FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
anthers to its very tip, and in the petals there is a nearer approach to a 
claw. Ovary of five carpels inseparably adhering by their edges, but 
opening at the top. Natives of the warmer regions of the globe. 
The name Abutilon was formerly bestowed upon a 
History. gec ti on of the genus Sida, but on the discovery during the 
present century of several American species the genus was revised, and 
certain species were separated under the name Abutilon. To these 
others have been added in recent years, but very few of the species are 
of interest to gardeners, the forms generally grown and so deservedly 
popular being hybrids of garden origin. The objection chiefly made to 
the natural species is that they do not bloom freely enough for garden 
purposes; but in this respect the hybrids are quite satisfactory. The 
history of Abutilon as a garden plant may almost be said to have begun 
with the introduction of A. striatum from Brazil in 1837, though several 
others might occasionally have been found in greenhouses at an earlier 
date. A. vitifolium was introduced from Chili in the same year, and 
A. insigne from Colombia in 1851. A. megapotamicum came from 
the Rio Grande in 1864 and A. Darwini from Brazil in 1871. These 
with A. venosum practically complete the list of the natural forms 
recently grown in gardens, but even these are mostly obsolete now, except 
as stocks with which’to experiment in cross-fertilisation and the raising 
of improved hybrid forms. Of these there are now a very large number 
catalogued by the florists, and every year sees considerable additions 
to the list. 
Principal Species. We & ve the characters only of those original species 
that are still of garden-interest as the parents of the 
popular hybrids, and we would say on their behalf that they do not 
deserve to be let fall into utter neglect. 
Abutilon Darwini (Darwin’s). One of the parents of many of the 
popular garden hybrids. Stems about 4 feet, witli large broad leaves 
Flowers cup-shaped, bright orange veined with a deeper tint; April. 
A. insigne (remarkable). Stem covered with short hairs; about 6 
feet high. Leaves large, heart-shaped, wrinkled. Flowers large, produced 
from the axils, in hanging racemes; petals broad with edges turned back, 
purple - crimson with darker veining; winter. Sometimes called A. 
igneum. 
A. MEGAPOTAMICUM (from the big river). Stem, 3 feet, with small 
pointed leaves, and small drooping flowers. These are veiy freely 
produced, of a fine bell-shape, and of handsome appearance owing to 
the colour-contrasts: the sepals dark red, petals pale yellow, and the 
stamens dark brown. Flowering in autumn and winter. 
