CHAP. LV. 



GROSSULA CEiE. lil^BES. 



975 



obtuse. Flowers of a deep red. Calyx 

 cylindrical, 4-parted ; the lobes ob- 

 long, obtuse. Petals of the length of 

 the lobes of the calyx. Stamens 4 ; 

 in length double that of the calyx. Fi- 

 laments red. Style as long as the 

 stamens, simple, red. (Dec. Prod., iii. 

 p. 477., under R. stamineum ; and 

 p. 478., under R. speciosum.) A native 

 of America, on the western coast, and 

 of California, on the authority of Mr. 

 Menzies, who first discovered it there. 

 Introduced by A. B. Lambert, Esq., 

 in 1829, and now to be met with 

 nearly in all good collections. The 

 shining leaves and large crimson glit- 

 tering blossoms (resembling those of the fuchsia) of this species render 

 it a most desirable acquisition to the flower-garden and shrubbery. The 

 leaves, in favourable situations, are frequently retained during great part 

 of the winter ; so that it may almost be considered as an evergreen. 

 It will grow by cuttings of the old or young wood, but not so readily as 

 most other species ; and, therefore, it is generally propagated by pegging 

 down the shoots quite flat, and covering them with an inch of soil, as recom- 

 mended for the propagation of the common plum for stocks, (p. 690.) When 

 plants are wanted expeditiously, this ought to be done in a pit, or bed of 

 earth covered with a frame, to which heat can be applied by linings. Plants 

 of this species do not grow so rapidly as most others of the gooseberry 

 sections ; and their branches arch over and droop in such a manner, as 

 not to display the flowers to advantage, unless the branches are raised at 

 least to the level of the eye. For this reason, the plant ought either to 

 be grown on elevated rockwork, or trained to an espalier or wall ; and, in 

 the latter case, after it has attained a certain height, the lateral shoots may 

 be allowed to protrude from the espalier or wall, when they will display 

 their flowers to very great advantage. Judging from the plants in the 

 Horticultural Society's Garden, we should not think that this species, as 

 a detached bush, will attain a greater height than 3 ft. or 4 ft. Price of 

 plants, in the London nurseries, 2s. 6d. each. 



a. Sorts of Gooscbenies not yet 'introduced belonging to the Subsection having 



red Flowers. 



R. Menzies'ri Pursh, R. ferox Smith, is a native of California, at Port Trinidad, which appears 

 to differ little, if at all, from R. speciosum. 



R. microphyllum H. B. et Kunth is a native of the mountains of Mexico, at an elevation of 

 4200 ft, with the leaves small and nearly reniform, and the peduncles very short and 2-flowered. 

 It grows to the height of from 4 ft. to 6 ft. 



§ ii. Botrycdrpum Dec. 



Sect. Char. Fruit disposed in racemes ; the plants having the prickles of the 

 preceding section (Grossularia), and the racemose flowers of the following 

 section (Ribcsia). (Do?i's Mill., iii. p. 185.) Plants intermediate between 

 gooseberries and currants. 



ai 13. R. orient ale Poir. The Eastern Currant-like Gooseberry. 



Identification. Poir. EncycL Suppl., 2. p. 856. ; Desf. Arb., 2. p. 88. ; Don's Mill., 3. p. 185. 



Spec. Char., $c. Plant rather prickly. Leaves 3 — 5-lobed, somewhat reni- 



formly orbicular, cut, hairy ; lobes rather deep, obtuse. Petioles hairy. 



Racemes erectish, few-flowered. Bracteas longer than the flowers. Style 



bifid at the apex. Flowers greenish yellow. Fruit like those of the cur- 



3t 



