GLOXINIA. 



131 



a height of from six to eight feet. The first appearance 

 of the flowers is disappointing, because of the predomi- 

 nance of green. But the green, in a great measure, is 

 soon changed to bright orange. 



G. simplex. — A species from Portugal, has flowers 

 of a delicate blue color, and is of delicate habit, rarely 

 reaching a height of two feet. 



G. virescens. — This flower is nearly all green when 

 first opened, but changes to yellow when older. It is a 

 native of Mozambique. 



G. nepalensis. — A native of Nepal ; is the hardi- 

 est of the species, although not as showy as G. superla. 

 It grows about two feet high ; flowers bright yellow. 



GLOXINIA. 



Nearly all the species that make up this splendid 

 genus of flowering plants are natives of South America, 

 and are usually found in deep ravines, on rather high 

 mountain elevations, and always in damp, much shaded 

 situations. When we take into account their distinct- 

 ness, their continuous flowering habit, the exquisite 

 colors they possess, their forms of matchless beauty, and 

 the ease with which they may be grown, it will at once 

 be admitted that few plants so well deserve the attention 

 they require as the Gloxinias. They flower continuously 

 through the spring and summer, and, when grown in 

 pots, are very valuable for decorative purposes, while the 

 flowers are exceedingly useful for small vases and for all 

 purposes where cut flowers are used. 



With the Gloxinia, as with many other flowers, 

 selection and hybridization, together with a number of 

 accidental sports, have removed the original species from 

 cultivation. The original forms, with their drooping 

 flowers, have been superseded by flowers with the corolla 

 almost regular, and perfectly erect ; this latter peculiar- 

 ity is an important improvement, as the border and 



