132 



OSBECKIA CANESCENS. 



are found subulate appendages which are pubescent, similar to the other parts of the calyx. 

 Filaments yellow, deciduous, 10, attached to an elevated rim situate at the base of the divisions of 

 the calyx. Connective a little longer than the filaments, curved, bifid at the base, smooth of a 

 bright purple colour tipped with yellow at the base. Anthers of a purplish blue, smooth, about 

 half the length of the connective. Pollen whitish, minute, smooth, having a transparent line in 

 the centre. Style twice as long as the stamens, and anthers, curved, pinkish, smooth. Stigma 

 situate at the extreme apex, moist. Ovarium 5-sided, covered with a stellate pubescence, 

 5-celled. Seeds numerous, cochleate, attached to placentae, arising from the centre of the 

 ovarium, and situate in the centre of each valve. 



This is certainly a very handsome species, belonging to the second section 

 of (chcetolepis) Decandolle's Prodromus, to which division it makes a second species. 

 The flowers have a very handsome appearance, and are more durable than some 

 of the species, lasting about two days. 



Our drawing was made from a plant in the collection of the Birmingham 

 Botanical and Horticultural Society, and for which the Society is indebted to the 

 Royal Botanic Garden, Berlin, from which establishment it was sent by Mr. 

 Otto, in the year 1838. 



It has been treated as a cold stove plant, but probably it may be suitable for 

 planting out into the open ground during the summer. It flowers from August 

 to September. 



For its cultivation it requires to be potted in loam and peat. It may be 

 increased by cuttings, which may be placed in bottom heat, and also by seeds, 

 but as yet they have not ripened in the above establishment. 



The generic name is given in honour of a Swedish clergyman and naturalist, 

 Mr. P. Osbeck ; the specific name canescens (the Latin participle, signifying hoary) 

 has reference to the hoary appearance given by the stellate pubescence. 



Fig. 1, calyx clothed with stellate pubescence ; 2 and 3, stamens with their 

 anthers and connectives ; 4, germ, style, and stigma ; 5, transverse section of 

 seed-vessel. 



