1265 



HELIANTHUS* lenticularis. 

 Californian Sun-flower. 



SYNGENESIA POLVGAMIA FRUSTRANEA. 



Nat. ord. CoMPOsiXiC. § Corymbiferae. 

 HELIANTHUS.— Suprd, vol. 6. fol. 508. 



H. lenticularis ; annuus, foliis ovatis acuminatis grosse serratis hispidis 



tripliveniis, pedunciilis monocephalis aequalibus. 

 H. lenticularis. Douglas in herb. Hort. Sac. 



Annuus. Caulis erectus, orgyalis v. ultra, hispidus. Folia ovata, longe 

 petiolata, grosse serrata, hispida, triplivenia. Capitula pedunculo hispido 

 insidentia, basi bibracteata. Involucrum squarrosum, planum, foliolis 

 ovatis, cuspidatis, hispidis. Flosculi radii 36, acuminati. Palese tri- 

 dentatce, fiosculis disci paulo breviores. Flosculi disci limbo iiitiis atro- 

 purpureo, extiis luteo. Pappus bicornis. 



This species of annual Sun-flower is nearly related to 

 H. tubaeformis, from which, according to Mr. Douglas, it 

 differs in not having the leaves cordate at the base, or the 

 peduncle fistular and thickened. It is a handsome plant, 

 growing in the Gardens 6 feet high, with much smaller 

 flowers than those of H. annuus. It was introduced by 

 Mr. Douglas from North-west America in 1827. Our 

 drawing was made in the Garden of the Horticultural 

 Society, in August 1828. 



We are informed by its discoverer that it is a variable 

 plant, abounding over the greater part of the temperate 

 countries situated in the interior and western coast of 

 North America. In sandy parched ground it is a diminu- 

 tive annual, scarcely a foot high ; while on the banks of 



* From >)A<o;, the sun, and «y5o?, a flower ; in allusion to the singular 

 phenomenon of the flowers of this genus turning to the sun in the morning, 

 and following him through his course in the day. 



