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CULTURE OF THE GENUS LAGERSTRCEMIA. 
This is certainly so splendid a genus of shrubs, that, taking it altogether, few 
can surpass it ; the management of the species, also, when understood, is far from 
being difficult, although a person unacquainted with their habits would be very likely 
to come to a different conclusion. 
There are only seven species known, all natives of the East Indies, China, and 
the neighbouring parts ; six only of these have come under our notice as having been 
introduced ; namely, L. elegans, grandiflora, indica, parviflora, regince, and speciosa. 
Of these, all except elegans are old inhabitants of our stoves, especially indica and 
regin<B, the former of which was introduced in 1759, and the latter in 1792 : the 
others, with the exception of the one above-mentioned, have all been brought into this 
country during the present century. 
With us, under proper management, they form deciduous shrubs and trees of 
some size and great beauty. Growing naturally within the tropics, the temperature 
of the stove is necessary to grow them to perfection. 
L. elegans is now beautifully in flower in the large conservatory at Chatsworth. 
The plant in some respects resembles L. indica, but its growth is far more 
robust, its flowering season is later, and its whole habit, when the two are seen 
together, very distinct. The blossoms are produced in large leafy panicles at the 
extremities of the branches ; they are large, rich rose-coloured and yellow, curled, 
and very showy. It is a native of the East Indies, and was discovered by Dr. 
Wallich. Introduced in 1841. 
L. grandiflora. — This is another very gay species, bearing a profusion of rose- 
coloured flowers. The blossoms themselves are something larger than the last, but 
the panicles being less, they scarcely make so much show as those of elegans. 
It was found on the hill-sides, at Chittagong, in the East Indies, and was introduced 
here in 1818. 
L. indica. — This has been the longest known to us, and is probably the hand- 
somest of the whole ; certainly no introduced species has yet surpassed it : its graceful 
slender branches, small bright green leaves, and large terminal panicles of showy 
rose-coloured curled flowers, render it an object which cannot be passed without 
admiration. It is a native of China and Japan, where it forms one of the most 
esteemed shrubs, growing eight or ten feet high. 
L. parviflora.^ — This has perhaps the fewest attractions to recommend it to our 
notice of any of the kinds. The panicles are produced at the termination of the 
branches, and are many-flowered, but the flowers are small and white, and although 
pretty when examined, yet make but little appearance in a collection of plants. 
It grows on the mountain-sides of the Circars, in the East Indies, and forms a 
spreading shrub about twelve feet high. The natives are said to make use of its 
VOL. XIV. NO. CLXV. E E 
