PENTSTEMON GENTIANOXDES ; var. SPLENDENS. 
(Gentian-like Pentstemon, splendid variety.) 
Clasf. 
DIDYNAMIA. 
Order. 
ANGIOSPERMIA. 
Natural Order. 
SCROPHULARIACEJE. 
Generic Character. — Calyx five-parted, with a 
distant solitary bract. Corolla ventricose, bilabiate. 
Stamens didynamous, with the rudiment of a fifth, 
which is usually filiform, and bearded on the upper 
side ; anthers separate, usually glabrous. Capsule 
ovate, two-celled, two-valved, many-seeded. Seeds 
angular. 
Specific Character.— Stem downy at top. Leaves 
lanceolate, quite entire, glabrous. Panicle composed 
of one, two, and three-flowered peduncles. Calyx with 
ovate segments. Corolla beardless ; sterile filament 
glabrous. — Don's Gard. and Botany. 
Var. Splendens. — Flowers altogether much larger, 
with a dash of light crimson and scarlet. 
Many years have now passed away since the old Pentstemon gentianoides was 
brought to England from Mexico ; though it is only within a very recent period 
that it has become a common ornament of our gardens. At first known solely as 
a plant fitted for pot-culture in frames or greenhouses, it has come to be regarded 
as a nearly hardy undershrub, and is very largely employed for filling the beds of 
flower-gardens, and for otherwise decorating our pleasure-grounds. 
About three years back, there appeared in the nurseries three or more varieties 
of this species, each distinguishable by the shade or size of their flowers. Thus, 
there was a bright scarlet-flowering kind, which received the name of coccinea, and 
a much lighter-coloured sort that was never honoured with a title, and the present 
singularly handsome variety, which has larger blossoms than either of the others, 
and combines the scarlet of the coccinea with the dark reddish crimson or purple of 
the original species. To this the appellation of splendens has been applied, and 
the term is assuredly expressive of its truly splendid character ; for it eclipses all 
the other known varieties, and we have deemed it eminently worthy of being- 
depicted. 
We believe we are correct in stating that this showy plant has not been raised 
by English art, through the medium of culture and hybridization, but was obtained 
from Mexican seeds ; so that it is a genuine variety, and not a mere hybrid. And 
while its highly superior character will not eradicate the old species from those 
collections where more than one variety is desirable, it will commend it to the 
