QUAMOCLIT PENNATUM, 



NATURAL ORDER, CONVOLVULACEiE. 



HIS climber, which becomes almost a weed when once introduced 

 into a garden, is an annual. During the rains it is in great 

 beauty, and its bright green, feathery foliage is spangled over 

 bv the cheerful starlike flowers. 



It is of a twining, grasping nature, and woe betide any unfortunate 

 sapling or tender bush which comes into its clutches, for it will be 

 completely smothered in the embrace of the Quamoclit. 



The slender stems are of a bright green colour and succulent nature, 

 the leaves of the same bright green colour and very finely divided, while 

 the flower is of a vivid scarlet or pure white ; for there are two varieties. 



When these two varieties are growing together, the beauty and 

 brightness of the combination may be imagined. 



"When trained up a pole," remarks Ferminger, "this plant, as 

 seen from a distance, has somewhat the effect of a Cypress." 



" Quamoclit Phoeniceum " has very similar flowers to those of our 

 picture ; but the leaves are totally different, as they are thick and heavy, 

 and of a heart shape. This species flowers during the cold weather. 

 It is also a vigorous and aspiring climber. 



Students of Roxburgh and Willis will find this plant classed as 

 " Ipomaea Quamoclit," and the Natural Order given as " Lettsomiae " ; 

 but to the general botanist, I think the name at the head of this paper 

 will be the most familiar. 



This delicate, fragile-looking plant is found almost in every part of 

 India, and is so easily propagated by seeds scattered by the wind, that it 

 has often to be pulled up as a weed. 



I cannot find it alluded to in Drury, Ainslie, or other authorities as 

 useful, either medicinally or economically, and so conclude it is onK- 

 ornamental to our <rardens. 



