No. 639. 
TRADESCANTIA CRISTATA. 
Class, Order. 
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
A native of the island of Ceylon, whence 
it was introduced about the year 1770. It 
requires the stove heat, and although by 
some considered only an annual, it has lived 
with us through several years, the stems 
decaying every autumn, and new ones 
shooting up in the spring. They grow to 
about the height of two feet, and flower at 
the top, the usual time for which is in July 
or August. It may be increased by separat- 
ing the roots in the month of April: they 
should be potted in rich loam, and have a 
good supply of water while growing up, 
after which a smaller portion will be suffi- 
cient. 
VOL. Vii. N 
