MARTYNIA fragrans. 

 Fragrant Martynia. 



DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. 

 Nat. ord. Pedaliace^e. 

 MARTYNIA. Botanical Register, vol. W.fol. 934. 



M. fragrans ; foliis cordatis angulatis grosse dentatis suboppositis long& pe- 

 tiolatis, racemo paucifloro, calycibus campanulatis obliquis plicatis, 

 bracteolis plano-convexis fungosis, floribus tetrandris. Bot. Reg. 1840. 

 misc. no. 206. 



In the Miscellaneous notices of this work for 1840, the 

 plant now figured was called " a half-hardy annual of very 

 great beauty and delicious fragrance." The accuracy of that 

 statement will now be seen, for surely so remarkable a flower 

 as that on the opposite page well deserves this eulogium. 



It is said to be a Mexican plant, from the vicinity of the 

 Real del Monte Mines. For my knowledge of it I am in- 

 debted to Mr. Marnock, of the nursery, Hackney, who has 

 also supplied the following memoranda concerning it. 



" I received the plant about midsummer, it was at the 

 time in bloom, and upwards of a foot in height. The first 

 spike of flowers was then opening, being produced from the 

 extremity of the branchless stem ; two lateral branches were 

 then produced, and these also bloomed from the extremity, 

 sending forth lateral opposite branches. In this way the plant 

 continued to grow, and in a pot of light rich earth attained 

 the height of three feet, and about the same extent in diameter. 

 It was sent to me from a distance of upwards of two hundred 

 miles, and was much injured by the journey ; it may therefore 

 be fairly inferred that under more favourable circumstances 

 this plant might be had in much greater perfection. To 

 grow it in a superior manner in pots, it will require the same 

 treatment as the Balsam. 



