ECHITES SPLENDENS. 
(Splendid Echites-) 
Class. 
PENTANDRIA. 
Order. 
MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
APOCYNACEJ]:. 
Generic Character.— Ca^t/;*: small, five-parted. Co- 
rolla salver-shaped, with a naked throat and tube; 
segments of the limb unequal-sided. Stamens enclosed ; 
anthers sagittate, cohering by their middle to the 
stigma, having the hind lobes without pollen. Ovaria 
two. Style one, filiform. Hypogynous scales five. 
Fruit of two slender follicles. 
Specific Character.— Pton^ apparently a half-de- 
ciduous climber. Stems smooth. Leaves elliptical, 
acuminate, undulated, cordate at the base, reticulated, 
with sunk veins on the upper surface, pubescent be- 
neath. Bracts awl-shaped. Calyx with awl- shaped 
segments. Corolla funnel-shaped, pale pink; lobes 
roundish, subacute. Stamens inserted in the upper 
part of the tube of the corolla. 
Specimens of this noble plant were exhibited, in a flowering state, at the July 
meeting in the Gardens of the Horticultural Society, and a prize was then awarded 
them. The public owe its introduction to Messrs. Yeitch and Son, nurserymen, 
of Exeter, whose collector, Mr. William Lobb, discovered it, in a very elevated 
situation, on the Organ Mountains of Brazil. Only three living plants were found, 
and these all reached Exeter in a healthy condition. 
From the specimen which flowered in July last, blossoms were developed, in 
bunches containing nine or ten buds, each opening in succession, till October. 
After this period, the leaves fell, thereby proving the plant somewhat deciduous, 
and the plant remained dormant for a time. It is now, (February,) as Mr. Yeitch 
informs us, breaking strongly, and will doubtless bloom with increased vigour in 
the ensuing summer. 
All the beautiful species of Echites (and, indeed, most of our stove climbers) 
seem to be eclipsed by this very splendid plant. Its habit is very luxuriant, and 
the leaves are of an unusual size ; while the flowers, which are borne in large 
clusters, and expand only one or two at a time, are exceedingly lovely, their tint 
being a light blush, which deepens towards the margin, and in the centre, but the 
variations of which are so gentle and gradual as to be highly delightful. The 
breadth of each blossom is from three to four inches, and the petals fall back a 
little, and are slightly undulated in a very graceful manner. 
VOL. X. — NO. ex. E 
