142 
FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
possess, is held in considerable estimation by the New Zealanders, who collect and use it for 
food in seasons of dearth. It is a greenhouse plant, and flowers in May. — Bot. Mag., 4379. 
Echinocactus chlorophthalmus {Green-eyed Echinocactus). This purple-flowering succulent 
plant is a native of Real del Monte, Mexico ; it blooms in the summer months, and will rank next 
to E. hexmdrophorus. 
Fuchsia, spectabilis (Showy Fuchsia). From the collection of Messrs. Veitch and Sons, Exeter, 
who gratified the Members of theHorticultural Society, by the exhibition of it at their rooms in 
Regent Street, April 18, 1848 — Mag. Bot., p. 95 — when the large silver medal of the Society was 
awarded to it. It was then stated to be the F. loxensis of Humboldt, and one of the handsomest 
Fuchsias yet in cultivation ; its dark-green leaves and brilliant scarlet flowers, with which the 
white lobed stigma nicely contrasts, renders it extremely attractive. To this character of its 
beauty may be added, the blood- red colour of the flowering branches, and rich purple of the under 
side of the leaves, contrasted with the almost velvety rich green of their surface. It is a native 
of shady woods, on the mountains of Peru, and is stated by Mr. Lobb, its discoverer, to be the 
"loveliest of the lovely."— Bot. Mag., 4375. 
Gesneria libanensis (Many-flowered Gesneria). This is the Conradia floribunda of Mag. Bot. 
p. 99, of the current volume. This plant is a native of Cuba, and was received at the Royal 
Gardens at Kew, from Mr. Van Houtte, under the name of Rytidophyllum floribundum ; but it 
neither coincides with that genus in character nor in habit. It appears, according to Walpers, 
that it was previously described by Morren as Gesneria libanensis ; but it ill agrees with true 
Gesneria, rather with certain West Indian species, which are referred to Conradia, by Martius and 
De Candolle, though probably without sufficient examination. — Bot. Mag., 4380. 
NEW, RARE, OR INTERESTING PLANTS, IN FLOWER, IN THE DIFFERENT SUBURBAN 
NURSERIES AND GARDENS. 
Abelia floribunda. — In the nursery of Messrs. Henderson, Edgeware Road, is flowering this 
very graceful shrub : it is a native of Mexico, and nearly hardy, having been kept in a cold pit all 
last winter. The flowers are produced at the ends of the shoots, in groups of six or seven, pendu- 
lous and tubular, of a bright rose-colour, and nearly two-and-a-half inches long, foliage neat and good. 
The plant is in an excellent state of cultivation, completely laden with its handsome flowers. 
Arpophyllum giganteum. — Messrs. Rollisson, Tooting, recently flowered the above, which 
represents a race of plants never before seen alive in this country, and shows, though but a small 
weak specimen, that when it attains the growth of the dried specimens which have been received in 
this country, it will be a most desirable plant. The flower, though small, is a deep and rich purple, 
densely placed upon the stem, which attains the length of eighteen inches ; having a very graceful 
appearance, allied to its rich colour, gives it a decided advantage over many species that bear 
much larger flowers. 
Cantua bicolor. — We have been favoured with a neat specimen of the above from Messrs. 
Veitch, Exeter. It appears to be a dwarf shrub, with neat bright-green foliage ; the stem and 
edges of the leaves are clothed with short hairs. The flower is about an inch-and-a-half long, 
spreading at the mouth to about the same in diameter ; it is a most lively carnation colour, shading 
to a rich yellow in the throat, the short tube externally and internally a bright yellow : the carnation 
is equally bright at the back of the petals. Its appearance is that of a very profuse bloomer, and is 
one of the handsomest plants of recent introduction. 
Cgslogyne, spe. nov. A very fine species, introduced from Borneo by Mr. H. Low, Clapton, 
has been flowered for the first time by Mr. Mylam, gardener to S. Rucker, Esq., and though in a 
weak state, still sufficient is seen to prove it a valuable addition. The flower-scape is about 
thirty inches long, densely laden with cream-coloured flowers, the labellum enriched with a dash of 
bright orange. The foliage is ample and graceful, being near the length of the scape. Mr. Eyles, 
gardener to Sir G. Larpent, also has had it in good flower, but not equal in size to the dried 
specimens introduced with the plant. 
Hoya Imperialis. This is another handsome plant, introduced by Mr. Low, two years since 
from Borneo, and exhibited by Messrs. Pince and Co., Nurserymen, Exeter, in flower for the first 
time, at the June Fete of the Royal Botanical Society. The plant has a fine and noble habit, with 
handsome foliage. The flowers, six in number, radiate at the end of a short stem about eight 
