SEA-LAVENDER. 339 



SEA-LAVENDER. 



STATICE. 



PLUMBAGINE^, PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. 



The Scolloped-leaved Sea-lavender has a yellow flower 

 with a handsome blue calyx, handsomer than the flower 

 itself. It retains its beauty when dry, and is so pre- 

 served with other flowers in winter. 



The Rough-leaved, a native of Barbary and the South 

 of Europe, has pale blue flowers. The Plaintain-leaved, 

 a Russian, has white flowers : these three kinds are bien- 

 nial. 



The Triangular-stalked, from the Canary islands ; the 

 Narrow-leaved-shrubby, from Siberia; and the Broad- 

 leaved-shrubby, from Sicily, are perennials : these may be 

 increased by cuttings planted in July. 



They should be kept moderately moist ; and, with the 

 exception of the third, must be sheltered in the winter, ad- 

 mitting fresh air in mild weather. 



Thrift, which was the predecessor of Box as an 

 edging for flower-borders, is of this genus : the bright 

 scarlet variety is very pretty. It is named Thrift from its 

 readiness to thrive in any soil, situation, climate, air, fog, 

 or smoke. It is also called Mountain-pink, Sea-pink, 

 Lady's-cushion, and Sea-gilliflower : it may be increased 

 by parting the roots in autumn. The French call it, ga- 

 ^on d'Espagne [Spanish turf] ; gazon iV Olijmpe [turf of 

 Olympus] ; oeillet de Paris [Parisian pink] ; herhe a sept 

 tiges [herb with seven stalks] : the Italians, statice ; pianfa 

 da settefusti [plant with seven stalks]. 



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