BIGNONIA VENUSTA. 



NATURAL ORDER, BIGNONIACE.E. 



fHE brilliant appearance this creeper exhibits when in full 

 blossom, in the months of February and March, cannot be 

 described. 



The branches of tubular orange-coloured flowers, drooping amidst 

 the bright, shining leaves, form a lovely spectacle. 



It requires a strong support, and will often climb up high trees. 

 The lower stems have a bare and unsightly appearance, if the plant is 

 allowed to get too straggling in its growth; it should, therefore, be 

 severely pruned to keep it within bounds. 



The tubular throat is sometimes two inches long, while the lip is 

 curved back, exposing the green stamens. 



There are some eight or ten flowers on each bunch, and when the 

 entire plant is covered with these gorgeous heads of blossom, it presents 

 a perfect blaze of colour, and is most ornamental. 



It is a native of India, and may be seen in all parts. If allowed to 

 trail on the ground it will send out roots at the joints of the leaves, 

 forming young plants. 



The usual mode of propagation, however, is by cuttings, which 

 take most readily. The young tendrils are of a pale, greenish colour, 

 very soft and pretty. 



I cannot find any flower of this name in Roxburgh, but his 

 description of " Bignonia Grandiflora " so agrees with this that I think 

 they must be identical. 



Many of the Bignoniaceae are large and handsome trees, but these I 

 have never seen. Roxburgh mentions one, " Bignonia Undulata," which 

 has the same coloured flowers as our specimen ; but it is a large tree, with 

 trunk as thick as a man's thigh. 



There is another pretty variety, called by Ferminger " Bignonia 

 Incarnata." It is almost white, with a deep lilac or purple inside the 

 throat. 



The leaves of this specimen are heart-shaped, some being three 

 or four inches long, smooth, and very numerous. 



