BRIEF NOTICES OF NEW OK RARE PLANTS. 95 



BRIEF NOTICES OF NEW OR RARE PLANTS. 



Bryonia Abyssinica. (Cucurbitacecs.) — Everybody knows the common Bryony of our hedges, B. 

 dioica with its greenish white flowers and small red berries produced on different plants. The Bryonia 

 Abyssinica is a far more remarkable plant, and has the immense advantage of producing its male 

 and female flowers on the same plant. Its habit resembles that of most other plants of 

 the Cucumber tribe, to which it belongs. The root is perennial, like that of the common 

 Bryony, but the stems are of only annual duration, four-edged, and bearing smooth, alternate 

 leaves of a palmate lobed form, each of which is accompanied by a tendril, by which the 

 plant attaches itself. The flowers are yellowish, and usually in pairs from the axils of the 

 leaves ; they possess, however, but little attraction, and resemble in their structure those of the 

 common species. They are succeeded by an oval berry, which, when full grown, is as large as a 

 moderate sized plum ; at the first stage of ripeness they are of an orange yellow colour, 

 which deepens as the fruit approaches maturity, until it ultimately assumes a clear red tint ; as the 

 berries are not all ripe at one period, a considerable variety of shades is seen upon the same plant 

 which greatly enhances the effect. For a trelissed arcade, or any other situation where climbers are 

 grown, it will prove highly ornamental when in fruit. The plant appears to be easily cultivated, 

 and although a hardy perennial, will flower and fruit the first season if sown early on heat ; it grows 

 from eight to ten feet or more high. We hope during the present season to be able to give our 

 readers a figure of this novelty. 



Sandersonia aurantiaca. (Liliacece.) — A remarkable new bulb from d'Urban and the Swart-Kop 

 Hills, near Natal, discovered by the gentleman whose name it bears in 1851. Its stems and foliage 

 resemble those of the Polygonatum, or Solomon's Seal, but the flowers are very different. They are 

 large and drooping, hanging singly from the axils of the upper leaves, on stalks two inches long ; ot 

 an orange colour, and a sub-globose campanulate form, with six shallow vertical furrows ; at the 

 bottom of the flower are six nectariferous cavities, which project externally, forming so many short, 

 but distinct incurved spurs ; stamens six, style one, stigmas three, nearly as long as style ; ovary 

 three-celled, many-seeded. Sir W. Hooker is doubtful whether it should be classed with the Lily- 

 worts, or with SmilacecB ; it appears to connect the two Orders. Figured in Botanical Magazine 

 for May, 1853. 



Daphne Japonica. ( Tliymelacem.)— Although this species is not entirely new, it has hitherto 

 been classed with greenhouse plants. The experience of the past winter proves, however, that it is 

 quite hardy, and it will be a most valuable addition to our evergreen shrubs. It has handsome 

 variegated oval foliage, and produces in April an abundance of reddish purple flowers, which are 

 very fragrant, at the summit of the branches. It will succeed in almost any soil, and grows rapidly ; 

 height, from three to four feet. It should be in every garden, being far more ornamental than any 

 other hardy species. 



Potentili.a striata formossissima. — A very interesting new variety of this handsome genus, 

 remarkable both for the colour and size of its flowers. They are said to be two inches in diameter, 

 of a fine yellow ground, streaked with crimson ; something in the way of Smoutii, but much finer. 

 It is supposed to be a hybrid, between insignis and Menziesii or JRusselliana. 



Petunia PHJBiaOEA, variety, Prince Camille de Rohan. — A striking seedling variety, obtained by 

 M. Van Houtte in 1852. Its flowers arc very large, of a fine form, deep crimson ground, bordered 

 with a broad band of a fine green colour. Said to be an extraordinary plant. Botli this and 

 the preceding plant arc to be bad of the London Florists. 



