purple spot in the centre, with numerous short purple 
stripes below it : lower petals darker, also marked with a 
purple spot, and obsoletely lined from the base. Filaments 
10, united at the base, one of them abroad spatula-shaped 
one, which produces no anther ; 6 bearing anthers. Style 
short, smooth. Stigmas 5, purple, reflexed. 
This grand flowering plant is of hybrid origin, and was 
raised in 1821 at the Nursery of Mr. Colvill, from a seed 
of P. cortuscp/olium, the flowers of which had been fer- 
tilized by the pollen of P. scepeflorens. It is by far a much 
handsomer plant than either of its parents, and also more 
hardy, producing its handsome flowers in abundance all 
the Summer, and till late in Autumn ; those also remain 
several days without dropping, so that the whole umbel 
is seen in flower at once ; the only care it requires, is that 
it does not get too much water in Winter, but in Summer 
it requires a regular supply. It succeeds best in a light 
sandy soil, or an equal mixture of light turfy loam, peat, 
and sand, will suit it very well. Cuttings will also strike 
root readily, planted in pots in the same sort of soil, and 
placed on a shelf in the greenhouse, letting them remain 
without water for a few days after planting, that the wound 
may dry up, or they will be liable to rot ; it may also be 
increased by the tubers of its roots. 
