Flor'icultiiral and, Botanical Notices. 223 



one of the most beautiful and important plants for the orna- 

 ment of our gardens, which has been introduced for a long 

 time. We have said it was one of the most important plants. 

 In effect, may Ave not be permitted to think there is not one 

 species so distinguished for its deep and unusual color, or for its 

 brilliant foliage, covered beneath with curious starry scales, 

 and who' can foretel what a fruitful source of producing new 

 varieties it will be, in the hands of our clever florists, by cross- 

 ing with the rhododendrons of India, — those of Asia Minor, — 

 of America, and of Europe? In the mean time, its large and 

 numerous flowers, of a deep orange, scattered with several 

 purple spots ; its ten stamens of a bright crimson hue, relieved 

 by a starry, rose-colored throat ; its fine and ample shining 

 foliage, of the deepest green, &c., will command the approba- 

 tion of all amateurs without difliculty." 



It will thrive in the greenhouse, coming, as it does, from a 

 high elevation, but its great value will be for producing new 

 and elegant hybrids between our American species, which, 

 without losing their hardiness, will be greatly enhanced in the 

 diversity of their colors. {Flore des Serres, Dec.) 



58. ScuTELLA^jA Ventena^i Hook. Ventenats Scutellaria. 



{Lamidcea.) South America. 



A sreenhonse plant ; willi scarlet flowers ; appearing in autumn ; increased by cuttings ; culti- 

 vated in leaf mould, loam, and sai.d. Flore des Serres, 1847, pi. 295. 



A pretty species, with spikes of scarlet flowers, appearing 

 in autumn. " We have it," says Van Houtte, "now blooming 

 under our own eyes, at the moment we write (3d Nov ) It 

 has been in flower more than three months, and we can affirm 

 conscientiously, that it is, for the stove, truly a most ornamental 

 plant, on account of the numerous terminal spikes of deep 

 scarlet flowers." It is readily increased by cuttings. {Flore 

 des Serres, Dec.) 



59. Pentarha^phia cube'nsis Decaisne Cuba Pentarhaphia. 



(Gesweracese.) Cuba. 



a stove plant ; growin?t\vo feet lilijh ; with orange-colored tlowers ; appearing in summer ; in- 

 creased by cuttings ; cultivated in le.if inoiUd, loam, ai.d sand. Flore des cerres, lt)47, pi. ,97. 



A very pretty gesneraceous plant, of a shrubby habit, pro- 

 ducing a profusion of pendulous, orange-colored, tubular blos- 

 soms throughout the autumn months. The stem is erect, reg- 



