GLOXINIAS 



445 



Though we shall distinguish between the species of the 

 two genera in the following descriptions, it is impossible 

 when regarding them from the horticultural standpoint to separate them. 

 Gloxinia macidata was the first species to be introduced (1739), and 

 when Sinningia ^peciosa was introduced in 1815, it was not as a 

 Sinning ia but as a Gloxinia. It is therefore not difficult to understand 

 how the one name, Gloxinia, serves in gardens for the very similar plants 

 of the two genera. 8. velutina was introduced in 1827, G. jmllidifiora 

 in 1844, Q, glabra 1847, 8. concinna 1860, and S. conspiciia 1868. Most 

 of the garden Gloxinias are really the offspring of S. apeciosa. Some, 

 however, are hybrids. G. diversifolia is believed to be one such, 

 of garden origin. 8. youngiana is a hybrid, resulting from the crossing 

 of S. speciosa and 8. velutina, whilst G. gesneroides is believed to have 

 originated from hybridising Gesnera donJceloMriana with a species 

 of Sinning ia. It should be noted that in the natural species the flowers 

 have a drooping tendency; whilst the aim of cultivation has been to 

 secure a more upright pose. Success has attended these efforts, and the 

 garden Gloxinias of to-day are more beautiful than their predecessors, 

 partly because their beauty meets the eye of the observer at a glance, 

 instead of being hidden by the drooping habit. 



Principaispecies. ^LOXINIA GLABRA (bald, smooth). Stem erect, un- 

 branched, 9 inches high. Leaves oval, toothed, smooth. 

 Flowers funnel-shaped, solitary, white, the yellow throat spotted with 

 purple; August. 



G. MACULATA (spotted). Stems unbranched, spotted, 2 to 3 feet high. 

 Leaves heart-shaped, doubly-toothed, smooth, dark green above, reddish 

 beneath. Flowers solitary, purplish blue, downy ; June to October. 



G. PALLiDiFLORA (pale-flowered). Stem erect, unbranched, 1 foot 

 high. Leaves broadly, irregularly oval, somewhat hairy above, faintly 

 toothed. Flowers pale blue, with concave lobes ; August. 



SiNNiXGiA CONCIXNA (neat). Stem about an inch long, red. Leaves 

 small, roundish-oval, with round teeth, and red stalks. Flowers lurid 

 purple and yellow, the throat spotted ; June to October. 



S. coxsPicuA (remarkable). Leaves oval-oblong, slightly heart- 

 sliaped at Ijase, toothed. Flowers yellow, the tube marked inside with 

 purple lines and dots: June to September. Whole plant hairy, about 

 1 foot high. 



S. SPECIOSA (showy). Stem short. Leaves oblong, round-toothed, 

 \elvety. Flowers violet, bell-shaped; September. The parent of the 

 popular garden Gloxinias. The var. albifloi^a has white flowers ; var. 

 caidescens has a longer, thicker stem, and larger leaves ; var. macropkylla 



III.— 31 



