66 
LOBELIA DENSIFLOEA. 
It is a native of Brazil, and was received in 1846 by Messrs. Rollisson from M. Pinel, 
a botanist and collector of plants, residing in the Brazils. It was introduced under the 
name we have adopted, given, no doubt, on account of the lahellum, resembling a when 
spread out. 
We see no objection to its retaining the name of O.Jiahelliferum, more particularly when 
it is considered that it was so named by M. Pinel, who first found it, and who has no doubt 
described it under that appellation in his unpublished works. 
In cultivation it should be potted in turfy heath-mould, mixed with potsherds and 
chopped sphagnum, filling the pot half full of drainage, and elevating the soil in the pots, 
in the same manner as for Stanhopeas ; or it may be attached to a block. 
It requires abundance of heat, water, and humidity, during the season of growth, and 
to be shaded from the violence of the sun's rays ; and in the time of its torpidity, it should 
be kept nearly dry. Increase is effected in the usual way. 
The generic name is derived from oglws, a tumour ; the plants belonging to this genus 
having warts, tumours, or other excrescences at the base of the lahellum. 
LOBELIA DENSIFLORA. (Dense-flowered Lobelia. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. Nat. Order, LobeliacE/E. (Lobeliads, Vcg. King.) 
Generic Character.— CaZ^/jr five-toothed. CoroWa tubular, 
irregular, cleft from the top of the tube into long divisions. 
Stamens having the anthers united and bearded. Style 
simple. Capsule two-celled. 
Specific Character. — Plant herbaceous. Stem obtusely 
angular, glaucous, smooth, rising about six inches in height. 
Leaves ovate-oblong, acute, denticulate, wavy at the margins, 
sessile, glabrous. Raceme terminal, leafy, dense, about four 
inches long. Corolla cobalt-blue ; two upper segments 
lanceolate, three lower ones oblong-lanceolate. 
Authorities and Synonym es.— Lobelia densiflora, Mag. 
Gard. 4- Bot. i., t. 67. 
Amongst the numerous species of Lobelia known and described, we find no description 
agreeing with the subject of our present plate, which we observed blooming in the Nursery of 
Messrs. Knight and Perry, King's Road, Chelsea, in 
October, 1848, at which time we made our present 
drawing. 
It is a plant of considerable beauty, being very 
dwarf, seldom exceeding eight inches in height, half 
of which forms the dense pyramidal spike of intense 
blue flowers ; the lower part of the spike usually 
measures about two inches in diameter, and tapers to 
a point at the extremity ; the foliage is of a bright 
and lively green, and not being coarse, it admirably 
contrasts with the deep blue of the flowers. 
The plant is hardy, or nearly so, and if its shoots 
can be induced to spread along the ground, it will 
prove an excellent kind for planting in small flower- 
beds in the open air, being of low growth, and from 
the colour of the flowers, very conspicuous. 
It may be propagated by division of the roots, and 
should be grown in a light rich soil. 
The generic name is given in honour of Mathew Lobel, author of various works, and 
particularly that called " Icones Plantarum." He was born at Lisle in 1538, became 
physician and botanist to James I., and died in London in 1616. 
