74 
IPOMCEA TYRIANTHINA. 
It was collected by a friend in the vicinity of Real del Monte ; and the roots, 
which Mr. H. describes as resembling a large mangold- wurzel, were potted 
immediately after their arrival, and " put in a little heat, where, in a few days, 
they began to push out several young shoots from the crown. They were then 
repotted into some good, rich soil, and well supplied with water ; and when rooted, 
their growth was amazingly rapid, the strong shoots often growing from two to 
three inches in twenty-four hours ; so that by the end of August they were large 
plants, and full of bloom. The plants continued in flower till November, when 
they gradually died down. The flowers, which are very numerous, and produced 
in clusters on long footstalks, continue open two days, except in very hot weather ; 
but by the second day their fine rich hue has disappeared, leaving the ground colour 
a reddish purple." 
Mr. Henchman's plants were repotted in February of the present year, in a 
compost of rich loam, well-rotted dung, and a little sand ; and they are now again 
large specimens, promising to blossom most abundantly by the middle of May. 
Till they commence flowering, they are kept in a gentle heat, and were last 
season removed to the greenhouse when they began to bloom, in which situation 
their flowers were fully perfected. This treatment appears very suitable both for 
the present and all allied kinds ; as they flower too late if kept always in the 
greenhouse, and their colours are not so vivid when grown constantly in the stove. 
Cuttings of the young shoots will most probably root with freedom ; and they 
should be taken off in the early part of the year, to enable them to form fine roots 
before the winter. Indeed, the system of propagation usually followed with Dahlias 
is precisely adapted to this plant. 
Ipomoea is taken from ips^ bindweed, and komoios, like ; because the plants are 
very nearly related to Convolvulus. The specific appellation has reference, we 
presume, to the colour of the flowers, which is considered equal to the widely- 
celebrated purples of ancient Tyre. 
