68 
FLOmCULTURAL NOTICES. 
NEW OR BEAUTIFUL PLANTS FIGURED IN THE LEADING BOTANICAL PERIODICALS 
FOR MARCH. 
Achime'nes peduncula'ta. “ This is one of the many fine new plants introduced to our collec- 
tions through the instrumentality of the Horticultural Society, by their Collector, Mr. Hartweg. 
It was found in shaded, woody places at Santa Maria, Guatemala, and is now tolerably well known 
in our stoves, from the liberality with which it has been distributed by the Society.” It grows 
about two feet high, and every part of the plant is more or less hairy. It has large, handsome 
flowers, nearly two inches long, of a bright red colour, the limb richly spotted with a darker hue. 
They are “ more like those of some Gesnera, than of Achimenes.” Bot. Mag. 407 7 . 
Arctosto'phylos pu'ngens. “ This seems to be a common Mexican shrub, for it occurs in 
most collections from that country. In appearance it is extremely like Arctosaphylos tomentosa; 
and an insufficient examination of dried specimens led to the belief, that it is a mere variety of 
that plant. The fresh specimens show, however, that in addition to a want of the long beard-like 
hairs of the branches of A. tomentosa , this species has the awns of the anthers longer than the 
anthers themselves, and only seven cells to the ovary instead of ten.” Mr. Hartweg met with it 
in Mexico, at an elevation of 7000 to 9000 feet above the level of the sea, and transmitted speci- 
mens to the Horticultural Society. He found it common about Guanaxuato, Real del Monte, 
Bolanos, and Oaxaco, where it forms a shrub six or seven feet high, with a reddish brown stem 
and branches, and very hard wood. The natives call it Pinguica, or Manzanilla. “ Up to the 
present time it has proved, in cultivation, to be a neat little half-hardy, or possibly hardy, ever- 
green shrub, growing two or three feet high. But it is one of those uncertain plants which will 
die suddenly during the hot weather in July and August, especially after a few hours’ rain, if 
planted in the open border ; although it may have been previously in the highest state of health 
and vigour.” Bot. Reg. 17. 
Be'rberis pa'llida. Mr. Hartweg has added seven new species to the number of the pinnated, 
or ash-leaved section of the Berberis introduced to this country, among which is the present. “ In 
its native country,” says Dr. Lindley, “ it forms an evergreen shrub from five to six feet high, and 
is found but sparingly near Cardonal and Zimapan, on mountains thinly covered with Pinus 
Llaveana. Mr. Hartweg also met with it near the hot springs of Atotonilco El Grande, but no- 
where in any quantity. That gentleman informs us, that it is easily distinguished by its dry, hard 
leaves, and pale yellow flowers ; and that the wood is also of a lighter colour, than in any other 
species. In our gardens its appearance is vastly improved, and it will probably prove as hardy 
as others.” u Being at present extremely rare, it has not been tried in the open border ; but the 
appearance of the plant leads us to suppose that it may be, at least, as hardy as B. fascicularis. 
Up to the present time it has been kept in a cold pit in the garden of the Horticultural Society. 
It may be increased, like the other pinnated kinds, by grafting on the common B. aquifolium , 
either in spring or autumn, when the young shoots are nearly hard ; but hitherto the plant has 
not shown the least disposition to make any lateral shoots, although three feet high. It will no 
doubt be increased hereafter by seeds, which are likely to be produced freely when the plants get 
older : as yet, the berries have had no seeds in them. It flowers during the months of January 
and February, if kept in the greenhouse, and in July it ripens its long erect spikes of deep purple 
berries.” Bot. Reg. 16. 
Bolbophy'llum macra'nthum. “ This singular plant was imported by Messrs. Loddiges from 
Sincapore, and is closely allied to both B. leopardinum and affine. From each it differs in its 
much more fleshy and larger flowers, whose stalk is considerably longer than the petiole. The 
flowers appear in March, and expand so flat, that they seem as if they had been pressed between 
paper. In the centre they are a pale lemon colour, but towards the tips they are much mottled 
with dark chocolate-coloured spots. Like the rest of the genus, it succeeds best when tied to a 
block of wood, and suspended to a rafter in a moist stove. If the wood is charred enough to burn 
off the bark, the block will be found to answer the purpose much better ; and all insects that 
harbour about it will be destroyed.” Bot. Reg. 13. 
