NAT. ORDER. 
LiliacecR 
ALSTRCEMERIA PELEGRINA. SPOTTED ALSTRCEMERTA. 
Class VI. Hexandria. Order I. Monogynia. 
Gen. Char. Corolla, six j^etalled, superior, irregular. Stamens, 
declinate, 
Spe. Char. Stem, erect. Corolla, campanulate. Leaves, linear- 
lanceolate. 
This most beautiful exotic plant was presented to us by a 
physician of this city, for the purpose of ascertaining its medical 
properties ; and in compliance with his wishes, and a desire to in- 
vestigate, promulgate, and extend the science of botany, we have 
thought best to give it a place in the " American Flora," that its 
beauty and elegance may be more generally known. This drawing 
was made from a fine specimen now in our collection ; and the 
only one of the kind which is publicly known to have been 
brought to this country. 
One of the most celebrated ancient botanists figures and de- 
scribes three species of Alstrozmeria, viz., Pelegrina, Ligtu and 
Salsilla, common names by which they are severally distinguished 
in Peru, its native country. The present species, which is highly 
valued by the natives on account of its beauty, he informs us is 
found growing wild on a mountain about one mile north of the city 
of Lima. From Peru, and as might be expected, this plant found 
its way into Spain, from whence, by the means of his most inti- 
mate friend Alstroemer, Linnaeus first received its seeds ; the 
value he set upon this acquisition was great, as will evidently ap- 
Vol. ii— 6.< 
