LOASA HERBERTII. 
(Mr. Herbert's Loasa.) 
Class. Order, 
POLYADELPHIA. POLYANDRIA. 
Natural Order. 
LOASACEiE. 
Generh: Character. — See p, 7 of the present volume. | and flowers most like those of L. pentlandica, hut with 
Specific Character.— Plant a hybrid, with leaves | the laxer and more climbing habit of L. lateritia. 
At the seventh page of this volume, we gave a figure of Loasa pentlandica, 
and those who have our fifth volume will find a representation of L. lateritia at 
page 77- The plant which we now depict is a hybrid, between those two species, 
and a glance at the plates of each will show that it is most essentially like 
L. pentlandica, in regard both to the vigour and handsomeness of its leaves, and 
the greater size and deeper colour of its blossoms. 
We stated, however, in the article which accompanies the drawing of L. pent- 
landica, that its habit was hardly loose enough for a climber, and that it was best 
adapted for planting in beds. Still, it can scarcely be questioned that a plant, the 
disposition of whose flowers is so very graceful that it would be hidden if the 
specimens were grown in masses, would be more agreeable as a climber ; and now 
that it has been hybridized with L. lateritia, and the more rambling, twining 
nature of that species has been happily incorporated with it, to just such an extent 
as to render it sufficiently diffuse, it has a powerful claim on the culturist's notice. 
It will be seen from the two figures, that the foliage of L. Herbertii is less 
wrinkled or crumpled than that of L. pentlandica. The leaves of the latter species, 
though of a peculiarly deep green tint, always seem contracted, as if by disease ; and 
the stems also appear similarly repressed. In L. Herbertii, on the other hand, 
with an equally verdant aspect, there is a freeness, and boldness, and healthiness, 
which give the idea of pleasure that ever attends the examination of a plant in 
favourable conditions. In short, it has the better features of both its parents, with 
none of their defects, save the like capacity of stinging, which resides in its 
numerous bristly hairs. 
As a greenhouse climber, it is well worthy of regard. Trained to a barrel- 
