194 



HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



a small bract, and less perfectly developed ones are at every joint, 

 whence spring the wiry flower stalks in fours, threes, and twos, 

 of various lengths and a ruddy colour. The panicles are lax and 

 bending ; the flowers, too, are pendent ; calyx, five-parted and 

 sharply toothed; stamens, four, and long as petals; anthers, large 

 and cream coloured, style long and protruding. The leaves are 

 radical, and have long, hairy, bending stalks ; the main ribs are 

 also hairy; beneath, they are of a deep green colour, bald, shining, 



Fia. 71. OXTKISIA COCCINEA. 

 (Plant, one-fourth natural size; 1, blossom, one-half natural size.) 



veined and wrinkled; their form is somewhat heart-shaped, 

 sometimes oval, lobed, but not deeply, and unevenly notched; 

 they grow in dense masses to the height of Gin. 



It is said to like a peaty soil, in which I have never tried it. 

 In the management of this plant I have found position to be the 

 main desideratum ; the soil may be almost anything if it is kept 

 moist and sweet by good drainage, but Ourisia coccinea will not 

 endure exposure to hot sunshine ; even if the soil is moist it will 



