HABRANTHUS PRATENSIS. 
(Meadow Habranthus.) 
Class. 
HEXANDRIA. 
Order. 
MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order, 
AMARYLLIDACE^. 
Generic Character. — G^ermen constricted in the 
middle ; tube equal. Filaments declinate, fasciculate, 
recurved. Stple declinate, recurved. Seed cumulate, 
flattened, black. 
Specific Character. — PZani a bulbous perennial. 
Leaves linear, green ; convex on the back. Umbels two 
to three flowered. Perianth campanulate, revolute at 
the summit, suboblique, with scarcely any tube. Fila- 
ments glandular at the base. Faucial appendages 
linear-lanceolate, acuminate. Stigma nearly simple. 
Synonyme. Amaryllis pratensis. 
We owe our acquaintance with this beautiful plant, and the opportunity of 
having it figured, to Mr. Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus, Bart., at Cheam, 
where it bloomed very finely in the months of March and April last. It also 
flowered in April, at the nursery of Mr. Low, Clapton. 
For the freeness with which it develops its blossoms, their extreme richness 
and beauty, and the length of time (compared with the duration of those of most 
Amaryllises and similar plants) they remain perfect, it is a very interesting 
addition to our gardens. It is further valuable as coming into bloom so very early 
in the season, and for the rather novel form of its long narrow foliage. 
Its native country appears to be South Chile. Regarding its botanical cha- 
racter, Dr. Lindley remarks, in the Botanical Register, " it is upon the authority 
of the learned Dean of Manchester that I refer it to the Amaryllis pratensis 
of Poppig, who says it occurs in the meadows of South Chile, near Antuco ; but 
I have nevertheless some doubts of the identity of the plants, for the species of 
Poppig is described with glaucous leaves, and serrated faucial appendages ; while 
in that before us the latter are entire, and the former green. 
" These faucial scales are unusually large in the subject of our plate, and in 
fact rival what occur in the curious genus Placea. They are of the same nature 
as the coronet or cup of Narcissus ; but whether or not they also represent tlie 
thick ring on the throat of Hippeastrum, and the cup of Pancratium, may be 
doubted." 
The species seems to thrive in a very moderate stove heat, from which it may 
VOL. IX. —NO. CII. R 
