FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
67 
too large for the plate ; and the terminal spike and upper part of the shoot had failed, from an 
accidental circumstance in the specimen sent." — Bot, Reg. 9„ 
Exogo'nium pu'rga. — " Although Jalap has been used in European medicine for nearly two 
centuries and a half, it is only within a few years that its botanical source has been correctly 
ascertained. The plant long cultivated as yielding the true jalap, in the stoves of Europe, and 
among the rest in the Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh, is the Convolvulus jalapa of Linnaeus and 
Wildenow, or Ipomcea macrorhiza of Michaux, a native of Vera Cruz. But, between the years 
1827 and 1830, it was proved by no fewer than three independent authorities, M. Ledanois, a 
French druggist, resident at Orizator, in Mexico, Dr. Coxe, of Philadelphia, through information 
supplied by Mr. Fontanges, an American gentleman, who lived at Jalapa, and Schiede, the 
botanical traveller, from personal examination, that the drug of commerce is obtained, not from 
the hot plains around Vera Cruz, but from the cooler hill country near Jalapa, about 6000 feet 
above the level of the sea, where it is exposed to frost in winter time ; and that the plant which 
yields it is an entirely new species. Schiede introduced the plant for the first time into England ; 
and it has been cultivated in various botanic gardens of Germany." A tuberous-rooted twiner, 
with alternate cordate leaves, bearing flowers that are between funnel and salver-shaped, a purplish- 
red colour. — Bot. Mag. 4280. 
Forsy v thia viridi'ssima. This is a deciduous shrub, with very dark-green leaves serrated at the 
margin, and grows eight or ten feet high, in the north of China. Early in spring the buds gradually 
unfold themselves, and present a profusion of bright-yellow blossoms, highly ornamental. It was 
found growing in the same garden at Chusan as Weigela rosea. It also grows wild on the 
mountains in the interior of the province of Chekiang, where it flowers equally as beautiful as 
when cultivated. The plant is a free grower, and easily increased by cuttings and layers. — Hort. 
Jour. vol. i., p. 227. 
Hibi'scus Moscheu'tos. " This noble plant, although one of the oldest inhabitants of our 
gardens, is seldom seen in cultivation. According to the learned authors of the Flora of North 
America, it inhabits the borders of marshes, particularly near the salt water, in Canada, and 
throughout the United States, flowering in the months of August and September. They describe 
it thus : Stem, three to five feet high, minutely tomentose. Leaves about five inches long and 
three wide, rather obtuse at the base, with a long acumination, often with three short abruptly- 
acuminate lobes, velvety-tomentose beneath. Peduncles axillary, two inches long, articulated a 
little below the flower, often coalescing with the petiole to a considerable distance above the base. 
Flowers as large as in the common Hollyhock, rose colour, or sometimes nearly white, crimson at 
the centre. Petals obovate, refuse. Staminal column one-third the length of the petals ; styles 
exserted. Capsule as large as in H. Syriacus." A hardy plant ; but one requiring greenhouse 
treatment for its successful management. Syn. H. Palustris. — Bot. Beg. 7. 
'Iris seto'sa. " This very pretty plant is said, by Dr. Fischer, to inhabit the northern part of 
Eastern Siberia, along the Lena, about Schigansk and Jakutzk, in Kamtchatka, Unalaschka, 
Escholtz's Bay, Chammisso's Island, &c. Its root is said to be poisonous, but we know not on 
what authority. It is a very hardy herbaceous species, growing from one to two feet in height, if 
planted in any good rich garden soil, and freely supplied with water during the growing season ; 
but afterwards the plants should be kept rather dry, as they are very impatient of damp or wet 
during the winter months." Raised in the garden of the Horticultural Society, where it flowered 
last year in the month of May. Synonymes, T. hracliycuspis, cuspidata, and brevicuspis. — 
Bot. Reg. 10. 
Wei'gela Pvo'sea. This beautiful plant was found by Mr. Fortune, growing in a mandarin's 
garden on the island of Chusan, in China, when it was literally loaded with its fine rose-coloured 
blossoms, which hung in graceful bunches from the axils of the leaves and the ends of the branches. 
This plant is peculiar to the north of China, being quite unknown in the southern provinces, and 
will therefore prove hardy or nearly so ; but if it should not, it will make a first-rate greenhouse 
plant. Mr. Fortune never met with it wild on the Chinese hills ; it is therefore possible that it 
may have been originally introduced to China from Japan. It forms a neat middle-sized bush, 
not unlike a Philadelphus in habit, deciduous in winter, and flowering in the months of April and 
May. It is of the easiest culture, growing freely in common garden soil, and is increased by 
cuttings put in during the spring and summer months. — Hort. Jour., vol. i., p. 189. 
