66 . The Nolana. 



NOLANA— THE NOLANA. 



Natural Order, Nolanaceae. Linnaean Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogy- 

 nia. Generic Distinctions : — calyx, five cleft ; corolla, campanulate, regu- 

 lar, plaited. Drupes usually five, containing each a three or four celled 

 nut. 



N. atriplicifolia. Stems procumbent, rather hairy ; calyx, campanulate, 

 with ovate lanceolate, acute, connivent segments ; leaves, spatulate, 

 radical ones large. (PI. 12.) 



The name of this genus is derived from the Latin word nola, 

 a little bell, and was given by Linnaeus to the first of the spe- 

 cies discovered, on account of the bell-shaped form of its co- 

 rolla. The proper position of Nolana in the natural system 

 has been a matter of considerable doubt among botanists. It 

 was placed by Jussieu in the same order with the Borage 

 and the Echium, but its distinction from the plants of that order 

 is so plain, particularly in its plaited flower bud, that its right 

 there was soon doubted. It has a strong resemblance to some 

 species of Convolvulus, but differs from that genus entirely in 

 its fruit, which is a fleshy drupe, containing a hard stone, some- 

 what like a cherry. De Candolle included it in the order 

 Solanacea, from which again its fruit distinguishes it, all 

 plants of that order bearing a fleshy berry, as that of the To- 

 mato or Egg-plant. Professor Lindley, for the purpose of giv- 

 ing it its proper place, formed the order Nolanaceas, which 

 comprises also two other genera nearly allied to the Convol- 

 vulus. 



The species came from South America, and are now com- 

 monly cultivated in England. The one in our engraving is 

 the most beautiful. The flower is very large, and the distinct 

 combination of the three colors, bright blue, yellow, and clear 

 white, gives it an extremely fine effect. This is heightened 

 by the contrast of the broad, fleshy, deep green leaves, which, 

 on the bending stems, soon become so abundant as to com- 

 pletely cover the ground. This species is an annual plant, and 

 its cultivation is said to be quite easy. The seeds are to be 

 sown early in the season, in a rich soil. 



