DICLYTKA CHEYSANTHA. *■** 



DICLYTRA CHUYSANTHA. 



Golden-flowered Diclytra. 

 Linnean Glass— Diadewhia. Order— Moxogyxia. Natural Order— Ftjmariace;e. 



Gkeat as are our objections to uncalled-for changes of nomenclature, it being 

 now clearly proved that the word Diclytra* is that originally chosen by Borck- 

 hausen to characterise this genus, we have no alternative but at once to discard 

 the now familiar Diclytra, and to adopt in its stead the rival designation. Both 

 names are almost equally appropriate, though their meanings are slightly different ; 

 Diclytra signifying 'two sheaths,' in reference to the stamens and style being 

 enclosed in a double envelope; Diclytra, 'two spurs,' in allusion to the projecting 

 heels of the two outer petals ; but the law of priority decides the question. The 

 difference between the two names, whether in spelling or pronounciation is, 

 however, so slight, that no inconvenience is likely to result from the change. 



The new accession to the genus which we now figure, although inferior in beauty 

 to the well known D. spectabilis, will, nevertheless, become in time, we have no 

 doubt, quite as popular ; its different tint, and later period of flowering, giving 

 it a distinct and independent claim for public favour. 



It is a hardy herbaceous perenial, growing two feet or more high, with foliage 

 twice or thrice pinnate, the ultimate segments being narrow, smooth and pointed. 

 Their colour is a glaucous green, resembling that of the common Bue. The flower 8 

 are borne in long terminal, erect panicles, much branched, and are of a rich golden 

 yellow, which contrasts very pleasingly with the greyish foliage. At the base of 

 each pedicel is a small broad bract ; the calyx, as in all the plants of this and the 

 allied genera, is very small, and consists of two broad blunt sepals, at the base of 

 the flower on each side, near the junction of the outer petals. These are much less 

 inflated at their base than in D. spectabilis, and are also less reflexed. The two 

 inner petals are very broad at their tips, and are remarkable for a curious wing-like 

 inflated appendage or ridge which extends along the back of the petal. This crest 

 occurs in the common D. formosa, and some others, but in a much smaller form. 



The internal economy of the flower presents the usual features of this Order. 

 The stamens are in two parcels of three each, the filaments being more or less 

 distinct, and not united into a band as in Corydalis and Fumaria ; near the 

 base they are slightly curved, but less so than in spectalilis, where they conform 

 themselves to the inflated spur. The stigma is very broad, and ends abruptly, 



♦ Sea page 128. 



