18 Tradcscantia Fireinicd. 



nine to twelve or fifteen inches long, tapering to a gradual acumina- 

 tum, same colour on cither surface, somewhat succulent, amplexi- 

 caulc, and sheathing at base, channelled, striated, and undulated, 

 often edged with red. Peduncles umbellate, pubescent, numerous, 

 drooping when in bud. but during and after florescence, erect. Ca- 

 lix covered with a dense, whitish pubescence. Flower consisting 

 of three, ovate, wrinkled petals, of a very delicate succulent texture, 

 and imperial-purple colour, with a green or white, flat, broad stripe 

 in the centre of the petals. They are evanescent, one flower only 

 continuing twenty-four hours ; the petals become dissolved into a 

 kind of jelly during the night of the day on which they expand, and 

 are wrinkled up almost to nothing. They occasionally vary from 

 imperial-purple to Berlin-blue, in the shade. Near the umbel there 

 is one bract-like leaf, much shorter than the other. Stamens six, 

 filaments imperial-purple, finely and delicately fringed with cilia? of 

 the same hue. Anthers horizontal, oblong, convex or flat, saffron- 

 yellow. Pistil purple. Stigma and germ straw-yellow. Grows on 

 the sandy banks of tide rivers, the margins of creeks, and simi- 

 lar situations throughout the Union. Flowers in May and June. 

 It delights in moisture and loose sandy soil. 



This plant is readily increased by parting its long, fibrous roots, and 

 setting them out in suitable situations in the autumn, as well as by sow- 

 ing the seeds. In this manner the plant is cultivated and increased in 

 Europe, where for nearly a century it has been known and admired. 



