PETR^A STAPELIA. 



NATURAL ORDER, VERBENACE/E. 





HE plant now under consideration is a native of South America, 

 and is not generally met with; in India it is considered a rare 

 object, but it deserves a place in every garden and repays any 

 trouble that may be taken in its culture. 



The lovely, blue, starlike sprays of blossom remind one at a distance 

 of the English creeper named "Wisteria," though the actual form of 

 the separate flowers is totally different. 



When not in blossom there is nothing pleasing or attractive in 

 the " Petrasa," for the leaves are small and very dry-looking, while the 

 stems are bare and have a barren ugly appearance. 



It is an extensively scandent shrub, requiring a strong framework 

 as a support ; the trunk often attaining to the size of a man's leg. 



It blossoms twice in the year, in February and October, but the 

 former is when the flowers show to the best advantage and the shrub 

 is at its greatest beauty ; at that time a more enchanting object the 

 eye could hardly rest upon. 



The mass of colour and graceful drooping heads of blossom are 

 most fascinating. 



The dark plum-coloured centre adds considerably to the general 

 beauty of the flower ; it is raised from the five blue petals, and is the 

 first to wither and fade. 



The seed capsules are in the centre of the flower, consequently, when 

 ripe, they drop with the petals, and are not left on the plant as is usually 

 the case. 



Plants have been raised by seed, but I always found cuttings by 

 far the most satisfactory, though layers also are successful. 



Occasionally young shoots appear from the parent shrub. 



It remains in blossom some time, and is one of the choicest Flora 

 that adorn our gardens. 



