370 Observations on the Lagustrcemia. 



Art. IV. Observations on the Lagerstroe^mia. By K. 



In referring to Loudon's Encyclopedia of Plants, we find this 

 plant designated as an inmate of the Bark stove, with the remark 

 quoted from Sweet, that this species, (i. e. L. regina,)is rather 

 difficult to preserve through lointer; it requires a good heat, and 

 but little water in ivinter season. L. regina is further described 

 as "a very handsome shrub, the flowers in panicles a span long, pale 

 rose-colored in the morning, growing deeper through the day, and 

 becoming pitrpZe in the evening," while the other species, indica, 

 is marked as having purple flowers. 



We believe that a great many of these particulars are decided- 

 ly erroneous. In an extensive collection, which we have exam- 

 ined, we find two kinds of lagerstrsemias differing so much in the 

 foliage, as undoubtedly to constitute two species; of these, one 

 bears pink, the other purple blossoms, without any variation of 

 color, as above stated. In '■'■Herbicr general de V Amateur, ^^ the 

 L. indica is exhibited with pink panicles of blossoms, and we 

 therefore consider the plants we have seen with purple flowers, 

 as L. regina, particularly as the specific characters of the leaves 

 of the former species agree with those attributed to it, in the 

 above French work. At any rate, however, whether the two 

 kinds we have seen are two distinct species, or only varieties, 

 they are unquestionably most splendid objects, and second to no 

 plants within our knowledge, as ornaments of the shrubbery or 

 lawn, towards the close of summer. It must, therefore, be high- 

 ly gratifying to all florists to know, thai, so far from being stove 

 plants, they may almost be ranked as hardy! We have seen a 

 plant, which has stood through several of our late severe winters 

 without protection, although, to be sure, severely damaged in its 

 branches ; probably a slight protection would be sufficient to 

 preserve even the ends of the slender twigs, from which the 

 flower-buds proceed, and which, if injured, prevent its blooming 

 the ensuing season. 



To make sure of its preservation, it should be treated as figs, 

 pomegranates, and other half-hardy plants are often kept, by tak- 

 ing them up with the soil adhering to their roots, and putting them 

 into winter quarters, under the stage of the green-house, or in a 

 dry cellar, carefully preserving them from any damp, or other ac- 

 cumulated moisture. 



One more criticism we must hazard respecting this plant: it is 

 not, as Loudon imagines, the tree known at the south, as the 

 Pride of India,* with which, he tells us, the streets of Savannah 



* Wdc Encyclopedia of Gardening, article A7ncrican Gardening, 



