254 J^otices of new and beautiful Plants 



introduced about 1834. Cultivated in common soil; Increased by the division of the tubers 

 and by cutlinga. Pax. Mag. Bot., Vol. V, p. 49. 



Of the many elegant and interesting species of this genus, al- 

 ready known in England, "some of which, especially T. trico- 

 lorum have become such universal favorites, the one now for the 

 first time figured, surpasses all others with which we are acquaint- 

 ed." It is a long time since it was introduced, but hitherto, from 

 a want of a knowledge of its proper cultivation, it has only pro- 

 duced very weak and imperfect blossoms, possessing few attrac- 

 tions. It was supposed to be a green-house species, and treated 

 accordingly, but all attempts to grow it successfully have proved 

 unavailing. Aware of these facts, Messrs. Young, the enter- 

 prising nurserymen of Epsom, were induced to try the experi- 

 ment of placing the plants in the open ground, and, having a good 

 stock, they did so last year, in the following manner: — 



" In the early part of the summer of 1337, Mr. Young, of Ep- 

 som, from a laudable desire of ascertaining the true habits and 

 disposition of this plant, caused a number of plants of it to be 

 placed out in a bed in the open ground; as soon as ihey began to 

 grow, a few bushes were placed in the ground round each plant, 

 and in the course of the summer they grew so vigorously and 

 luxuriantly, as completely to cover the bushes which had been 

 placed for their support, and each plant formed a dense mass of 

 verdure, four feet high, and full six in diameter. This, compar- 

 ed with the weak and stinted manner in which they had grown 

 while kept in pots, was considered perfectly astonishing; still not 

 the slightest disposition to produce flowers was discovered. 

 However, about the latter end of September, the flowers began 

 to exhibit themselves from the axil of each leaf, and in the month 

 of October, each plant was most profusely studded with its elegant 

 blossoms. It is worthy of remark, that nature seems to have 

 furnished this plant with long flower-stalks, for the purpose of dis- 

 playing the flowers; for, although the plants might truly be said 

 to be literally covered with blossoms, every flower protruded it- 

 self beyond the leaves and branches, and stood out boldly and 

 advantageously to view; it is needless to add, that the eiFect pro- 

 duced was beautiful beyond description." 



In the latter part of October, a slight frost was experienced, 

 without doing any damage to the plants; but a severe one in No- 

 vember cut them off" to the soil, at the time the plants had at- 

 tained their highest state of flowering. After this the tubers were 

 taken up, and preserved, through the winter, in a dormant state. 

 If the plants had been put out earlier they would probably have 

 attained perfection in flowering much sooner, and have been de- 

 lightful all summer. 



The plants are easily propagated by the tubers or cuttings, and 

 will from this cause soon be found in every collection. The 

 species was inlrcduced by Mr. Drummond, from Texas, in 1834. 



