ACHIMENES PEDUNCULATA. 
(Long peduncled-flowered Achimenes.) 
Class. 
DIDYNAMIA. 
Order. 
ANGIOSPERMIA. 
Natural Order. 
GESNERACEiE. 
Generic Character.— See p. 145, of the present 
volume. 
Specific Character.— Plant an herbaceous peren- 
nial. Stem erect, simple, pubescent. Leaves slightly 
unequal, obliquely cordate-ovate, serrate, sparingly 
covered with hairs on the upper side, pubescent be- 
neath. Peduncles mostly two-flowered, longer than 
the leaves, and with the calyx pubescent. Corolla nod- 
ding, funnel-shaped, with a long tube ; limb spreading. 
The genus Achimenes is a very valuable one to the cultivator, because the 
plants in it are easily grown, remain dormant in winter, produce a long succession 
of showy flowers, and are rarely seen in an unhealthy state, even though they may 
not be suitably treated. The soft and exquisite light purple of the blossoms in A. 
longijlora, and the glowing crimsony scarlet of A. coccinea, have here a worthy com- 
panion in the deep vermilion and orange of A. pedunculated ; which is likewise a 
species so peculiar in habit, that it presents a fine change from the others. 
It was found by M. Hartvveg, the collector for the Horticultural Society, in 
the shady woods of Santa Maria, Guatemala, and sent to the Society's garden at 
the same time as A. longijlora and A. rosea. One of its chief recommendations is, 
that it continues to flower late in the season, our figure having been prepared from 
excellent blooming specimens in the nursery of Mr. Mountjoy, Ealing, in the 
month of October last. 
Being of a strong erect habitude, it grows to the height of eighteen inches or 
two feet, and bears its handsome blossoms towards the top of the stem, on long 
axillary peduncles, which have usually two flowers on each. Their colour is a 
dark vermilion, with a light orange-coloured throat, and dark stripes in it extend- 
ing nearly across the segments of the limb. Curious little bulb-like tubers are 
formed on the upper part of the peduncles, along with minute leaves ; both of 
which are shown in the plate. 
To have this Achimenes in high perfection, it should be grown rapidly when it 
begins to start. A warm moist atmosphere will best accomplish that object ; and 
