247 
LOBELIA IGNEA. 
(flame-coloured lobelia,) 
CLASS. OUDKll. 
PENTANDRTA. MONOGYNIA. 
natural OttOKR. 
LOBELIACEtE. 
Generic Character. — Vide vol. ii. p. 52. 
Specific Character, — Plant an herbaceous perennial. Stem erect, freely branched, roundish, but 
slightly channelled, from three to four feet high, dark purple. Leaves also deep purple, sessile ; 
lower ones lanceolate, serrated, acute, partially recurved ; stem leaves longer, more attenuated, and 
frequently entire ; floral leaves or bracts resembling the lowest ones, but much more acuminate. 
Calyx with subequal segments, sometimes triflingly serrated. Flowers very large, deep scarlet. 
The superb new Lobelia, of wliich the annexed figure, though accurate, is but 
an imperfect representation, on account of the inimitable brilliancy of the colour of 
its flowers, was received in England in 1838 from Mr. Makoy, of Liege. It has 
been doubted by many whether it be not an hybrid production ; but we are 
credibly informed that seeds of it were originally obtained from Mexico. Indeed, 
the peculiar colour of the leaves and stems, and the remarkable size as well as the 
surpassingly rich hue of the blossoms, afford strong presumptive evidence that it is 
a distinct species ; it being difiicult to conceive how these properties could result 
from hybridization, when there are no other kinds at all similar. 
Amongst the new half-hardy herbaceous plants which have lately been added 
to our collections, L. ignea is superior to any we have yet seen. Even the favourite 
Salvia patens is not its equal in value ; the former shedding its flowers so speedily 
after they are unfolded, as seldom to have more than two opened at once on the 
same stem ; whereas, on this plant, six or eight are commonly expanded together, 
and the branches are much more numerous. 
An excellent specimen in the nursery of Messrs. Henderson, Pine- Apple Place, 
supplied us with the opportunity of obtaining our drawing, and also, by the merest 
accident, furnished a hint respecting its culture, which we shall now register, for 
