MARVEL OF PERU 471 



but with both calyx and corolla inflated. The principal species is 

 P. virginiana, introduced from North America in 1683. It is a perennial 

 with flesh-coloured or purple flowers, from July to September. There 

 are several varieties, of which speciosa, with the panicles in dense spikes, 

 is the best. The remarks on cultivation and propagation of Dracocepha- 

 lum apply to this. 



Perilla (said to be the Indian name). Two or three half-hardy 

 annuals, of which P. ocymoides (Ocimum-like) var. crispa is sometimes 

 grown as a bedding plant on account of its purple-black foliage. The 

 rosy flowers are small and insignificant. This variety is of garden origin, 

 and usually called P. nankinense in seedsmen's lists. The parent is a 

 native of India and China. Introduced 1770. 



MARVEL OF PERU 



Natural Order Nyctagine^. Genus Mirahilis 



MiRABiLis (Latin, mirahilis, admirable, wonderful). A genus of about 

 ten species of tuberous-rooted perennial herbs, with opposite leaves and 

 showy flowers. These are perianths; what appears to be the calyx 

 being really an involucre one- or many -flowered. The perianth is 

 tubular or funnel-shaped ; the stamens five, united at their base. The 

 species are restricted in range to the warmer parts of America, and to 

 the West Indies. 



History. MirobUis Jalapa, the Marvel of Peru, has been an 



ornament of British gardens for more than three hundred 

 years. For a long period it was thought that the drug Jalap was 

 obtained from this plant, hence its specific name. It was ascertained 

 later to be prepared from Ip>omea p>urga. The marvellous character of 

 the species consists in the fact that on one plant flowers of several colours 

 are produced. The French designate it Belle de nuit, in consequence of 

 its flowers being usually at their best at night. In the West Indies the 

 species are called Four-o'clock Flowers, that being the time of day when 

 they usually open. In English gardens where the sun is not seen so 

 regularly they frequently remain open all day. M. dichotoma was 

 introduced from Mexico in 1850, M. l&iigifiora from Mexico in 1759, 

 and M. multijlmxi from California in 1876. 



Principal Species. MiRABILIS DICHOTOMA (divided in two). Stem forking, 



2 or 3 feet high. Leaves oval. Flowers yellow: July. 

 Greenhouse perennial. 



