PENTSTEMON CRASSIFOLIUS. 
(Thick-leaved Pentstemon). 
Class. Order. 
DIDYNAMIA. ANGIOSPBRMIA. 
Natural Order. 
SCROPHULARIACE^. 
Generic Character.— See p. 175 of the present volume. 
Specific Character. — Plant an evergreen shrub, 
growing about a foot in height. Stems very numerous, 
slightly decumbent. Leaves opposite, sessile, linear- 
lanceolate, acute, thick. Flowers in a terminal spike, 
opposite, axillary, pedunculate. Calt/x with two rows 
of short segments. Corolla large, showy, light purplish 
blue. Capsules ovate or conical. 
In the handsome and vakiable genus Pentf^temon^ although nearly all the species 
are accounted herbaceous perennials, they are principally of a half-shrubby 
character, and one division may be made to comprise the hardy sufFruticose plants, 
another those which are but partially hardy, and a third the hardy species, which 
are decided shrubs, or of which none of the branches perish in winter. 
Every member of the genus is ornamental, and merits attention. The class 
last pointed out has, however, peculiar claims to notice for the ease with which 
they may be managed, and for their extreme beauty. Dwarf shrubs of so very 
ornamental a description are by no means of common occurrence, and a superior 
value, therefore, attaches to the few which do exist. 
Besides P. Scouler% which is of a similar character, we are only acquainted 
with P. crassifolius^ which forms a low-spreading shrub, admirably suited for 
planting in the front of shrubbery or other borders, or even for associating together 
in beds or groups. The number of branches that it sends up from the roots, and 
the striking liberality with which it develops its fine spikes of flowers at the 
point of every shoot, are characteristic and excellent features, and give it a splendid 
appearance in the months of May and June. 
It is a North American species, introduced to England several years back, and 
now to be had of most nurserymen. It is abundant in the gardens of the Horti- 
cultural Society, and at the Epsom and other nurseries. 
In a border planted with dwarf shrubs alone, placing them two or three feet 
apart, P. crassi/olius would make a prominent figure. The pleasing half-trailing 
manner in which it sends forth its numerous stems, so as to compose a broad and 
