



This is easily known by its narrow, spineless leaves, 

 slightly glaucous beneath when fresh, and becoming more so 

 when dry. 



Dr. Wallich has distinguished a plant called B. angulosa 

 from his B. umbellata, but our specimens of it from him pre- 

 sent no tangible mark of distinction. As for the name um- 

 bellata, it is unfortunate that it has been introduced into 

 systematic works, for the shortness of the racemes, from which 

 circumstance it has been taken, is apparently accidental and 

 unimportant. 



