SALVIA ARGENTEA. 



longest, sometimes the inferior, or both rounded, dilated, complanate. Stigmas oftentimes minute, 

 terminal or decurrent in the greater part of the lobes of the style. Achenia of a three-sided oval 

 shape, dry, glabrous, generally very smooth. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 



S. argentea; arachnoideo-pubescens, viscosa, ramosa; foliis ovatis eroso-crenatis petiolatis 

 basi subcuneatis • verticillastris 6 — 10, distantibus, floralibus cordatis magnis acuminatis concavis 

 apice subspinosis ; calycibus campanulatis striatis villosis, superiore labio tridentato subaquali, 

 ! inferiore bidentato ; dentibus subspinosis ; Corollis calyee subtriplo-longioribus, fauce ventricosa 

 labio superiore maximo falcato compresso, inferiore lobis lateralibus oblongi erectis. 



Covered over with an arachnoid pubescence, viscid, and branched; leaves ovate, closely 

 crenate, petiolate, somewhat cuneate at the base. Verticillasters from 6 to 10, distant ; floral 

 leaves cordate, large, accuminate, concave somewhat spiny at the apex; calyx campanulate, 

 striate, villous, having the upper lip three- toothed, somewhat equal, the lower lip two- toothed ; 

 teeth somewhat spiny ; corolla about thrice as long as the calyx, throat ventricose, the upper lip 

 large, falcate, compressed, the lower with the lateral lobes oblong, erect. 



Salvia Argentea. — Lin. — Jacq. et Sm. Flor. Grcec. — Benth. Lab. p. 226. — S. patula. — Desf. 



Sclarea Argentea. — Mill. 



Salvia Candidissima. — Guss. S. iEthiopis, Brot. S. atlantica, Pers. 



Descr. — Whole plant more or less viscid. Stem about 4 feet high, square, angles obtuse, 

 covered over with a long pubescence, branched root. Leaves and the lower ones on the stem 6 

 to 8 inches long, petiolate, and from 4 to 6 broad, rugose, more or less closely crenate, and beau- 

 tifully covered with a soft arachnoid pubescence, which is more abundant on the under side of 

 the leaves of the flowering plants, or the plants which are young and do not flower, it forms 

 a very conspicuous feature ; the veins have also a singularly delicate white appearance. 

 Panicle branched, from 2 to 2-^ feet long, usually divided into three parts. Verticillasters 

 distant, containing about 6 flowers, which have a peculiar effect from their erect position. 

 Corolla whitish, three times as long as the calyx ; the upper lip assumes at the point a purple 

 appearance arising from a purple pubescence ; the lower tip is tinted on the lateral divisions with 

 yellow ; the tube is contracted in the centre. Calyx striated, pubescent, stipitate, teeth some- 

 what spiny. Stamens and style longer than the corolla, incurved within the flower. Anthers 

 linear, pollen ovate, smooth, without any transparent mark in the centre. Stigma in the 

 divisions equal. Floral-leaves concave, as long as the calyx, acuminate, and somewhat spiny. 

 Achenia smooth, surrounded by an evident gynobasis. 



This interesting species of Salvia is growing in the gardens of the Birmingham 

 Botanical and Horticultural Society, where it was raised from Russian seeds 

 received from the late Mr. Hunneman in the year 1838. It appears to be 

 biennial, and is perfectly hardy. It is a native of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and 

 although first introduced into this country in the year 1768, is exceedingly rare 

 in collections. It will grow in any common soil ; begins to flower at the end of 

 June, and will continue to flower for some time. There is reason to believe, from 

 its present appearance, that it will ripen plenty of seeds. 



This species, according to Mr. Bentham, is allied to S. spinosa, and S. tingitana. 



For the etymology of Salvia, see vol. i. under that head. Argentea (silvery) 

 has reference to the whitened appearance of the leaves. 



Fig. 1, a flower ; 2, the stamens and appendages ; 3, style and bifid stigma. 



