GESNERA LATERITIA. 
(Brick-red flowered Gesnera.) 
Clasf. 
DIDYNAMIA. 
Order. 
ANGIOSPERMIA. 
Natural Orde . 
GESNERACEJE. 
Generic Character. — Calyx adnate to the ovary ; 
limb nearly equally five-lobed, free. Corolla semi-supe- 
rior, tubular, with five gibbosities at the base ; limb 
sub-bilabiate ; upper lip drawn out, emarginately two- 
lobed ; lower lip three-lobed. Stamens didynamous, 
with the rudiment of a fifth behind ; anthers at first 
cohering into a round head. Glands five, or fewer, 
around the ovary. Capsule dry in the calyx, one-cell- 
ed, incompletely two-valved; placentas two, parietal, 
many-seeded. Seeds scrobiform — Don's Gard. and 
Botany. 
Specific Character. — Plant an herbaceous perennial. 
Leaves roundly ovate, cordate, rugose, erenate, hairy. 
Flowers axillary, solitary, terminal, in pairs. Bracts 
sessile, stem-clasping, plain. Corolla downy ; upper 
lip oblong, concave, two-lobed ; lower one truncate. 
Of the very ornamental genus Gesnera, this constitutes one of the most 
desirable features, on account of its combining unusual dwarfness and compactness 
with the most ample and noble foliage, and particularly brilliant flowers. It was 
brought to this country from Brazil eight or nine years ago ; and has lately been 
more copiously received and propagated by Mr. Low, of Clapton, in whose nursery 
the subject of our figure bloomed splendidly through the months of July, August, 
and September, 1841. 
Respecting its affinities, Dr. Lindley remarks, in the Botanical Register, that it 
" forms one of the set of G. bullosa, which is plainly distinguished by the oblique 
orifice of the corolla, the long emarginate upper lip, and the very small lobes of the 
lower lip. It is most nearly allied to G.faucialis, from which it differs in the 
leaves being more round, the flowers smaller, the flower-stalks longer, the base of 
the upper lip of the corolla as wide as its apex, the narrow orifice of the tube, and 
the truncated narrow middle lobe of the lower lip." 
A more popular and easy method of recognising this species among all its con- 
geners, is in the peculiar lowness and closeness of its habitude, and the great size 
of its foliage. This last is commonly found very near the base of the stem, and 
clothes it far more completely, and with less intervals, than any other Gesnera with 
which we are acquainted. The stalks of its flowers are likewise usually covered 
with a conspicuous red or reddish crimson down. 
