HYDROLEA SPINOSA. 
( Spiny Hydrolea. ) 
Class. 
PENTANDRIA. 
Order. 
DIGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
HYDROLEACEJE. 
Generic Character. — Calyx permanent, of five 
sepals. Corolla rotately campanulate. Stamens in- 
serted in the tube of the corolla. Styles two ; stigmas 
depressedly capitate. Capsule two-celled ; dissepiment 
placentiferous in the middle ; placentas terete, spongy. 
Specific Character. — Plant a dwarf shrub, ever- 
green, downy and clammy. Spines axillary, spreading> 
villous. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acute, attenuated at 
both ends, nearly sessile.. Peduncles five to six-flow- 
ered, villous. Flowers terminal, sub-corymbose. Se- 
pals liuear-lanceolate, joined at the base, villous and 
ciliated. Corolla blue, exceeding the calyx. Capsule 
glabrous.— -Don'* Gard. and Bot. 
Synonyms.— Hydrolea trigyna. 
It is not a little surprising, if the present plant has been making one of collec- 
tions since the recorded time of its introduction, (1791,) that it has been so long in 
finding a place in the parterre, for which only it can be regarded as truly appropriate, 
and where, if it should do well, it will prove an acquisition. But we scarcely expect 
it has continued to exist with us from the period in question till the present, though 
without evidence of its having been lately re-introduced. We may leave, however, 
a consideration of these points, as it is sufficient, in giving an illustration of a 
plant similar to Hydrolea spinosa, in ancientness, beauty of floral organs, and for 
probable usefulness, that it exists, especially if it does so as abundantly as it does. 
Naturally, it is stated to be found in South America, and to grow in moist situa- 
tions, by streams and rivulets. Under culture the treatment it receives and flourishes 
upon does not indicate that it is a thirsty plant ; it grows freely, and flowers equally 
so, in the greenhouse, without being dealt with in any manner differently to other 
greenhouse plants. Generally, however, it is viewed as a stove plant, and favoured 
with such a temperature as the inmates of that erection usually experience ; we 
have known a large, profusely branching and flowering bush the result. But for all 
this, it is not fit for or scarcely worth cultivating as a pot plant, suitable as it is for 
a mass in the parterre. For this last purpose its habit renders it very appropriate, 
and the number and colour of its flowers exceedingly so. There cannot be a doubt 
about its success in the open air, though it has heretofore been looked upon and 
catalogued as an inhabitant of the stove. 
