175 
CHORIZEMA VARIUM. 
(various-leaved chorizema.) 
CLASS, 
DECANDRIA. 
natural order. 
LEGUMINOS^. 
Generic Character. — Vide vol. iv. p. 153. 
Specific Character, — Plant shrubby, growing from four to six feet in height. Stems erect, strong, 
slightly downy, branching. Leaves nearly sessile, roundly-cordate, undulated, with regular, entire 
serratures, which terminate in spires, pubescent. Racemes erect, many-ilowered, terminal, short, 
and densely covered with flowers. Calyx tubular at the base, with obtuse, pilose, sub-equal teeth. 
Flowers reddish yellow. 
Before the seeds of this remarkably handsome species were germinated in 
England, the genus Chorizema was composed of plants which, without reference to 
the flowers, were comparatively worthless. So much indeed was this the case, 
that when we published a figure of C. cordata^ we particularly noted its great 
superiority over its allies in habitude and foliage. We are now compelled to 
qualify very largely our encomiums on that plant, as a more mature acquaintance 
has convinced us that the rapidity and extent of its growth are far from desirable 
characteristics, prolonged, as they generally are, into a most displeasing laxness 
and diffusiveness, with the usually attendant paucity of leaves. 
To C. mrium we are fully persuaded none of the above objections will ever apply. 
Its habit is totally the reverse of straggling ; extraordinary luxuriance, combined 
with strength and robustness of stems, and particularly large, conspicuous, and 
well-formed foliage, being its prominent and invariable features. To maintain 
these in their natural vigour, it is of course necessary that judicious treatment be 
afforded ; but less mischief follows a departure from such a course to this plant 
than to any of those with which it is directly associated, on account of the greater 
number, consistence, and native energy of its roots. 
During the years 1837 and 1838, seeds of this plant were received by many 
individuals from the Swan Hiver colony, Captain Mangles, R. N., having pro- 
ORDER. 
MONOGYNIA. 
