IPOMCEA FICIFOLIA. 
(Fig-leaved Ipomoea.) 
Class. Order. 
PENTANDR1A. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
CONVOLVULACEJE. 
Generic Character.— Calyx of fiye petals. Corolla 
t campanulate. Stamens inclosed. Style one ; stigma 
two-lobed ; lobes capitate. Ovary two-celled. Capsule 
two-celled ; cells two- seeded. Don's Garcl. and Botany. 
Specific Character.— Plant a twining shrub, ever- 
green, furnished with rough hairs. Leaves three-lobed ; 
lateral lobes roundish, middle one narrower, and more 
aciite. Peduncles mostly three- flowered. Calyx with 
acute sepals, covered with blackish hairs. Tube of 
corolla shorter than the limb. 
To the very handsome genus Ipomoea, and the several other genera into which 
that old group has latterly been divided, it seems almost impossible to procure 
accessions which shall surpass in either beauty or value those heretofore cultivated. 
The freeness and elegance of their habits, the richness and prodigality of their 
blossoms, and the general facility with which they may be managed, give them a 
decided eminence over many other tribes. 
Nevertheless, there are two circumstances connected with the character of the 
present new species which stamp it as a more desirable plant for ornamental 
purposes than some of its allies which are at least equally showy. Most Iporaceas 
of the same class bear flowers which can only be seen in perfection before the sun 
has reached its meridian ; after which their colour changes, and they exhibit a 
flagged faded appearance. /. jicrfolia, on the contrary, retains its blooms unaltered 
throughout the whole day, and shows no signs of withering till it perishes entirely. 
Its other merit is the development of flowers during the late months of autumn, 
when it enlivens the stove in a most agreeable manner. 
Messrs. Salter and Wheeler, Victoria Nursery, Weston Road, Bath, have the 
credit of introducing this fine species, which they obtained two or three years back 
without any knowledge of its native country. Last autumn, it flowered vigorously 
in many of the London nurseries, and we had our drawing made from Messrs. 
Henderson's, Pine-apple Place. 
From the slight opportunities with which we have been favoured for deter- 
mining its character, we can safely say that it is a plant whose aspect is greatly 
affected by cultivation ; the size of the flowers varying, according to circumstances^ 
VOL. IX. NO. XCVITT. B 
